How many times have you spent a fortune on gift, which had little thought put into it, only to regret it later? There is no reason to break the bank when buying gifts for your friends, family and co-workers. Look like you've spent a mint and avoid being called cheap with one of these affordable, yet thoughtful gift ideas:

Dollar Store Items: You'll be surprised at the treasures awaiting you at your local dollar store. Unlike a few years ago, today's dollar stores have quite an impressive selection. You can purchase a bunch of items and make a nice gift basket. Or buy individual items such as decorative clasp boxes, vases and picture frames. You have a great choice of stores, too: Both Online and Off.

Ethnic Cookbook: Ethnic cookbooks are windows to creating dishes from other cultures. And they're a really inexpensive gift idea for people who enjoy cooking. Think Thai, Brazilian, German or Finnish. Discount cookbooks can often be found in the sale section of book stores for less than $10.

Regift: Have you received a gift that you don't want, don't need, or just don't like? Re-wrap it and give it to someone else as a gift! Call it tacky or call it unthinkable, but the real name for this pastime is called regifting. It's perfectly acceptable and practiced by millions! Just make sure that you don't regift an item to the person you received it from.

Photos: While you're at the dollar store, pick up a nice photo album. Fill it with personal photos that have sentimental meaning to the recipient. Want something original? Try creating a themed photo album - like through the ages, or high school days - and include copies of brochures, school announcements, newspaper articles or other tidbits that tie in with the theme and can be easily inserted into the photo pages.

Stationery: Give a letter-writing extremist a nice selection of pretty note cards, pens, decorative writing paper, envelopes and a book of stamps. Yes, you can get these items at the dollar store or visit your local Target, Wal-Mart or K-Mart for an inexpensive assortment. You can even make it into a gift basket by buying a small container that holds the writing materials nicely.

These are only a few suggestions for inexpensive gift giving. Use a little creativity and you're on your way to coming up with other terrific ideas. For instance, if you are artistically inclined you could paint a picture of a place or person that has meaning to your recipient. Or if you're a writer, you could pen a lovely poem - and even frame it. Use your skills and take advantage of your talents. Remember. The earlier you start gift planning, the more money you can save.