Josh Elledge - Chief Executive Angel
Graduation gift giving can add up, especially if you have several graduates you are honoring. Here are some ideas to help ease the financial impact on your early summer budget. 
Free greeting cards: About.com lists numerous online locations for free printable graduation cards. Save the cost of a card by printing out one of several choices available here.
Inexpensive greeting cards: If you’d rather get a traditional greeting card for your graduate, still skip the expensive selections at a regular store. Hit the dollar store for a large selection at $1 each, or often two for just $1.
Leverage special offers: Watch for offers for bonus gift cards or similar giveaways when doing your normal grocery, clothing, or other shopping. Don’t forget to check restaurants and gas stations as well. Look for offers where you receive a free bonus gift card or a free gift with the purchase of a certain amount. These offers could yield a free gift for a graduate, or at least reduce the overall cost of the gift, or even several gifts.
Check your points balance: If you belong to any kind of points program, whether it be your gas station, your favorite store, or another program, you could have enough points to get a great gift at no cost to you. The redemption catalog of most points programs offer gift cards or practical items that would be perfect for a graduate headed to college in the fall.
Peruse the dollar store: The dollar store offers hundreds of items great for a graduate. A few suggestions are laundry supplies, such as mesh bags; small bags of candies and snacks; and other household and personal items a graduate may need for college. At only $1 each, you can put together a nice gift basket or bag for less than $10.
Hit the clearance racks or leverage coupons: Shop using special savings offers (such as offers from JCPenney or Kohl’s for money off a certain total purchase) or hunt for clearance offers on items a graduate can use once on their own, such as towels and wash cloths or bed linens. A savvy deal hunter can often snag a nice gift for $15 or less.
Take advantage of store offers: Often pharmacy stores and regular grocery stores will offer special savings on health care and beauty items perfect for graduation gifts. Sometimes you can even net things for free. Use the store’s weekly specials for cheap or free items, or even take advantage of BOGO (buy one, get one free) offers for items you need anyway. Purchase for yourself, and save the free one for a gift.
Go secondhand hunting: This may seem an odd suggestion, but not all secondhand items are used. Hit secondhand stores and garage sales for new or nearly new items that would still make a great gift. One suggestion is a book that teaches necessary life skills, such as understanding finances; or one that offers spiritual encouragement.
