Guest guest Posted December 4, 2007 Report Share Posted December 4, 2007 I know this has little to do with yummy vegetarian food but I am dying to know how everyone survives this time of year? It is such a beautiful time but I can never slow down to enjoy it because I am too busy running up the credit cards, rushing through the stores and making cookies for everyone and their mother. One thing we did do is buy an artificial tree mainly because of my son's allergies but man although I was heartbroken to lose the tradition of cutting down a tree and hand stringing the lights I am so much more at peace knowing it took 5 minutes to put up and 20 to decorate and now I can enjoy it, stress free. =^.^= Steph Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 4, 2007 Report Share Posted December 4, 2007 Well Steph, I don't have a single credit card.I do my shopping at my local thrift store saving lots of money and helping give jobs to people who are physically and mentally challenged. I gift the church food bank with all manner of food in my grandchildren's names so we can give to others in need. I don't make cookies..Everyone is dieting..LOL. We create gift baskets with homemade canned veggies and sauces that we made months ago. Our artificial trees are decorated with hand crafted decorations that we have saved for many years. Some of the grand children are busy creating new ones this season. We are watching very old favorite Christmas videos and DVDs and playing older Holiday music. One of these evenings we will all catch the Christmas Train and take a rail trip just outside our town and back. At $3 per person it is a fun inexpensive very fun ride. Some of our friends and relatives are in Iraq this holiday season, so most of our thoughts are with them, praying they will be home with us next Christmas. Make a rewarding, peaceful day Deanna in Colorado ********************************************************************** -- In , Steph <mrswalp29 wrote: > > I know this has little to do with yummy vegetarian food but I am dying to know how everyone survives this time of year? It is such a beautiful time but I can never slow down to enjoy it because I am too busy running up the credit cards, rushing through the stores and making cookies for everyone and their mother. > One thing we did do is buy an artificial tree mainly because of my son's allergies but man although I was heartbroken to lose the tradition of cutting down a tree and hand stringing the lights I am so much more at peace knowing it took 5 minutes to put up and 20 to decorate and now I can enjoy it, stress free. > > > =^.^= Steph > > > > Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 4, 2007 Report Share Posted December 4, 2007 I have a gift giving drawer. It is easy for me to find things for special loved ones throughout the year. Many times the items are on sale. I have baked 23 loaves of sweet bread since Saturday. All in the freezer and ready to deliver soon. Fig bread for one doctor, the librarians like banana bread, one cashier likes cardamom bread and the list goes on and on. Now I have to get my poor sore hands ready to bake again this weekend. I don't go into debt, if I don't have it I don't spend it on credit cards. Those are strictly for emergency, unexpected car repair, that type thing. Donna Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile " Puterwitch " <puterwitch Wed, 5 Dec 2007 10:21:04 To: Re: Re: Holiday Question right Linda. who would want you to spend money on them if you don't have it? great idea about the gift giving drawer, I am gonnna do that. hugs, Chanda - Linda Jackson @ <%40> Wednesday, December 05, 2007 9:59 AM Re: Re: Holiday Question I may sound crazy but I am here to say you dont have to do that debt thing. Giving gifts when you are in debt doesnt make sense. The people who you give to would not want a gift if they felt it was putting your further and further behind financially. If you can use one season to turn it around, you can start off fresh. One way to do this is to bake cookies or give service coupons as gifts to everyone you know. If you need to you can be humble and say something that helps them understand your situation. Then you start in about February buying gifts for next year , start a gift closet or drawer. You can get your gifts for next year all at greatly reduced prices....sometimes up to 90% off. When you find something wonderful, buy several at that price. I do not think the reason for the season ( the Savior of the world! ) would really want us to be putting our families finacial life at risk for giving gifts supposedly in his name...its just not what its all about! you can have plastic surgery and cut up those cards a la Dave Ramsey. my sister in law was buying gifts when they were going bankrupt. Its humbling but there is no reason to go in debt for gifts. going in debt can wind up robbing you of a lot of things besides money...peace, joy, contentment, and if taken to the extreme ( bankruptcy) it involves robbing alot of other people. fight the feelings of having to spend beyond your means today. you will like it better if you don't! trust me! its better to always spend less than you earn, and save some every pay period. You need a cushion for the days ahead. Linda " Controlling the minor details of your own life will have a ripple effect to the far reaches of your universe. Big things fall into place if you take small steps along the way. " - Steph @ <%40> Wednesday, December 05, 2007 7:23 AM Re: Re: Holiday Question Deanna, That sounds like a wonderful way to spend the holidays. I get so overwelmed with the weddings, birthdays and gifts that are needed for the season. I wish we would have never got credit cards because when we didn't have one we were creative but now the holidays are so stressful knowing I will still be paying for gifts that I bought in December in July. =^.