Can't Afford Christmas Gifts This Year? These Tips Will Help

Christmas is supposed to be a joyous time, but if you're on a tight budget it can become anything but. Giving gifts at Christmastime doesn't have to be a burden. Here are some tips to help lighten the financial load of Christmas gift buying.

Draw names. If you give gifts to tons of different people on the same side of the family or within the same group of friends, suggest drawing names. You can set a reasonable limit of $25-$30 per gift and each person will just get one nice gift, rather than several smaller ones. Most people are happy to draw names for Christmas gifts since this helps out everyone involved financially.

Try homemade gifts. While making homemade gifts doesn't always save you money, with some careful planning homemade gifts can be both economical and well-received. Leftover yarn used to make a fun scarf for your niece, or some tasty homemade banana bread for your hard-to-buy for uncle make great Christmas gifts that won't break the bank.

Shop early. When you see something on sale that would work well as a Christmas gift for someone, buy it, no matter how early it is! The best Christmas bargain shoppers even start a whole year in advance when everything goes on clearance right after the holiday season. Pick a place in your basement, garage, or a closet for storage and stash all of your gifts there. Just don't forget to take inventory periodically so you don't end up duplicating any gifts.

Save throughout the year. Saving a small amount of money each month in a "Christmas fund" (a hidden place in your home for cash works fine) is a great way to make holiday shopping completely hassle free when it comes to finances. You'll probably never miss $15-$20 each month, but that money will make a huge difference come Christmas shopping season.

Eliminate some gifts. If you give gifts to everyone you've ever met, consider eliminating some of your gift recipients. Often people only give Christmas gifts out of obligation because they received one from you and feel it is necessary. If there are some extended relatives or less-than-close friends that you still exchange gifts with, try politely letting them know that you're paring down your Christmas gift giving and you've opted just to send cards to everyone but very close friends and family. Most people will be very accepting of that news and possibly even relieved.

Try these tips to stop fretting about Christmas shopping financial woes and start enjoying the wonderful celebration that is Christmas.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/410850/cant_afford_christmas_gifts_this_year.html?cat=3

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Ways to Go Green During the Holiday Season

This holiday season many people trade in their normal routines for more convenient ones. With all of the entertaining and need for quick meals during frenzied shopping trips many consumers will find themselves doing more harm to the environment than they normally would.

Here are some ideas to stay green while you enjoy this time of year:

1. Monitor your trash and recycle. During the holiday season people buy more, use more and therefore throw away more trash. It is estimated that Americans throw away almost 5 billion extra tons of trash during the holiday season. From wrapping paper to gift packaging the amount of trash increases nearly 25%. This year try using recycled paper for your wrapping such as newspaper, and be sure to recycle everything you can. Be sure to bring cloth tote bags with you while you shop!

2. Assess your carbon cost. Millions of people travel during the holidays and increase the carbon emissions. If you are taking a flight see if you can make up the difference somewhere else. Try car pooling on your shopping trips and getting as much done in a single trip as possible. Keep your thermostat turned down at nighttime and turn off your holiday lights. You may consider using LED lights which burn longer than regular bulbs, and soy candles instead of wax candles which are both cleaner during production and usage.

3. Buying a fake tree is worse than cutting down a real one. This may seem illogical, but the facts are overwhelming. Artificial trees are made from non-recyclable materials and emit a ton of greenhouse gases during production. Real trees, on the other hand, release oxygen and take in carbon dioxide while they grow and are easily replanted. Most Christmas trees come from tree farms that continue to replant year after year. Worldwise reports that for every fresh-cut tree harvested, three seedlings are planted in its place.

4. Purchase eco-friendly gifts. Nowadays it's much easier to get your hands on ecologically friendly gifts. From charitable donations to homemade foods, eco-friendly gifts are a great idea for anyone. Give someone in your family some of your old jewelry and I'm sure they'll be happier than if you bought it. Create baskets of goodies right in your own kitchen and ask the recipient to recycle the basket by using it or giving it back for next year's gift giving. Visit websites of organizations like Heifer International and the World Wildlife Fund to give a gift to those in need in a friend's honor. If gift giving can't be escaped in your family, suggest a "Secret Santa" method so that everyone is responsible for giving and receiving gets just one gift. Check out www.lowimpactliving.com or www.worldofgood.com for an excellent selection of green gifts.

