Cheap Revolution

9 Creative & Affordable Gift Ideas for Employees

Running a small business is tough these days. During uncertain economic times, you need to be constantly keeping an eye on your bottom line.  Although you want to show your employees they are valued and appreciated, you need to do it on a budget. But just because you are looking for ‘cheap’ gift ideas for your employees doesn’t mean you have to give them the impression that you’re cheap. 

There are several ways you can show appreciation to your employees without breaking the bank. Here are nine gift ideas that are both affordable and will make your employees happy:

1. Free Movie Tickets

Fandango.com is a great place to get movie gift cards for employees. A night out at the movies for two with popcorn and drink in most parts of the country for around $25. If your employees are movie lovers, this is a gift that is sure to please. 

2. Get Your Employees Fit in 2013 with FitBit 

FitBit.com has a device called the Zip Wireless Activity Tracker (available for $59.95) that tracks all your steps taken, calories burned, and distance traveled throughout the day. These stats can be kept online and on certain smartphones like the IPhone 4S or 5. FitBit’s Activity Tracker keeps people motivated and moving toward their fitness goals. And it does so in a fun way. We all know that the reason most people do not go to the gym even after spending money on a membership is lack of motivation, and this device helps solve that problem.

8 Last-Minute Christmas Gift Ideas For Entrepreneurs

With Christmas around the corner, entrepreneurs are scrambling to compile Christmas gift ideas for friends and loved ones. Since the stress of finding the best gifts for Christmas strangles the spirit of giving out of us, we tend to wait until the last minute to make our purchases. Not only do we wait until the last minute, but we also have a tough time finding hours in our day to go out and shop.

If you're an entrepreneur that fits this description, please keep reading. To help simplify the process of finding last minute Christmas gifts, we at The Cheap Revolution decided to arrange a list of Christmas gift ideas for your convenience. 

12 Cheap Employee Incentives that Will Pay Off for Your Company

 

Every business is looking for ways to create happier and more productive employees. However, with the economic recovery still slower than expected, many companies don’t have the budgets they once did for employee incentives. In fact, many businesses are simply trying to survive.

Still, with some creativity, you can come with several affordable ways to incent your employees and make them more loyal and more productive.

Gift Ideas for Internet Entrepreneurs

 

The holidays are fast-approaching. If you're still looking for gift ideas for your friends or if you're having trouble coming up with a wish list of your own, check out the 13 gift ideas below for inspiration.  These ideas are listed by price, with the cheapest appearing first.

1. Business Magazines - Magazines are inexpensive and easy gifts to give. The most popular business magazines are Entrepreneur Magazine, Forbes, Inc., Business Week, Fast Company, and Fortune. Prices range from $11/year to $45.97/year depending on the number of issues published.

 

1. Business Books - See our previous post about the top must read books for entrepreneurs for gift ideas.
   
   
2. Bluetooth Headset  - Entrepreneurs are always on the go -€“ whether they're heading to investor meetings, vendor meetings, or networking events - which is why this is such a great gift. There's one particular headset, the Motorola HS850, going for a steal at Amazon for only $23.75.
   
   

   

3. SanDisk 2GB Cruzer Titanium USB Drive - A flash drive allows entrepreneurs the ability to store and transfer their confidential files easily and quickly. This heavy-duty drive has a casing that is crush resistant to over 2000 lbs. Another benefit is its retractable USB port which eliminates the need for cover caps. The current Amazon price is $26.90.

    

4. Ergo Comfort Adjustable Footrest - This is a must have for entrepreneurs with feet and back problems. Its swivel action allows for instant repositioning of the users feet and legs when sitting in front of the computer. The Amazon current price is just under $28.

    

5. Leather Portfolio or Bag -€“ These gifts come in handy when entrepreneurs need a more professional look. Find a great price on eBay.

    

6. Logitech Wireless Keyboard and Mouse -€“ It seems like entrepreneurs spend more than half their time in front of a computer, especially in the concept and launch stage of their startup. This wireless keyboard and mouse provides convenience, comfort and style. Its Amazon current price is $49.99 and its eBay auction price ranges from $20 to $40.

    

7. Fellowes Power Shredder -€“ Almost all entrepreneurs I've encountered are paranoid about protecting their ideas and paper shredders can provide them with an extra sense of security. This particular one creates confetti shreds and includes a 5-gallon basket for easy dumping. Its current Amazon price is $45.99.

    

8. Apple 1GB iPod - Great gift for those entrepreneurs that are always on the go. Help them pass the time with an iPod. Check out both Amazon and eBay for the best price.

    

9. Wall Street Journal Subscription -€“ Great for checking on competitors and reading the latest business news and trends. A six-month subscription ranges from $129 to $169.

    

10. NeatReceipts Scanner -€“ This scanner alleviates the hassle of keeping track of expenses and business cards and is a great way to prepare for taxes. Works with QuickBooks, Quicken, MS Money, Excel and many more. Scroll down this Amazon page to see how it works. Again, shop around for the best price. The prices I've seen range from $175 to $209.

     

11. Blackberry Phone -€“ All entrepreneurs need some kind of PDA and the Blackberry is the best selling by far. It's best to get one with a phone plan but if you're out of luck, check out both Amazon and eBay for the best price.
12. Amazon Kindle - Recently introduced, it's a portable reading device that has the ability to wirelessly download books, blogs, magazines, and newspapers. It's a great way to pass up time while reading business books/magazines, catching up on entrepreneurship blogs or the Wall Street Journal. It's biggest benefit is its paper-like display that is nothing like the glare of a computer screen. Plus, there is no PC or syncing needed. For more information, watch a video demonstration on Amazon. Note: This item is temporarily sold out due to heavy demand and is shipped on a first-come, first served basis. Its currently only available on Amazon for $399.
    
    

By: Yasmine