Start Planning For A Debt Free Christmas

It's pretty disturbing to see Christmas in some of the hobby stores this early, but it is definitely not to early to start planning for a debt free holiday.  Remaining debt free takes planning and planning takes time, so let's get started.

If you are going to give homemade gifts you probably should have started crafting back in January, but you should be able to make some simple gifts if you start right now.  People love to get simple, but beautiful gifts such as knitted or crocheted towels, wash cloths, and hot pads.  How about sewing covers for sewing machines, or small kitchen appliances.  Use your favorite craft and get started.  The exception would be food gifts; those should be made right before mailing or gifting.

Start setting aside money with which to buy gifts.  Look at your budget to see what you can do without and put that money out of sight.  If you can have the money taken directly from your paycheck for deposit in a Christmas account.

Layaway has become popular again during this recession.  Most big box stores are doing layaway, but may not allow you to start until mid October.  They do charge a fee for this service, but it is usually small.

Do your shopping ahead of time on paper.  In other words, create a spreadsheet listing the gifts for each person and what they will cost.  Does it equal the amount of money you are saving?  If it doesn't then it is time to save more or buy less.  Stick to this list when you are shopping.  Impulse buying is the debt creator.

Watch for sales.  September is the time to buy toys, bicycles and small electronics.  October is a good month for clothing and November is back to electronics sales.  Home appliances are usually on sale in December.  Also, start buying your baking supplies when they go on sale.

The holidays can be stressful, but nothing beats the stress you feel when you open that first post holiday credit card bill.  Be frugal by planning, saving, and taking advantage of layaway and sales.

God bless,
Pam

Merry Christmas Wishes From The Frugal Mennonite

My house is clean and the food for tomorrow's family gathering is ready.  I made a batch of marshmallows and will put together a gift basket for my in-laws with hot chocolate mix, marshmallows and cookies.  Tomorrow I will make the deviled eggs and green salad, then wait for my guests.

For the rest of today I get to rest, read and enjoy my family.  This is what a frugal life is about; not exhausting yourself trying to achieve an unrealistic, media fueled, corporate sales produced fantasy.  Instead we should live a comfortable, sparsely material, emotionally healthy and faith filled life.

Happy holidays!

God bless,
Pam

What's On Sale In November?

I have been stocking up on baking goods for the last week.  Walgreens has an excellent sale going on for flour, sugar, shortening and chocolate chips.  I need all of these for my holiday baking, so I bought several of each.  Most of them require the store ad coupon, plus you may find some manufacturers coupons out there.  Check on the True Couponing coupon database.

My local natural food store, Nature's Food Patch, has a great sale for the entire month of November for canned pumpkin, canned sweet potato puree and other baking goods.  Their organic pumpkin puree is less expensive than the Libbys at Publix.  Blind Pig And The Acorn has a great recipe for pumpkin bread on her site today.  I love pumpkin bread; it is one of our Fall favorites.

Do you remember that last year at this time there was a pumpkin shortage?  The prices got very high and it seems to me that they just stayed high rather than going back down to normal.  Of course, I am shocked at all of the prices I see nowdays.

Christmas items are going on sale already.  Using a Walgreens store coupon I bought Hallmark wrapping paper for 99 cents a roll.  Not bad at all and the selection is still good.  I need to get our box of wrapping supplies down and see what else we will need for this year.  I bought our Christmas cards at Hallmark after the first of the year, so we are well stocked on those.

At midnight, just as black Friday is starting (day after Thanksgiving), the Apple store puts one item on sale at a deep discount.  Keep an eye out; it might be that big ticket item you can't normally afford.

The holidays can be a stressful time of the year, especially if you are strapped financially.  Remember that the things your family will remember for years are the traditions you celebrate together, not what gifts they received.

God bless,
Pam

The Holidays Are Coming, Let's Get Frugal

Yes, I know that it is only September, but now is the time to start preparing for the holidays if you want to keep them calm and frugal.  Just do a little each day to prepare and you can avoid those crazy busy days where you clean or shop for 14 hours and you've still spent too much money and the house isn't the way your envisioned it.

Yesterday I began to go through all of our books.  Any that have not been used for reference or read within the last year I have either sold to Powells or given to the local library.  At Powell's you can either get store credit or Paypal credit.  You get more money if you choose store credit and I always get dear husband and daughter books for Christmas, so that is my choice.

Powell's In Portland, Oregan

Next I will be going through my belongings to see what I can sell on Ebay or give to charity.  Some of my Christmas shopping will be done on Ebay or using Paypal, so there is more money saved.

While you are going through your belongings it is the perfect opportunity to do some deep cleaning.  Take all the books off of the bookshelves and do a thorough dusting of both the shelves and the books.  The same goes for cabinets and storage shelves.  Now you won't need to worry about getting this done before having the family over for the holidays.

Be brutal and honest when going through things.  I am serious, unless it is a treasured family heirloom, if your haven't used it for a year why do you keep it?  Time to purge and make some money.

God bless,
Pam