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Money Saving Tips
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Parties and Holidays |
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I'm Dreaming of a Budget Christmas
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| It seems that Christmas is forever coming at us, even as we’re
still opening the bills from the one that just passed. The pressure
to show our holiday spirit is always with us- but the truth is, you
can’t shop for the spirit. Indeed, this is the great theme in A
Charlie Brown Christmas. If you’ve overspent in every way this year,
resolve to simplify things next season by choosing frugality and
rediscovering the real meaning of Christmas. |
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| We’re bombarded from every angle, every cubicle, every skyline,
every neon sign, every radio and TV jingle, into thinking that
holiday cheer means more, more, more. You can’t shield your children
from the onslaught of the want-making machine- but you can limit its
influence. Turn off the television more often, year round, and
introduce projects that show your kids how other people celebrate,
and what other people have. Watch age appropriate history and
anthropology documentaries together, telling your kids that
Christmas around the country and the world seldom looks like the
opulent, never-ending fountain we’re promised. |
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| With your whole family prepared to invite the real holiday
spirit in from next year’s cold, here are a few tips to help keep
you frugal in the years to come: |
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Money saving expert Martin Lewis reminds us to plan
ahead- don’t get caught in the last minute scrambles that
often mean gouging out your life savings. Keep your eyes
open year round. |
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Don’t just buy things because they are on sale. The only
reason to buy something on sale is because the item was
wanted or needed in the first place. Otherwise, you are not
saving. You are actually spending. |
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Don’t buy items on impulse. Choose meaningful, special
gifts and stick to your list. |
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Cross most people off your gift list- do it ruthlessly.
You do not need to buy presents for your vet, your dentist,
and the church organist unless you have a special, unique,
close friendship. Less time consuming than shopping, and
much more personal than yet another dang Far Side coffee
mug, you can write cards thanking them for that great root
canal or for helping Fluffy through an eye infection. |
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Postage is costly. Instead of mailing heavy gifts, send
gift cards. Instead of sending a hundred cards, start using
free e-cards. |
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Get over the idea that re-gifting is tacky. It’s tacky
to keep something you can’t use, already have, or don’t like
when someone else can make good use of it. Don’t re-gift
just to get rid of something, though- pass the item along to
someone who needs it or loves it. |
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Gifts don’t have to be new. They should be meaningful
instead. Great Grandma’s tea set or brooch is far more
valuable than buying something similar at The Bay. Don’t
spend more money on a new copy of a special book if you can
share the copy you’ve had since you were a little girl.
Heirlooms have soul. |
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Don’t be fooled by the thundering noise of “bargain” and
“sale” and “save.” Forget it. Don’t be lured into any buying
at all unless it’s on your list. |
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Make dinners into potlucks. “I’m hosting Christmas
dinner - this year we’d like to try your sweet potato
casserole and Aunt Sally’s beet salad with our turkey.” |
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Refuse to waste more trees on wrapping paper and ribbon.
Salvage gift bags and papers, and use comics or landscape
pages from magazines and newspapers you were recycling
anyway. Let the kids cut out special images and glue them
onto packing paper for handmade wrap. Use your imagination,
but don’t apologize for recycling. |
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Get acquainted with the broad range of quality wines
made right here in Canada at extremely reasonable prices. No
need to stock up on an expensive array of spirits and mixes
that will sit around all year, or worse- won’t. Niagara
wines make wonderful, frugal gifts that everyone wants, and
they are perfect for entertaining. |
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Last but not least- never, ever apologize for reducing,
reusing, and recycling. If anyone demonstrates disdain, or
if your kids complain, don’t give in. Firmly but warmly
explain the personal and planetary imperatives of reducing,
reusing, and recycling, and that you’re committed to 3-R
holidays from here on in. |
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