I like the group gift.

Recession Mama Michele Ashamalla: Get a bunch of people together to get something really nice. Or sometimes, just a gift card in a much larger denomination than you would give alone. It is a little bit of a hassle to do the collecting, though. In fact, I spend a fair amount of time trying to get out of that job.

I found a website that does it for you -- Edivvy.com. Besides a big variety of gift cards, the site lets you divvy up computers, televisions, dishwashers, refrigerators -- even a car. You decide how it is going to be divvied up -- by number of people, or amount, and then it keeps track as people sign in to be a part of the gift. Prices are retail -- but even so, I see a couple of ways this turns out to be "a saving."

The first, of course, is a saving of your time and energy, and the next is if the site is running a promotion. The one that just expired was a $25 Visa gift card for setting up a gift. Once $100 is raised toward the gift, you get the card mailed to you upon request.

The next promotion that comes up, I'm in. Maybe a special one for momlogic readers? I have to organize a teacher gift for the holidays ...

A former state deputy attorney general and current stay-at-home mom, Recession Mama Michele Ashamalla has three kids and ten years of experience stretching one salary to cover the necessities and more. She's all about saving money whenever you can, so you have it to spend on whatever you want!