Gifts that keep giving: Finance edition

Choosing a great gift isn't easy, especially when so many people already seem to have everything they want. Plus, with the cost of living biting hard, adding more "stuff" to their lives might not hit the mark. So, why not mix it up this year and go for gifts that can help them save money or even make some? Check out these gift ideas with a financial twist to suit a range of budgets.

Gifts that can help save money

• Bill Fairies gift voucher: This can be a great way to ease someone's financial load. You can choose any amount between $25 and $1,500 and vouchers can be used for a wide range of bills, including phone and internet, gas and electricity, transport and tolls, and even home or car repairs. 
• Supermarket paid membership program: A Coles Plus Saver membership ($7 a month) or Woolworths Everyday Extra membership ($35 in the first year) can help your loved one save 10% off one supermarket shop every month - up to $50 a month. Plus they can double their rewards points.
• Streaming service voucher: When budgets are stretched, little luxuries like entertainment are often first on the chopping block. A voucher for services such as Netflix, Stan, Binge or Disney will let your loved ones enjoy their favourite shows and movies without the guilt of extra spending.

Gifts that can help make money

• Financial literacy game: Board games like Monopoly, Game of Life and Payday are a fun way to help kids, teens - and even adults - learn valuable money lessons and build smart money habits.
• A finance book: There's no shortage of personal finance and investing books that can help your loved ones build their knowledge. You can go for a classic such as Benjamin Graham's The Intelligent Investor, something newer such as How Not to Lose $1 Million released this year by our own John Addis or even a biography of a well-known investor such as Warren Buffett.
• An investment course or workshop: This can be a great option to help someone develop their financial skills. Of course, we have to plug our own Bootcamp here. It costs $99 and covers everything budgeting and saving to investment strategies and investor psychology. 
• A stock subscription service: There are a number of paid services offering research, insights and recommendations on Aussie and global shares (warning - another plug coming your way) including Intelligent Investor. An Essentials subscription will cost you $33 a month or $330 when paid annually, while a Premium subscription will set you back $110 a month or $1,100 a year.
• An investment in shares or an ETF: What better gift to give than one that actually has the potential to grow in value? You'll need at least $500 (plus brokerage) to get started unless you use a fractional investing platform such as Sharesies, CommSec Pocket or Raiz. Sharesies even lets you buy a gift voucher from $5 to $2,000 so the recipient can choose their own investment.