^= Steph Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 5, 2007 Report Share Posted December 5, 2007 Deanna, That sounds like a wonderful way to spend the holidays. I get so overwelmed with the weddings, birthdays and gifts that are needed for the season. I wish we would have never got credit cards because when we didn't have one we were creative but now the holidays are so stressful knowing I will still be paying for gifts that I bought in December in July. =^.^= Steph Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 5, 2007 Report Share Posted December 5, 2007 In a message dated 12/5/2007 11:31:13 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, lindandy writes: I shop with people in mind ,but also for those weddings, and babies that are coming up all the time, or those that all the sudden are in need of something. I do this with my knitting. I had some good baby yarn so I made a unisex blanket, ready for the next pregnant friend. I also make dishrags pretty regularly, & scarves. I'm getting ready to knit up a bunch of chemo caps and maybe some mittens for the local shelters. Amy **************************************Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest products. (http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop00030000000001) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 5, 2007 Report Share Posted December 5, 2007 I may sound crazy but I am here to say you dont have to do that debt thing. Giving gifts when you are in debt doesnt make sense. The people who you give to would not want a gift if they felt it was putting your further and further behind financially. If you can use one season to turn it around, you can start off fresh. One way to do this is to bake cookies or give service coupons as gifts to everyone you know. If you need to you can be humble and say something that helps them understand your situation. Then you start in about February buying gifts for next year , start a gift closet or drawer. You can get your gifts for next year all at greatly reduced prices....sometimes up to 90% off. When you find something wonderful, buy several at that price. I do not think the reason for the season ( the Savior of the world! ) would really want us to be putting our families finacial life at risk for giving gifts supposedly in his name...its just not what its all about! you can have plastic surgery and cut up those cards a la Dave Ramsey. my sister in law was buying gifts when they were going bankrupt. Its humbling but there is no reason to go in debt for gifts. going in debt can wind up robbing you of a lot of things besides money...peace, joy, contentment, and if taken to the extreme ( bankruptcy) it involves robbing alot of other people. fight the feelings of having to spend beyond your means today. you will like it better if you don't! trust me! its better to always spend less than you earn, and save some every pay period. You need a cushion for the days ahead. Linda " Controlling the minor details of your own life will have a ripple effect to the far reaches of your universe. Big things fall into place if you take small steps along the way. " - Steph Wednesday, December 05, 2007 7:23 AM Re: Re: Holiday Question Deanna, That sounds like a wonderful way to spend the holidays. I get so overwelmed with the weddings, birthdays and gifts that are needed for the season. I wish we would have never got credit cards because when we didn't have one we were creative but now the holidays are so stressful knowing I will still be paying for gifts that I bought in December in July. =^.^= Steph Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 5, 2007 Report Share Posted December 5, 2007 right Linda. who would want you to spend money on them if you don't have it? great idea about the gift giving drawer, I am gonnna do that. hugs, Chanda - Linda Jackson Wednesday, December 05, 2007 9:59 AM Re: Re: Holiday Question I may sound crazy but I am here to say you dont have to do that debt thing. Giving gifts when you are in debt doesnt make sense. The people who you give to would not want a gift if they felt it was putting your further and further behind financially. If you can use one season to turn it around, you can start off fresh. One way to do this is to bake cookies or give service coupons as gifts to everyone you know. If you need to you can be humble and say something that helps them understand your situation. Then you start in about February buying gifts for next year , start a gift closet or drawer. You can get your gifts for next year all at greatly reduced prices....sometimes up to 90% off. When you find something wonderful, buy several at that price. I do not think the reason for the season ( the Savior of the world! ) would really want us to be putting our families finacial life at risk for giving gifts supposedly in his name...its just not what its all about! you can have plastic surgery and cut up those cards a la Dave Ramsey. my sister in law was buying gifts when they were going bankrupt. Its humbling but there is no reason to go in debt for gifts. going in debt can wind up robbing you of a lot of things besides money...peace, joy, contentment, and if taken to the extreme ( bankruptcy) it involves robbing alot of other people. fight the feelings of having to spend beyond your means today. you will like it better if you don't! trust me! its better to always spend less than you earn, and save some every pay period. You need a cushion for the days ahead. Linda " Controlling the minor details of your own life will have a ripple effect to the far reaches of your universe. Big things fall into place if you take small steps along the way. " - Steph Wednesday, December 05, 2007 7:23 AM Re: Re: Holiday Question Deanna, That sounds like a wonderful way to spend the holidays. I get so overwelmed with the weddings, birthdays and gifts that are needed for the season. I wish we would have never got credit cards because when we didn't have one we were creative but now the holidays are so stressful knowing I will still be paying for gifts that I bought in December in July. =^.