PRACTICAL FINANCIAL GRADUATION GIFTS FOR COLLEGE BOUND STUDENTS
When students graduate high school they get things for college, money, gift cards, clothing, bedding.
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When students graduate college they get more money and gift cards, jewelry, kitchen appliances, maybe even a big party.
If you’ve landed on this post, the truth is you’re not looking for the typical graduation gifts. You’re looking for a practical graduation gift, one that will keep on giving for years to come.
Here are a bunch of affordable graduation gift ideas that teach the graduate in your life how to better manage their finances, save money, and set themselves up for success.
FINANCIAL EDUCATION
BOOKS
If I could give all new graduates just one gift it would be one of these money books.
They explain financial terminology in a way anyone can understand, have actionable steps to improving one’s financial situation, and are surprisingly fun.
Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover
This book is one I would have enjoyed reading even in high school. Dave includes a bunch of personal excerpts and different success stories that you can truly relate to. Dave follows a simple 7 step plan to getting out of debt, building wealth, and savings.
Another easy to understand read that focuses on building assets and wealth.
Here is an excerpt from one reviewer:
I read this book about 11 years ago at 27 years old , had no money, I followed the advice in this book and now have 15 rental properties paid off free and clear, my assets more than cover all my expenses….People always ask me about success. I tell them to read this book…whats crazy is that they don’t read it. You can lead a horse to water but can’t make it drink. The book changed my life and it will change yours…
Robert Kiyosaki also wrote a book specifically for teens called “Wisdom from Rich Dad, Poor Dad for Teens: The Secrets about Money–That You Don’t Learn in School!“
This book was specifically written for people in their 20s. It will teach new graduates how to automate their money and invest to build wealth. Something a lot of people, not just those in their 20s, fear.
Out of these 4 books, I really couldn’t pick a favorite. Each person is different. I just really like this one because although it was originally written over 20 years ago, it is still very relevant. There has been an update.
It distinguishes the differences between the wealthy and those that just pretend to be.
READ "THE MILLIONAIRE NEXT DOOR"
Read this post for more of the best personal finance books of all time.
Audiobooks
When I was younger I didn’t care much for reading. Or should I say nothing other than cookbooks, mysteries and romance novels lol.
Audiobooks would have been my jam if I was smarter.
If your new graduate isn’t a big reader consider getting them an Audible Gift Membership.
FINANCIAL PLANNER
Tracking your spending and saving is something that should be taught, but most of the time we learn through experience and making mistakes.
Having a financial planner to organize your bills, income, and savings is important. Even if the person you’re giving the planner to doesn’t own property yet or have a lot of bills, developing the habit of tracking early is a must.
COOKING
My older sister didn’t start cooking until after she left home.
Cooking your own meals will save you a ton of money. It’s one of the ways we cut our grocery bill. Meal prepping also saves a lot of time and money.
COOK BOOK
Here are the best books for new cooks.
The “I Don’t Know How to Cook” Book
COOKING CLASS
Check out Groupon or you local recreation center for deals on cooking classes.
KITCHEN APPLIANCES
If I had an Instant Pot or Air Fryer when I was in college or fresh out I would have saved a boat load of money because food was my biggest expense.
IRA ACCOUNT
Open up a traditional or Roth IRA account for the graduating student.
Retirement may seem like a long ways away to them, but that little bit of money that you use to get them started will grow exponentially in 20, 30, 40 years.
STOCKS
If you’re familiar with the stock market, maybe you want to buy a few individual stocks for a graduation gift to get their investments started.
If you purchase a stock that pays dividends, they’ll get money every year or every quarter.
This will also push them to learn about making their own investments.
MONEY COURSE/BUDGETING
If I could have paid someone when I graduated college to teach me important financial lessons I would have.
Money tips my husband learned from a real-life millionaire while on a fishing trip are the things I want to know.
When I graduated college I really only had my student loans to worry about. No credit card debt at the time, or car loan, or mortgage. When my husband and I were dating there were NO limits on our spending. We would spend over $800 a month on groceries for just the two of us. *FACE PALM*
Instead of spending money we didn’t need to, we could have been saving more for a down payment.
Stress the importance of budgeting despite “debt to income” ratio with these books.
How to Manage Your Money When You Don’t Have Any <— YES!
How to Budget: Control Your Money Before It Controls You
SUBSCRIPTION
My favorite magazine subscriptions used to be Cosmopolitan and Shape.
Now they’re Kiplinger and Money magazine. Both helped me with my stock market investments. Currently up a few thousand dollars so well worth the less than $2 an issue.
I had always been afraid of losing my hard earned money, but they really break everything down. It’s about educating yourself.
They have articles on retirement, how to save more money, side hustle ideas, and so much more.
A subscription is great because not only are they very affordable, but you get the most up to date information as it relates to finances today.
I hope you enjoyed my list of money-smart graduation gifts.
These practical gifts will teach your loved one skills that will help them for the rest of their lives.
What money-smart gifts have you received or would you have liked to have received when you graduated college?
Don’t forget to pin for later!
