Posted by admin on December 10, 2008 · Leave a Comment
We all know that the financial status of the country and the world, is grim at best. In these trying economic times it is important to remember that there are people who are worse off than you are, and it is definitely a time for giving. Giving is not just something that you do for others, but also for yourself. With so many people falling on tough times, it is important that as we go through this holiday season we remember that things could be worse. If you are lucky enough to have friends and family to spend the holidays with and you have a few gifts under the tree, then be sure to give back. You never know when you will need help, so giving can be a very important thing. We all hope that if we are ever hit hard enough that there will be someone willing to lend a hand. Just think about all the people who will be unemployed this holiday season, without work, struggling to pay their bills and completely unable to buy any sort of presents for their children. Think of all the soldiers and their families who will have to celebrate the season without their loved ones. Think about all those who have lost a loved one, in the war or otherwise who will never spend another holiday with that special someone.
This year, buy a few less gifts for your loved ones, and instead donate to a charitable organization that will help out those who are in real need this holiday season. It is not too late. Give a little or give a lot, but definitely give. After all, giving is really what the true spirit behind Christmas really is, and although it may mean forgoing something you really want, your heart will be warmer on Christmas knowing that you made someone else’s day a little brighter.
Filed under cutting back · Tagged with bills, charitable organization, Christmas, donate, economic, economic times, financial status, gifts, giving, holiday season, holidays, less gifts, struggling, tough times, trying economic times, unemployed, without work, worse
Posted by admin on October 13, 2008 · Leave a Comment
I have always loved the holidays. Always a fun and exciting time of year filled with hustle and bustle. Some years, though, have been more difficult than others. Many years, we didn’t really have enough money for Christmas gifts, and it put a lot of added stress on us. The years had more and didn’t have to go into hock to make a Merry Christmas were also a lot nicer. I didn’t have to worry about what I would get everyone, I could relax and shop early and get whatever I idea came into my head for that special person. On years when I didn’t have enough money I would stress and by the time Christmas day would roll around, I would be completely broke and miserable knowing that I spent money that I didn’t have to get through it. This year, I think that with the economy where it is, we all need to take a few steps back and really look at how much money we are spending on Christmas. There is nothing fun about buying gifts and then stressing about how to pay for them. I know I wouldn’t want to think that anyone was getting stressed about a present that they bought me and really couldn’t afford, the gifts are not that important but the people are. It is a great time of year to acknowledge people, but you have to make practical choices and shop for the deals. There are a lot of good bargains out there and a lot of really creative ways to give exciting gifts without spending too much money. This year, let’s all be smart and limit our spending of dollars and just spend time with the ones we love instead. It is more important than ever to realize that the material stuff is just stuff. Let’s not buy into the madness that the local businesses perpetuate, let’s take a step back and just enjoy the holidays and not go broke in the process, after all you don’t want to end up in the same financial state as our government do you?
Filed under cutting back, Debt · Tagged with acknowledge people, afford, bargains, broke, bustle, Christmas, Christmas day, couldn't afford, deals, dollars, enjoy the holidays, enough money, exciting gifts, exciting time of year, financial state, gifts, good bargains, government, holidays, hustle, limit our spending, Merry Christmas, money, money for Christmas, present, shop early, shop for the deals, spending on Christmas, spending too much, spent money, stress, stressed