^= Steph Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 5, 2007 Report Share Posted December 5, 2007 Linda this is very wise advise that you've given. It is so important to not go into debt. We completely pay off our credit cards each month and they make no interest on us. We use Discover to make cash back and GM to make money towards our next vehicle purchase. So far we have $5000 to go towards one when we buy it. They keep it as a bonus on our card for when we decide to purchase a GM vehicle. The day after Thanksgiving, my husband and daughters went shopping. They said that almost everything they bought was 50-80 % off. The stores had huge sales that day. They bought most of our Christmas then. We let them pick out clothes they want, since they have gotten much more particular in their likes and dislikes as teens. They enjoy getting to pick these out. It is part of the fun of the season for them. Have a wonderful Christmas all, Judy - Linda Jackson Wednesday, December 05, 2007 8:59 AM Re: Re: Holiday Question I may sound crazy but I am here to say you dont have to do that debt thing. Giving gifts when you are in debt doesnt make sense. The people who you give to would not want a gift if they felt it was putting your further and further behind financially. If you can use one season to turn it around, you can start off fresh. One way to do this is to bake cookies or give service coupons as gifts to everyone you know. If you need to you can be humble and say something that helps them understand your situation. Then you start in about February buying gifts for next year , start a gift closet or drawer. You can get your gifts for next year all at greatly reduced prices....sometimes up to 90% off. When you find something wonderful, buy several at that price. I do not think the reason for the season ( the Savior of the world! ) would really want us to be putting our families finacial life at risk for giving gifts supposedly in his name...its just not what its all about! you can have plastic surgery and cut up those cards a la Dave Ramsey. my sister in law was buying gifts when they were going bankrupt. Its humbling but there is no reason to go in debt for gifts. going in debt can wind up robbing you of a lot of things besides money...peace, joy, contentment, and if taken to the extreme ( bankruptcy) it involves robbing alot of other people. fight the feelings of having to spend beyond your means today. you will like it better if you don't! trust me! its better to always spend less than you earn, and save some every pay period. You need a cushion for the days ahead. Linda " Controlling the minor details of your own life will have a ripple effect to the far reaches of your universe. Big things fall into place if you take small steps along the way. " - Steph Wednesday, December 05, 2007 7:23 AM Re: Re: Holiday Question Deanna, That sounds like a wonderful way to spend the holidays. I get so overwelmed with the weddings, birthdays and gifts that are needed for the season. I wish we would have never got credit cards because when we didn't have one we were creative but now the holidays are so stressful knowing I will still be paying for gifts that I bought in December in July. =^.^= Steph Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 5, 2007 Report Share Posted December 5, 2007 its FUN actually, because you get to buy when you arent stressed and when you have the funds and without the crowds...and then when you need something you have it. I shop with people in mind ,but also for those weddings, and babies that are coming up all the time, or those that all the sudden are in need of something. My mom did this too! " Controlling the minor details of your own life will have a ripple effect to the far reaches of your universe. Big things fall into place if you take small steps along the way. " - Puterwitch Wednesday, December 05, 2007 9:21 AM Re: Re: Holiday Question right Linda. who would want you to spend money on them if you don't have it? great idea about the gift giving drawer, I am gonnna do that. hugs, Chanda - Linda Jackson Wednesday, December 05, 2007 9:59 AM Re: Re: Holiday Question I may sound crazy but I am here to say you dont have to do that debt thing. Giving gifts when you are in debt doesnt make sense. The people who you give to would not want a gift if they felt it was putting your further and further behind financially. If you can use one season to turn it around, you can start off fresh. One way to do this is to bake cookies or give service coupons as gifts to everyone you know. If you need to you can be humble and say something that helps them understand your situation. Then you start in about February buying gifts for next year , start a gift closet or drawer. You can get your gifts for next year all at greatly reduced prices....sometimes up to 90% off. When you find something wonderful, buy several at that price. I do not think the reason for the season ( the Savior of the world! ) would really want us to be putting our families finacial life at risk for giving gifts supposedly in his name...its just not what its all about! you can have plastic surgery and cut up those cards a la Dave Ramsey. my sister in law was buying gifts when they were going bankrupt. Its humbling but there is no reason to go in debt for gifts. going in debt can wind up robbing you of a lot of things besides money...peace, joy, contentment, and if taken to the extreme ( bankruptcy) it involves robbing alot of other people. fight the feelings of having to spend beyond your means today. you will like it better if you don't! trust me! its better to always spend less than you earn, and save some every pay period. You need a cushion for the days ahead. Linda " Controlling the minor details of your own life will have a ripple effect to the far reaches of your universe. Big things fall into place if you take small steps along the way. " - Steph Wednesday, December 05, 2007 7:23 AM Re: Re: Holiday Question Deanna, That sounds like a wonderful way to spend the holidays. I get so overwelmed with the weddings, birthdays and gifts that are needed for the season. I wish we would have never got credit cards because when we didn't have one we were creative but now the holidays are so stressful knowing I will still be paying for gifts that I bought in December in July. =^.