5. Serve organic food that supports local farmers. Whenever possible purchase and use local produce. It supports your community and those small time farmers who are trying to survive in a world where conglomerate corporations control everything. You'll feel good about it and the food will taste better. Organic food can be more expensive but it is well worth it. Shop at a Whole Foods Market or health food store for the best variety, but visit your local supermarket for some options as well. The food you serve your guests will be chemical free and better for everyone. Organic wine is also more readily available at reasonable prices.

Most importantly, don't use the stress of this time of year to change your ways. If you are normally an eco-friendly person, don't allow the pressures of our society to cause you to fold. Although the big companies don't want you to know it, you don't have to buy into their holiday to celebrate. Create your own and we'll all be better for it.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/460852/ways_to_go_green_during_the_holiday.html?cat=74

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How to Afford Christmas on a Tight Budget

If you are like my family, money can get tight around the holidays. For instance, the majority of our Christmas savings money went to get 4 new tires for our car, after one blew out, and 2 others were constantly going flat.

First, scope out the sales ads. Many times you can find awesome sales on toys. Look in the unexpected places- like pharmacy stores(Walgreens, CVS, etc) many times these stores have specials such as Buy One Get One Free, or Buy 2 Get One Free. Many times they are more than reasonably priced. Honestly, does your child need a $100+ video game system? No.

Check out what stores have layaway. If you don't have enough money to pay for it outright, wait until there is a great sale, put it on layaway(most stores have you put down a minimum of 10%) and pay for it over a couple of weeks, or pay for the remainder when you do get the funds.

Get creative. The only people I have bought gifts for this year are my kids. Everyone else is getting homemade creations. For the women, I am making cookie, pasta, chili, and cocoa mixes in the jars. Everything to make those costs me less than $20, and it will make enough for the 8 women we are giving gifts to. I got all the jars at Goodwill, gave them a bleach and hot water bath, add some cute holiday fabric and ribbon around the lid for great decoration. The men are getting handsewn leather multitool holders with belt loops, and small wooden tool boxes for their cars. Each box has been engraved with their name, then finished in an oak stain. For the 5 men, the total cost for all the supplies was $27.

If you are ordering online, call and request a 10% discount code and/or free shipping code. All it takes is asking, and more often than not they will give you your option of which you would like to use. A lot of the time, I have been given a code for both free shipping and 10%.

Consider babysitting for a small fee for the parents of small children, so that they may go shopping child-free for a few hours. This is how I raised the money to buy my childrens' toys.

For extra cash, try selling things on ebay or amazon. Things like books, and movies sell really well this time of year. They are both great places to find cheap gifts too.

A way to save money year round, is to always use coupons. You can save lots of money using them. On average, I save 75% or more on my grocery bills, spending about an hour clipping coupons each week.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/91618/how_to_afford_christmas_on_a_tight.html?cat=46

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Christmas on a Tight Budget

After I read the informative article, “Cheap Christmas Gift Ideas”, I decided to share some of my own ideas on how to get through Christmas on a tight budget. (http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/76299/cheap_christmas_gift_ideas.html) Most Americans are looking for ways to save money on Christmas gifts. It may be a tight budget or the number of people on your list, but everyone wants to give a nice gift without breaking the bank. These are some suggestions on how to do that:

1. As daunting as it may seem, shop department store special sales. Yes, it may be crowded, but those one-day sales lead to a lot of savings on gift items. You are going to buy the gifts anyway, so save yourself money on your purchases. Be sure to bring the coupons that come in the mail for extra savings on a certain day, even on sale or clearance merchandise.

2. I have nine grandchildren and I’m on a fixed income. It’s impossible for me to go out and buy an expensive gift for each grandchild. After Christmas each year, I shop the sales and buy each grandchild a special Christmas ornament for the next year. When Christmas comes, I write their names and the year on the ornaments so they have a keepsake. I’ve been doing this since they were born, so when the time comes for them to leave home, they will each have a collection of personalized ornaments to take with them. Then I purchase a ten dollar gift certificate for each one to go along with the ornament. The gift is special, but just right for my budget.

