christams

No budget for you just yet, but I wanted to post just a couple things we are doing to cut corners and save money this Christmas.

For the past 3 years, I have really looked forward to sending out a family Christmas card. I love getting cards in the mail, seeing all the new photos from friends and family and hearing what they have been up to and then hanging them on the fridge throughout the holiday. This year, I am either not going to send one at all or, I will make the same card I would have send out, but send it through email instead. I will be able to save about $150 either way. I am not sure yet what I will end up doing. I will be honest, it's a hard thing to give up this year, but I know it is the best thing for our family right now.

Instead of drawing names with my extended family for a gift exchange this year, we decided to come up with some fun activities for all the kids that the adults will enjoy as well. We are making a scavenger hunt at our house for all the kids. There will be a small $2-$3 gift at the end of the hunt for each one. (you can find some really neat stuff at Target's dollar spot) Then, we are all going sledding. Even Grandpa is excited!! After that, we are heading to my sister's for appetizers (everybody will bring something) and family game night. It will turn out to be a very fun but inexpensive Christmas Day for everyone.

Not that I have ever been a big Christmas cookie person, but after talking to a friend and realizing how much a person can spend making dozens and dozens of cookies, it seems like it would be a perfect place to save some money. Some years we don't make any, although our kids really do enjoy makng sugar cookies. This year will be no different. One good batch of sugar cookies will be plenty.
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No matter what your budget is this Christmas, remember to be thankful. Take a deep breath in the middle of all this craziness.

You might have a lot. You might have a little. If you are driving a beater, be thankful for that beater. You would rather drive that than walk, wouldn't you? There is always something to be thankful for.

That's what contentment is all about. When you understand and really grasp contentment, it becomes easier to save money and invest. Stress slowly disappears. Budgeting is easier. Relationships improve.

Be happy with what you have. More than three billion people, almost half the world, live on $2.50 a day. Sometimes we need a little perspective to become content with our current situation.

Without contentment, it's easy to be bitter and apathetic. Happiness is sold to us, especially during this time of year. We think if we can just get one more piece of stuff that "true" happiness will be right around the corner.

We say things like, "I'll be happy when I get that house!" or "I'll be happy when I get that new car!" But happiness cannot be bought. Sure fun—in the form of a house, a car, a new LCD television—can be bought, but fun is temporary. True happiness, or contentment, is lasting.

You can get out of debt, save money, and get on a budget, but until you realize that stuff doesn’t bring contentment, you will always feel stressed and unhappy. Contentment brings peace. And isn’t this time of year about bringing "peace on earth and good will toward men"?

Remember what this deal is all about. It's not about trees, lights, gifts, baked hams, and shopping malls. It’s about a little child who was born in a manger and grew up to die on a cross. It’s about peace on earth and good will toward men.

So if the Christmas frenzy is wearing you out, you've missed the point of Christmas. Make a plan with your money, and make a plan to get back in touch with the true meaning of this special day. - Dave Ramsey
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For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11
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bye bye culligan

For those of you who know me at all, know how much I love our reverse osmosis water system. There is just nothing better than a big glass of clean and healthy water. But it does come with a $23 a month price tag. Maybe not much to some, but for us right now, every little bit counts. I had Culligan come and take our water system out yesterday. HOWEVER....I did come across a great company with a really awesome pitcher and filter. We still will get good water and will end up saving $218 a year.

Now what can I buy with that? ..... Just kidding! That is certainly how I used to think though.

Dan has an appointment set for Friday to start giving plasma. I was "permanently deferred" about 12 years ago. (why couldn't I have been blessed with big blood pumping veins?) His plasma, provided he can make it 2 times a week, will be an extra $200 a month. Yippee!!

I plan to do some shopping around on car and home insurance. We like our insurance company and because we don't pay a whole lot right now any way, we never took the time to shop around and see what else might be out there. Actually, Dan has been asking me to do this for while now, I just didn't see a need until now.

Hopefully, the next post will be our detailed budget including our income and all our bills and expenses. We have slowly been working on it, but it's not quite ready yet.
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