^= Steph Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 5, 2007 Report Share Posted December 5, 2007 I have to agree. If you do not worry about your debt who will????? My children are grown and I am now retired. I have a charge card but only charge what I can pay at the end of the month. The interest charges will KILL you. I think especially now, with the economy what it is, we need to be very, very careful. Good for you if you are staying within your budget. in Northern Illinois Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 5, 2007 Report Share Posted December 5, 2007 Linda, I 110% agree with you. We got a credit card for emergencies like medical and transportation but this time of year is ridiculous. My step-mother chewed me out for getting her kids $20 gift cards and one year only an assortment of cookies (I spent hours making those things). She said I should buy something nice for them and not worry about the debt. I told her in our house our kids come first and we save all year for them. She buys way too much for us and the kids and most goes to Sally Anns. You are right about the reason for the season it is suppose to be a spiritual time and it ends up being a spending and stressful one. I loved your idea about buying though out the year. I say every year I will do that but my kids change their minds so much. Have a nice one. =^.^= Steph Never miss a thing. Make your homepage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 5, 2007 Report Share Posted December 5, 2007 wellllllllll I am not sure my kids always got their fondest wish for Christmas but they always seemed content. Big ticket items that they wanted we just encouraged them to work and save and buy themselves. One year the kids and i made 100's of suckers and they sold them around the neighborhoods ...they made enough money to buy scooters and my daughter bought a double cassette player! if you have people telling you don't worry about the debt...well, just let it roll off like a duck since ....its your financial health you are in charge of...you can't please all of the people all of the time, and some people...well, some are just never pleased and so you have to say OH WELL! its nice to be my age and finally be letting go of alot of stinking thinking about what other people think. Be true to your values . ...and be happy! sounds like you are! What is Salley Ann's? every year I have been toiling over a big Christmas letter to a big list of people. This year, not every year, but this year, I am just sending one out when I receive one. My list has gotten way too bulky with people who do not respond anyway. I will still send to those who truly care but cannnot afford and cant for anotehr reason send cards. time to trim my list! its being fun to do it this way actually. ANd I am having more time to write little thankyou, thinking of you cards to people who I want to as I go along. With the Christmas cards! my son is bringing home his girlfriend after Chrsitmas....I think she is semi vegetarian ( her mom was raised jewish) and so the list is giving me some great ideas. Linda " Controlling the minor details of your own life will have a ripple effect to the far reaches of your universe. Big things fall into place if you take small steps along the way. " - Steph Wednesday, December 05, 2007 12:29 PM Re: Re: Holiday Question Linda, I 110% agree with you. We got a credit card for emergencies like medical and transportation but this time of year is ridiculous. My step-mother chewed me out for getting her kids $20 gift cards and one year only an assortment of cookies (I spent hours making those things). She said I should buy something nice for them and not worry about the debt. I told her in our house our kids come first and we save all year for them. She buys way too much for us and the kids and most goes to Sally Anns. You are right about the reason for the season it is suppose to be a spiritual time and it ends up being a spending and stressful one. I loved your idea about buying though out the year. I say every year I will do that but my kids change their minds so much. Have a nice one. =^.^= Steph Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 5, 2007 Report Share Posted December 5, 2007 Personally, I think gift cards are wonderful for kids once they get past the toy stage. Teens are so hard to buy for in the first place. Unless you're with them all the time, you don't know what they like in the way of clothes, music, movies, and their tastes change constantly. With a gift card for that age, at least they can go and pick out something they actually like! My ex-in-laws were always getting me and my kids stuff that we absolutely hated. Their taste in things is completely different from ours, and honestly, we would have much preferred to have the money they spent on things that got stuck in closets and eventually given away or thrown away to get things we actually wanted. ---- Steph 12/5/2007 12:29:12 PM Re: Re: Holiday Question Linda, I 110% agree with you. We got a credit card for emergencies like medical and transportation but this time of year is ridiculous. My step-mother chewed me out for getting her kids $20 gift cards and one year only an assortment of cookies (I spent hours making those things). She said I should buy something nice for them and not worry about the debt. I told her in our house our kids come first and we save all year for them. She buys way too much for us and the kids and most goes to Sally Anns. You are right about the reason for the season it is suppose to be a spiritual time and it ends up being a spending and stressful one. I loved your idea about buying though out the year. I say every year I will do that but my kids change their minds so much. Have a nice one. =^.