Em getting her first "REAL" Bible
Bert heading off to his first day of seminary ...
Monday, September 29, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Preparing for Christmas - The Cheapskate Way
Friends,
It's not too early to start thinking about Christmas. Here are some great thoughts from Mary Hunt. You can check her out at www.debtproofliving.com.
Ten Things You Can Do Now
to Get Ready for Christmas by Mary Hunt
If you have ever been plagued by consumer debt, I can nearly guarantee that over-spending at Christmas contributed greatly your debt. The problem? Procrastination. Face it, when it comes to Christmas, the longer you wait, the more you will spend.
So why do we procrastinate?
We feel overwhelmed. Holiday expectations paralyze us, so we do nothing until the only choice we have is to spend as much money as it takes to get by.
We overestimate how much time we have. Right now, Christmas seems so far away. We tell ourselves we have plenty of time!
We have to do it perfectly. Experts tell us that perfectionism is at the root of procrastination. We do nothing rather than run the risk of failing.
We say we work better under pressure. Procrastinators believe they cannot operate without that creative surge.
The way to deal with procrastination is to identify why you do it. Ask yourself: What price have I paid in the past? Do I really want to pay that price again this year? If you're not willing to go into debt again this Christmas, get started now.
1. Family photo. Whether it is for your family Christmas card or to frame for a gift, get that picture taken now.
2. Family cookbook. Compile your own personal recipe collection into a cookbook for friends and family.
3. Garden gifts. Look in your garden and see what you can make, can and freeze into gifts.
4. Schedule December. Pull out your December calendar and mark your main plans for the holiday season. You will schedule around those days, when things start to get hectic come November.
5. Learn a craft. If you love making things, you will not find a more useful or personally gratifying craft than knitting. It is quite the rage now.
6. Favorite things baskets. Chances are you have seen Oprah's annual show dedicated to showcasing her favorite things. Use that idea this year to create gift baskets for everyone.
7. Give away treasures. Consider passing on an heirloom or family treasure to the next generation.
8. Tie up memories. Compile a family photo album of all the old black and white photos you have, or pick one photo that is especially good, and frame a copy for everyone. Interview an older relative and make a CD, DVD or even a written transcript of the interview for each family member.
9. Give an experience. If you have a big extended family, buy movie tickets in bulk. Think about fun activities you could do with different people on your list: dinner for a friend, reading night and snacks with the grandkids and movie night with the grandparents.
10. Back-to-school sales. If you have kids on your holiday gift list, make sure you check out the back-to-school sales. Office supply stores nearly give away school supplies, they are that cheap!
Just think of all the money you will save, and the time you will give yourself in December because you did some of the holiday work early!
Other articles by Mary Hunt that you might enjoy:
"Start Now to Plan an All-Cash Christmas"
It's not too early to start thinking about Christmas. Here are some great thoughts from Mary Hunt. You can check her out at www.debtproofliving.com.
Ten Things You Can Do Now
to Get Ready for Christmas by Mary Hunt
If you have ever been plagued by consumer debt, I can nearly guarantee that over-spending at Christmas contributed greatly your debt. The problem? Procrastination. Face it, when it comes to Christmas, the longer you wait, the more you will spend.
So why do we procrastinate?
We feel overwhelmed. Holiday expectations paralyze us, so we do nothing until the only choice we have is to spend as much money as it takes to get by.
We overestimate how much time we have. Right now, Christmas seems so far away. We tell ourselves we have plenty of time!
We have to do it perfectly. Experts tell us that perfectionism is at the root of procrastination. We do nothing rather than run the risk of failing.
We say we work better under pressure. Procrastinators believe they cannot operate without that creative surge.
The way to deal with procrastination is to identify why you do it. Ask yourself: What price have I paid in the past? Do I really want to pay that price again this year? If you're not willing to go into debt again this Christmas, get started now.
1. Family photo. Whether it is for your family Christmas card or to frame for a gift, get that picture taken now.
2. Family cookbook. Compile your own personal recipe collection into a cookbook for friends and family.
3. Garden gifts. Look in your garden and see what you can make, can and freeze into gifts.
4. Schedule December. Pull out your December calendar and mark your main plans for the holiday season. You will schedule around those days, when things start to get hectic come November.
5. Learn a craft. If you love making things, you will not find a more useful or personally gratifying craft than knitting. It is quite the rage now.
6. Favorite things baskets. Chances are you have seen Oprah's annual show dedicated to showcasing her favorite things. Use that idea this year to create gift baskets for everyone.
7. Give away treasures. Consider passing on an heirloom or family treasure to the next generation.
8. Tie up memories. Compile a family photo album of all the old black and white photos you have, or pick one photo that is especially good, and frame a copy for everyone. Interview an older relative and make a CD, DVD or even a written transcript of the interview for each family member.
9. Give an experience. If you have a big extended family, buy movie tickets in bulk. Think about fun activities you could do with different people on your list: dinner for a friend, reading night and snacks with the grandkids and movie night with the grandparents.
10. Back-to-school sales. If you have kids on your holiday gift list, make sure you check out the back-to-school sales. Office supply stores nearly give away school supplies, they are that cheap!
Just think of all the money you will save, and the time you will give yourself in December because you did some of the holiday work early!
Other articles by Mary Hunt that you might enjoy:
"Start Now to Plan an All-Cash Christmas"
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Fall Decorating for your Computer
It's time to start decorating friends for Fall. If you want to start with a quick little pick me up, try the Better Homes and Garden website. They have pictures that you can make as your desktop wallpaper (for Free, of course). They even have pictures for all holidays and seasons.
Click here!
Enjoy!!
-- Meg D.
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