3. Each major bookseller has a website online. If you go to the “Bargain” section, you will find wonderful books for a fraction of the original cost. Some books are listed at eighty per cent off regular price. You can get an expensive hard-cover book for five dollars. Pick and choose special books for each person on your list. You have spent time looking for the perfect book for each person, but you haven’t spent a lot of money. The time you spend selecting the book is part of the thoughtful gift.

4. One of my credit cards gives you points for each dollar you spend. You can redeem these points for gift cards. I charge everything during the year (and pay my entire credit card balance each month) so I accumulate points. When Christmas comes, I redeem those points for gift cards at special stores for each of my adult children. Each of my grown children can then select the perfect gift for herself. It may seem generic to give gift cards, but my children and grandchildren love them. Why guess what they would like when they can select exactly what they like?

5. Don’t forget the discount stores for name-brand items at sale prices. Even the discount stores have sales on their already-discounted merchandise. You can find some good bargains this way.

6. Sometimes children or grandchildren have fund raisers at their schools. They usually sell magazines or small gifts to raise money for their school functions. Most of us buy something from them just to support their efforts, but why not make use of the gifts. Give someone a special magazine subscription that they will enjoy or a gift from the school’s selection. You can save these gifts for Christmas. You’ve supported the school fund raiser and selected some of your Christmas gifts.

7. When we are shopping, we may come across something that we think would be perfect for someone we know. Instead of passing up this item (especially if it’s on sale), buy it then and put it away for Christmas. When you buy a little at a time, the cost is spread out over the year and it doesn’t seem so overwhelming.

8. If you knit, crochet, or make quilts, hand made gifts are special and unique. Make a blanket or throw in someone’s favorite colors or a special pattern. My granddaughter’s other grandmother makes her a quilt for every season. Mittens for children who play outside in the winter are wonderful gifts. You can think of as many gifts as you have imagination.

A lot of these gifts are not expensive, but thoughtful. You can spend a lot of money (that you can’t afford) on Christmas gifts, and still not have done anything really special. An inexpensive gift that is selected with the person’s special interests in mind is just as wonderful as an expensive gift. It really is the thought that counts.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/79128/christmas_on_a_tight_budget.html?cat=74

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Ten Ways to Save Money This Christmas

September is here, which can only mean one thing-Christmas is around the corner.. It is only natural to get in the Christmas spirit and start spending money on gifts, decorations and holiday meals. Wouldn't it be nice to save money while providing a great Christmas for your family? Here are some Christmas-saving tips to prevent burning a hole in your wallet.

1. Make a list and stick to it. To some this may be self explanatory. Making a list will help you target what you are really looking for. Those who go shopping without a list may be more apt to spend more money by being distracted by other merchandise.

2. Start early. Staring early will help you budget between the gifts you are buying and other livelihood expenses such as mortgage payments, insurance, groceries, etc.

3. Get cash back. The internet has opened a whole new world for shopping. There are free sites such as Cash Crate, Inbox Dollars, Treasure Trooper and others that will pay you a cash back percentage when you shop through their site. They are partnered with name brand stores to provide the highest quality merchandise . They not only offer a cash back percentage, they also pay consumers to try out products. Money made from these sites can also give you extra money to purchase Christmas gifts. If you are interested in these programs, you may check them out here.

4. Save on wrapping paper. Let's face it-there is a lot of expensive decorative wrapping paper found in stores . To save money use newspaper. Another option is to use wrapping paper you already have (from any holiday) by wrapping the gift facing white side up and decorating it with Christmas stickers. These two tips will help you cut back on unnecessary costs and will enable you to spend more on gifts. Taking advantage of the after-Christmas specials will also cut you a deal on next year's wrapping paper.

5. Make your own Christmas Cards. Christmas cards can be expensive and impersonal. Creating your own cards will not only save money, but will give a Merry Christmas from the heart.