^= Steph Never miss a thing. Make your homepage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 5, 2007 Report Share Posted December 5, 2007 I agree. My mom has completely different tastes than I do and I'm thankful that about 10 years ago, she started just giving us money. The kids enjoy having it to spend on things they really want. I do that with my nieces and nephews too and they love it. They enjoy catching after after Christmas sales. We used to exchange with extended family, but then it got to be that you were spending all your time shopping and no time to just relax and enjoy this wonderful season. Money I think is always appreciated. Judy - Penny French Wednesday, December 05, 2007 5:30 PM Re: Re: Holiday Question Personally, I think gift cards are wonderful for kids once they get past the toy stage. Teens are so hard to buy for in the first place. Unless you're with them all the time, you don't know what they like in the way of clothes, music, movies, and their tastes change constantly. With a gift card for that age, at least they can go and pick out something they actually like! My ex-in-laws were always getting me and my kids stuff that we absolutely hated. Their taste in things is completely different from ours, and honestly, we would have much preferred to have the money they spent on things that got stuck in closets and eventually given away or thrown away to get things we actually wanted. ---- Steph 12/5/2007 12:29:12 PM Re: Re: Holiday Question Linda, I 110% agree with you. We got a credit card for emergencies like medical and transportation but this time of year is ridiculous. My step-mother chewed me out for getting her kids $20 gift cards and one year only an assortment of cookies (I spent hours making those things). She said I should buy something nice for them and not worry about the debt. I told her in our house our kids come first and we save all year for them. She buys way too much for us and the kids and most goes to Sally Anns. You are right about the reason for the season it is suppose to be a spiritual time and it ends up being a spending and stressful one. I loved your idea about buying though out the year. I say every year I will do that but my kids change their minds so much. Have a nice one. =^.^= Steph Never miss a thing. Make your homepage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 5, 2007 Report Share Posted December 5, 2007 My mom usually sends us gift cards to Walmart - always a good thing because I can use it for whatever we need, if we happen to be in dire need at the time. My son is disappointed that I bought a copy of " Wicked " for myself, he was planning on getting it for me. I told him I'd rather he wait until after Christmas when Walmart marks all the special stuff down 50% or more and try to get me a new full-body massager with heat. I got one two years ago and finally burned up the motor in it. But with arthritis and fibromyalgia all over my entire body, it's a godsend to me. That would be something that would be used on a regular basis and so appreciated. Now, he s spent the afternoon with his sister, so who knows if they're cooking something up. I'm glad they're close, but sometimes...! ---- wwjd 12/5/2007 5:40:05 PM Re: Holiday Question I agree. My mom has completely different tastes than I do and I'm thankful that about 10 years ago, she started just giving us money. The kids enjoy having it to spend on things they really want. I do that with my nieces and nephews too and they love it. They enjoy catching after after Christmas sales. We used to exchange with extended family, but then it got to be that you were spending all your time shopping and no time to just relax and enjoy this wonderful season. Money I think is always appreciated. Judy - Penny French Wednesday, December 05, 2007 5:30 PM Re: Re: Holiday Question Personally, I think gift cards are wonderful for kids once they get past the toy stage. Teens are so hard to buy for in the first place. Unless you're with them all the time, you don't know what they like in the way of clothes, music, movies, and their tastes change constantly. With a gift card for that age, at least they can go and pick out something they actually like! My ex-in-laws were always getting me and my kids stuff that we absolutely hated. Their taste in things is completely different from ours, and honestly, we would have much preferred to have the money they spent on things that got stuck in closets and eventually given away or thrown away to get things we actually wanted. ---- Steph 12/5/2007 12:29:12 PM Re: Re: Holiday Question Linda, I 110% agree with you. We got a credit card for emergencies like medical and transportation but this time of year is ridiculous. My step-mother chewed me out for getting her kids $20 gift cards and one year only an assortment of cookies (I spent hours making those things). She said I should buy something nice for them and not worry about the debt. I told her in our house our kids come first and we save all year for them. She buys way too much for us and the kids and most goes to Sally Anns. You are right about the reason for the season it is suppose to be a spiritual time and it ends up being a spending and stressful one. I loved your idea about buying though out the year. I say every year I will do that but my kids change their minds so much. Have a nice one. =^.^= Steph Never miss a thing. Make your homepage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.