Thrifty Thinking: Money-Saving Gifts

Every year, parents, friends and families search tirelessly for unique, priceless gifts - this year, give a gift that helps your loved ones save money! Here are GradSave's top five money-saving gifts:

1. GradSave College Savings Gift Card - the meaningful stocking stuffer - allows parents, friends and families to simply give directly to a child's college savings plan. Think of it as the social media friendly "US Savings Bond meets Web 2.0." This is a great way to help children avoid massive student loan debts.

2. Museum Memberships - the educational gift - whether for the art museum or children museum, memberships give friends and family an educational way to spend time and to save money all year round.

3. KIVA Micro Loans Gift Card - the gift that changes lives - for the person with everything. This is an excellent way to share the wealth and send gifts overseas where it will help change the world.

4. Kid Coupons - the memory-making gift - give your child a booklet of coupons for privileges or special treatment. Some examples include "Trip to the Zoo Coupon," "Story Time Coupon" or "Extra Hour of Television Coupon."

5. Music Lessons - the harmonious gift - most everyone wishes they could play a musical instrument of some sort but never seem to get around to signing up for lessons. By gifting the lessons, your loved one will be motivated to add music and harmony to their life.

GradSave is an online college savings registry that offers a way for children and their parents to easily connect via social media and email with friends and family, who can give the gift college savings for holidays and birthdays, instead of toys or clothes.