Budget-friendly Thinker Gifts

'Private schools are really expensive these days - Why don't you home-school him?'

"Is this to make me feel bad for not getting you that laptop?"

'Office' block tightening it's belt

"These are the principal qualities we're looking for in our new recruits."

'We are entering an era of thrift, so in place of champagne and canapes, there will be a jumble sale.'

'You raised the price of air to 50c!' 'Inflation.'

"He doesn't fiscally stimulate me anymore."

DIY marriage counseling.

"I'm taking your advice and saving my money!"

"I don't know...seems like budget cuts have gone pretty far this year."

'Let's go home and come back next year. It's Ground Hog Deficit!'

'Margaret, what are we doing on this cruise ship that we couldn't have done at home, cheaper?'

'They never quite finished it - it was probably over budget.'

'Phone for help? Are you mad? Have you any idea how much it costs to use a mobile abroad?'

"To keep warm in winter you're looking at a new central heating system costing £20,000."

"Let's start with a couple of glasses of water and if that goes well I'll order two coffees."

'So far, all I can tell you for sure is how much I've charged you.'

"I can't believe I'm paying $5,000 a month for you to stream Intro to Psychology when I get all of TV for $15.99."

The spend is high

'Withdrawal symptoms.'

"Years of penny-pinching really paid off. The price of copper just went up again."

"I've been told to go through all our expenses...cut out any fat, get rid of any costly perks!"

"I'm afraid your allowance didn't survive the latest round of budget cuts."

"Sure, you can buy them another round, but is this really how you want to spend your MacArthur Grant?"

"We could have a Do-It-Yourself wedding! Your friends could do the cake and flowers, Uncle Jim could do the photos..."

Family planning - 'I was thinking something low maintenance.'

Martin hated dining alone – but loved the savings.

"No one can afford to eat us anymore."

Cost cutting construction ideas that failed: using rhubarb instead of rebar in concrete.

"Could you hold off clipping your coupons until I've finished reading the paper?"

"I know we have to cut costs, but is bringing only one of each a good idea?"

'Before we unload him, he'd like a written price support.'

'He's studying to go to university' - Student reading book; 'HOW TO LIVE ON NO MONEY'

"C'mere, space heater."