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Ideas, insights and inspiration for busy people on the go Friday, November 25, 2005 |
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Editor’s Scribbles
I hope you had a great Thanksgiving. Whew, we’re finally getting some cooler weather these days. I guess you must’ve guessed ‘cause lately I haven’t been complaining about the hot weather (LOL). It’s been raining almost every night and overcast most days, so it’s been great!
Our reader, Barbara Delguidice writes to us this week with this: “Don't ever give up on yourself or anyone else, no matter how long it takes. The virtue of patience is the key.”
Thanks for that tip, Barbara. I think it’s so true that in our rush-rush lifestyle of today, we seem to lose our patience very often. We’re always looking for instant gratification and when something doesn’t happen quickly enough, we give up. The truth is some things take time.
Tis the season for that often takes a toll on our wallets. So I’ll leave you with two articles on how to make that dollar go further.
Have a great week and thanks for staying with us. See you next week
Kit Editor/Publisher Gimme a Break, visit me at my relaxablog
Dollars ‘n Sense How to Buy Christmas Presents Without Breaking the Bank by Mark McAuley I have kids that are 16, 13,10 and 6 years old. We all know that when kids get to this age that they want gifts that are expensive. All their friends have new mp3 players, high tech video games, cell phones, etc. As working parents we know how much these things cost. I work at a factory, so spending hundreds of dollars on the newest gadget isn’t in my Budget. But since we love our kids and want to give them things they actually want and like, it makes it tough on us. So every year we spend too much money and then the bills come in, and our eyes bug out. Then we have to try and get overtime to pay them off. If you are lucky, you will pay off those bills before next Christmas. I have found items that kids do like that aren’t that expensive. Since it is winter, most kids like to get warm pajamas and slippers. Believe it or not, even my 16-year-old daughter loves to get pajamas with cool characters on them. The younger kids love to get slippers with Spongebob, Barbie, or whoever is popular at the time. You can get most of these items for around $20. Not only that, but since my girlfriend likes to keep the heat at around 64 degrees, I wouldn’t mind a set of flannel pajamas myself. Not to mention the fact that my 2 older children don’t really care for toys anyway, so it would really be a waste of money to buy these things. The other thing I have noticed is my 16 year old and many of her friends are into the retro look. You know, the clothes that we wore at their age, that we had hoped were lost forever. But it does make it easier to buy clothes without emptying your wallet. I think every city now has these resale stores, you know the ones, they sell used clothes, and when I go in them my allergies start bothering me. You can get some great deals in these stores. Another great place to buy gifts is Ebay. I know some people are leery about buying online, but I have never had any problems. You can get some good deals on Ebay, but you have to be careful. If you have a product in mind you can check prices at different websites, like shopping.com or bizrate.com. Then you can make sure you are getting a good deal. The other thing with Ebay is to make sure to check the feedback of the person you are buying from. This tells you what other people thought of this seller. The last thing to check is the shipping charge. Some people sell things low, but charge a huge amount for shipping. No matter what you choose, using the internet for research or purchase is a great time saver, and maybe even a money saver. So good luck with your Christmas shopping this year and DON’T break the bank. ----- About the author: Mark McAuley is a 40 year old divorced father,factory worker and struggling website owner. Please visit my websites at: http://purplemoose.us and http://www.mcauleygifts.com
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Roll Up Your Sleeves 10 Great Holiday Decorating Ideas ... On a Budget! by Kathy Wilson 1. First things first. Set a plan or a theme for your Christmas decorating. It doesn’t cost a thing to have a good plan, and when you are working with budget ideas, this is what pulls your ideas together, and makes everything you do look purposeful, and personal. Some theme ideas for Christmas? The rustic lodge xmas, a toyland xmas, countries around the world, Victorian, country, santa, snowmen, old fashioned, the list goes on and on! 2. Make garlands out of felt scraps. Cut Xmas shapes out of felt in miniature, mini stockings, holly leaves, mittens, and string together with needle and floss or strong fishing line to hang all over the house. Remember when you string each shape, tie a knot on both sides of the shape to hold it in its place. You can add more dimension to the shapes by cutting two of each, stuffing them lightly, them sewing the two together. Glue would work also if you aren’t a sewer. Saved used dryer sheets are perfect for this kind of stuffing, or even tiny fabric scraps that are too small for other uses. 3. Drop a tealight candle in your cleaned out glass mayonnaise jars, tie a holiday ribbon around the neck, and you have a beautiful candle with xmas charm. You could nestle the candle in peppermints, nuts, or even sand if you wish. Try grouping several together for a dramatic evening effect. These also make great luminaries. 4. Start a Christmas collection. This can be a great tradition to initiate in your home. My girls and I starting collecting Santas 3 years ago, and it’s something they look forward to, choosing our yearly Santa together. I know it will be a fond memory for them, and I plan to let each child choose a Santa to take with them when the day comes that they leave the nest and start their own home. By the way, this doesn’t have to be expensive, or even store bought. Try sewing or crafting a new decoration each year together for even more memories! Or check out your dollar store…they have some really cute ceramic holiday decorations for a buck or two. Remember, it’s the memories you’re interested in here, not a collectable based on monetary value. 5. If you are looking to do a toyland theme for your Christmas decorating this year, try searching out teddy bears and dolls at your local thrift stores. Wash them in a pillowcase and put them in your dryer for at least 20 minutes, then dress them up with ribbons and holiday fabrics. Group them under your tree, on mantels, and on windowsills. Stack small squares of cardboard together and wrap as a tiny present, then tuck them under a teddy’s arm, or wrap an empty box and use it as teddy’s seat by the front door. 6. Place a few inexpensive glass balls in a bowl and embellish with a few sprigs of greenery or some leftover ribbon. If you don't have an extra bowl (it is the holidays, after all!) try decoupaging a box with leftover Christmas wrap, or cover with a little fabric and glue. 7. Take down your pictures and wrap them like a gift, then hang them back on the wall for great holiday cheer! You don't have to do this all around the house, how about just in the entry, or maybe the dining room? 8. Tie greens or ornaments to the chandelier with a little Christmas ribbon, just make sure they don't hang low enough for any candles on the table to catch them on fire. 9. Make your own gift tags out of leftover paper. Ok, this is not a new idea, but try punching it up a bit. Add details by layering shapes over the base paper, use paper punches and scalloped scrapbooking scissors to add style, use a gold calligraphy pen to add names. Or use the scalloped scissors to make old holiday cards into tags. 10. Sponge stars or other seasonal shapes on your window with paint! No, I’m not nuts. Just add a teaspoon or so of liquid dish soap to acrylic craft paint, (I like white or gold metallic) and after the holidays you should be able to wash it off with window cleaner. Use a non- scratching dish scrubber if you come across a stubborn spot. There it is, the 10 best budget decorating ideas for Holiday decorating! Always remember the most important reason we celebrate, and the reason we take the time to make our homes warm and inviting…our loved ones! Have a wonderful holiday season! ----- About the author: Kathy Wilson is an author, national columnist, and the editor of The Budget Decorator. For hundreds of free budget decorating ideas and to sign up for her free online newsletter, visit her at http://www.TheBudgetDecorator.com.
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IN THIS PENNY PINCHER EDITION Editor’s Scribbles Dollars ‘n Sense How to Buy Christmas Presents Without Breaking the Bank Ad Board Roll Up Your Sleeves 10 Great Holiday Decorating Ideas ... On a Budget Water Cooler Earn a FREE classified - easy!
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Hello fellow Chasers and a warm welcome to our Penny Pincher issue.
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