Is your dad a beacon of wisdom,
filled with clever axioms that help guide you through everyday life? As
much as you resist the notion now, there will come a day when you
reflexively utter one of his corny jokes at the dinner table.
While every lesson doesn't
necessarily hit the mark, you can use Father's Day as an opportunity to
show his words haven't fallen on deaf ears. If your Dad espouses
practicality in everything he does, consider a few of these thoughtful
yet useful gifts that are sure to make him proud.
1. Smartphone Upgrade
Fathers are constantly making due with outdated tools and last-year's technology in the name of practical spending. One of the most common sacrifices dads make is on their cell phone technology. They spend another year with a flip phone so teenage sons and daughters can use the iPhone upgrade to stay in the social loop. Bring Dad into the modern age by giving him free reign with this year's upgrade.
Fathers are constantly making due with outdated tools and last-year's technology in the name of practical spending. One of the most common sacrifices dads make is on their cell phone technology. They spend another year with a flip phone so teenage sons and daughters can use the iPhone upgrade to stay in the social loop. Bring Dad into the modern age by giving him free reign with this year's upgrade.
2. Car Detailing
One favorite Father's Day present my dad still requests is a good car cleaning. This is an easy task kids can tackle with some simple instruction, and saves serious money over a professional service. Should your dad have a hands-off policy when it comes to his ride, you can still pick up the the detailing supplies and offer some assistance (with his careful supervision, of course).
One favorite Father's Day present my dad still requests is a good car cleaning. This is an easy task kids can tackle with some simple instruction, and saves serious money over a professional service. Should your dad have a hands-off policy when it comes to his ride, you can still pick up the the detailing supplies and offer some assistance (with his careful supervision, of course).
3. Streaming Video Service
With Redbox taking over as king of the movie-rental industry, classic films can be hard to come by. That's why the ideal gift for the movie buff may be a streaming video service. Netflix, Amazon Prime and Hulu are all popular choices, and cost less than $10 per month. Each service includes a free trial, so you're not locked into any expense if it doesn't have the selection Dad is looking for.
With Redbox taking over as king of the movie-rental industry, classic films can be hard to come by. That's why the ideal gift for the movie buff may be a streaming video service. Netflix, Amazon Prime and Hulu are all popular choices, and cost less than $10 per month. Each service includes a free trial, so you're not locked into any expense if it doesn't have the selection Dad is looking for.
4. Tool Cabinet or Workbench
The garage is often portrayed as Dad's sanctuary; a place where he can go to be alone with his projects, tools and a cold beer. If your garage was anything like mine growing up, there was barely enough room to walk through, let alone build anything. Help your dad reclaim the space this Father's Day with a pegboard to organize his tools. They're relatively easy to assemble, and also create a lot of extra space to work with.
The garage is often portrayed as Dad's sanctuary; a place where he can go to be alone with his projects, tools and a cold beer. If your garage was anything like mine growing up, there was barely enough room to walk through, let alone build anything. Help your dad reclaim the space this Father's Day with a pegboard to organize his tools. They're relatively easy to assemble, and also create a lot of extra space to work with.
5. Comfy Chairs
After all of the soccer practices and dance recitals your average Dad sits through, you might as well offer him some comfortable accommodations. Pick up a comfy camping chair that's easily portable and comes with all of the bells-and-whistles such as cupholders and footrests. It's probably worth buying a pair to ensure Mom doesn't usurp his new seat.
After all of the soccer practices and dance recitals your average Dad sits through, you might as well offer him some comfortable accommodations. Pick up a comfy camping chair that's easily portable and comes with all of the bells-and-whistles such as cupholders and footrests. It's probably worth buying a pair to ensure Mom doesn't usurp his new seat.
6. Photo Printer
In today's digital age, music, movies and photos are all stored away on a hard drive somewhere. This creates a problem when Dad wants to pull out the old family photos to prove he did indeed nurture you. Help indulge his trips down memory lane and consider gifting him a photo printer. Since ink cartridges are going to be the present's primary expense, use Inkjet Willy to load him up on cheap ink in advance.
In today's digital age, music, movies and photos are all stored away on a hard drive somewhere. This creates a problem when Dad wants to pull out the old family photos to prove he did indeed nurture you. Help indulge his trips down memory lane and consider gifting him a photo printer. Since ink cartridges are going to be the present's primary expense, use Inkjet Willy to load him up on cheap ink in advance.
7. Razor Subscription Service
Despite doing it nearly every day for the last 30 years, shaving remains the bane of my dad's existence. He constantly complains about the feel of an electric shave, but the expensive markups on razors are also an outrage. If you recognize any of these common complaints, relieve him of the burden by signing up for a razor subscription service. Dollar Shave Club offers a variety of blades delivered to your door, and they're a fraction of the price you'd pay in stores.
Despite doing it nearly every day for the last 30 years, shaving remains the bane of my dad's existence. He constantly complains about the feel of an electric shave, but the expensive markups on razors are also an outrage. If you recognize any of these common complaints, relieve him of the burden by signing up for a razor subscription service. Dollar Shave Club offers a variety of blades delivered to your door, and they're a fraction of the price you'd pay in stores.
8. Sports Mini-Plan
Unless you manage to get in on the ground level, securing season tickets for popular sports teams comes with a lot of expense, and usually years on a waiting list. To give Dad the season-ticket experience for less, consider a mini-plan. Most teams offer them in four or 10-game packages, making the per-ticket cost much less than the box office charges. Plus, each child can attend a game with Dad, giving him coveted one-on-one time.
Unless you manage to get in on the ground level, securing season tickets for popular sports teams comes with a lot of expense, and usually years on a waiting list. To give Dad the season-ticket experience for less, consider a mini-plan. Most teams offer them in four or 10-game packages, making the per-ticket cost much less than the box office charges. Plus, each child can attend a game with Dad, giving him coveted one-on-one time.
Andrea Woroch is a
nationally-recognized consumer and money-saving expert who helps
consumers live on less without radically changing their lifestyles. From
smart spending tips to personal finance advice, Andrea transforms
everyday consumers into savvy shoppers. She has been featured among top
news outlets such as Good Morning America, NBC's Today, MSNBC, New York Times, Kiplinger Personal Finance, CNNMoney and many more. You can follow her on Twitter for daily savings advice and tips.
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