The Christmas and holiday season can be expensive. These ideas are from the US National Foundation for Credit Counseling and can help if your generosity is greater than your credit card limits. Try these ideas:
* develop a spending budget. Write down your expenses for the months of November and December
and subtract the total amount of expenses from your income. That will give you a gauge on how much you can spend. Make a list of purchases from gifts to decorations.
*
boost your spending account by picking up available over-time or a casual part time job. Cut down on unnecessary expenses when you can
*consider gifts that have the personal touch - such as handmade items.
* look for shopping deals, special discounts and coupons.
* avoid
last minute shopping and plan your shopping trips in advance
* pay with cash when possible and spend wisely. You could even leave your credit cards at home to avoid temptation! If using a credit card, limit purchases to one card, use the credit you can afford and pay it off in 90 days or less.
* as this is also a time when credit card theft goes up, make sure you protect your card.
* once you have completed your shopping list - stop spending!
You may be on holidays but it can be a busy season for the local burglars so here's how to secure your house - click here
OK - now your house is secure let's start with your decorations. These ideas show you how to decorate safely - click here
Now it's time to think about buying presents. However, the expense of buying gifts, the pressure of last minute shopping and the heightened expectations of family togetherness can all combine to undermine our best intentions of a relaxing holiday. Here are some practical suggestions to help you reduce your 'Christmas stress'. Click here
For those 'organically' minded I found this and not forgetting your pets - check this out
Unfortunately Christmas can be a stressful and depressing time for many people. Financial and time pressures, isolation, family tensions, separation and divorce, bereavement, becoming a step-family, or just reflecting on another year gone by can all undermine the Christmas spirit. These ideas may help
Just when I thought I had read it all I found more gems...
For those with mixed or separated families (think versions of the Brady Bunch) check this article out and if family get togethers lead you to drink, here's how to stay safe...and merry. Click here for an article called 'Christmas Alcohol Tips'
Hmmm...eating too much cake and mince tarts? If you're worried you might put on a few kilos (or pounds) over the holidays read this
After you have snapped away like crazy with your new digital camera don't let those pics and memories fade away. Here's what to do with them - click here
OK, so you have partied with family and friends, it's time to clean up. Sadly, a lot of rubbish is created over the holiday season so click here for tips to reduce unnecessary waste.
And finally, if it's all too much and you just have to get away, here's some travel tips for you!
So whatever you do over the holiday season, stay safe, enjoy your family and friends and I'll 'see' you in the New Year :)
PS That research was heaps of fun, but even though there were another 30 Google pages to go, I finally had to force myself to stop. It's a bit like Christmas cake- at some point you realise, 'I'm done'.....
