The Chronic Consumer

If you’re anything like me, then you probably get invited to anywhere between 1-5 baby and wedding showers per year. Having to purchase gifts for each of these events can really add up, particularly when times are tight, as they are now.

Here’s a great tip to keep in mind when you’re shopping for wedding or baby gifts: you don’t have to make your purchases from the store where the intended recipients are registered. Simply take a look at the registry to find out what kinds of items the recipient is hoping to get, then shop elsewhere for the same (or equivalent) products at lower prices.

Let’s face it: most couples or parents-to-be usually register at stores that they don’t shop at regularly. Instead, they tend to go up a level or two to get “better” gifts or things that they wouldn’t ordinarily buy for themselves.

There’s nothing wrong with that practice, but it does make things a bit harder for those who are doing the shopping. So instead of buying a towel set from Macy’s, why not get the same set from an online auction or discount site for a lower price? Instead of getting a Waterford crystal punch bowl, why not get an off-brand crystal bowl for much less?

If it’s the thought that truly counts in gift-giving, then the recipients shouldn’t have a problem receiving equivalent items. If they do, well, they can always exchange the item for something else!

I love audiobooks and I love freebies, so when I heard that the audio version of The World is Flat by Thomas L. Friedman is being given away for free for a limited time, I immediately signed up to participate.

First published in 2005 and updated again in 2006, The World is Flat is a bestselling nonfiction work about the way globalization has changed the economic structure of the world forever. The book is often discussed and referenced, and so has been on my “To Read” list for a long time, but I’ve never quite gotten around to tackling it yet. Now that I can get the entire audibook for free, however, you can bet I’ll be listening very soon!

To get your free audio download of The World is Flat, you have to go to http://www.thomaslfriedman.com/giveaway and simply enter your name and a valid email address. You’ll receive a confirmation email with a validation link that you also have to click. A short time later, you’ll get a link to Part 1 of the audiobook, which you can then download and load on your MP3 player.

The links to parts 2 and 3 will be sent to you in subsequent emails (I believe it’s one per day, though I’m not sure).

Anyway, this limited time offer ends on August 4, so be sure to sign up before then. Free is ALWAYS the right price!!