6. Prepare your Christmas menu early. There are some items on your grocery list that will stay fresh for a long time. Looking for sales on these items now will cut back on your grocery bill around Christmas.

7. If you are hosting dinner at your place for Christmas, ask others to contribute by bringing side dishes. You would be surprised by the willingness of others to contribute to the holiday meal.

8. Start a savings account. Starting a new savings account a dedicating it only to Christmas will help the age old question " How am I going to afford it". If your place of employment offers direct deposit, you may want to add your Christmas saving account to your direct deposit and set a certain amount to come out each paycheck.

9. Shop in the classifieds. The internet is flooded with people that are trying to sell something you may want. Craigslist.org is a free classified site that has a "wanted" section to post what you are looking for. Buying from individuals rather than stores will be cheaper.

10. Buy your Christmas decorations at discount stores. There are a lot of dollar stores that offer nice looking decorations for the holiday at a good bargain.

These methods work great if you are on a fixed income or just want to save money. Christmas is a time to spend with family and give gifts from the heart, not the wallet. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/366968/ten_ways_to_save_money_this_christmas.html?cat=7

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Tips for a Green Holiday Season: Lighting Your House

Living green is not just a passing choice, it is a lifestyle. This lifestyle does not change or get put on hold for the holiday seasons. Neighborhoods filled with lights, adorning homes and outdoor trees and scenes. These lights traditionally spend more electricity during the Christmas season than the same household spends the rest of the year. Green lighting choices are available and prove to be just as beautiful as the old faithful bulb lights.

LED lighting is probably the greenest choice in the Christmas lighting market. These lights can be used both indoors on Christmas trees and outdoors to adorn homes and other Christmas decor. The great thing about LED lighting is the cost effectiveness of the choice.

When a home uses traditional outdoor lights for the Christmas season, these lights burn a lot of electricity. Based upon a 6 hour light schedule, traditional mini lights will cast the consumer $5.00 per day. This cost jumps to $50.00 per day if C7 lights are used. Green friendly LED lights, on the other hand, cost a mere 50 cents per day to run the same amount of time. The cost savings is so astronomical, it has been reported that if every household in the United States changed to LED lighting for the Christmas season, more than 2 billion kilowatt hours of electricity would be saved. That is enough electricity to run 200,000 homes for a year. That is what a green Christmas is all about.

For the consumers who want something a little less traditional, green and even more cost effective, forever lights are your choice. Forever lights collect energy from the sun and light up after the sun goes down. Many homeowners may know these lights as the choice for walkways leading up to a homes entrance. The forever lights use no electricity and with a little imagination can illuminate an entire yard with elegant Christmas style.

While LED lighting and Forever lighting may be a bit costly up front, those are not your only choices. For many years, I have used the same Christmas globes on my tree. Year after year, the same globes. Last year, I decided to change up things and go all natural with dried fruits and twig wreaths. But, I was left with a plethora of Christmas globe ornaments. I decided to recycle these globes and hang them on my outdoor trees. During the day, these beauties were magnificent. At night, however, they disappeared with the sun. That is when I decided to use some left over glow in the dark paint to change that. I painted every globe with glow in the dark paint and waited. That night my yard was a Christmas wonderland of lights and I never spent one dime on electricity or special lighting.

Moving indoors, light choices can stay green as well. Fiber optic, artificial Christmas trees and decorations, offer brilliant Christmas lighting at a fraction of the electric usage.

If you just have to have that real Christmas tree to feel the spirit of the season, do not worry, green lighting choices are available from real trees too. Battery powered Christmas tree lights are a great way to use a lot less electricity this holiday season. Just remember to use rechargeable batteries and the only electricity you will be using is on the recharge.

Green Christmas choices are great for every holiday, but Christmas is especially important. With electric usage topping out during the last two months of the season, homeowners are looking for more and more ways to not only save a few dollars on the electric bill, but save the Earth and stay green as well. There are many lighting choices for consumers this holiday season. So get out there and decorate, green.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/430696/tips_for_a_green_holiday_season_lighting.html?cat=6

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