Making the most of what you have applies to the basic principles of money management, but it also applies to sharing the holidays in a special way that creates memories simply by making the most of what we have.
Bringing a smile, a twinkle in the eye, a joy to the heart is not always about money, but the utilization of time, talent and consideration of others. Each year readers write in about what they have done at the holidays, simple yet effective when it came to making the season special.
Saving money can sometimes be felt through more efficient time management in a very hectic season. Taking out one box of decorations at a time, decorating a little each day is much easier for a working mom who has limited time.
One family’s creativity figured out a way to keep toddlers out of harms way of a Christmas tree tumbling down and to keep the ornaments still hanging on the tree. Once the storage tubs were emptied of Christmas decorations, they put something heavy inside the container, gift wrapped them to look like presents and placed them in front of the tree so little prying hands couldn’t reach the tree or the ornaments.
For the cook, starting with the Thanksgiving food shopping specials, buying ingredients for special dishes / cookies / desserts a little each trip to the grocery is easier and saves money rather than making a large purchase all at once.
A grandmother with grandchildren, and great grandchildren came up with a way to clean out her antiques and collectables. She gift wraps her ‘heirlooms’ and put them under the tree as a special gift along with her new gifts to them.
One lady used inexpensive plastic holiday tablecloths for wrapping large gifts. Another purchased holiday material and sewed huge bags for her large gifts and they were re-used the following year. I thought the idea of purchasing an inexpensive nativity scene for the children to play with so the special displayed one would go untouched by the little hands.
I really liked the idea of paying ahead for the elderly as gifts, such as paying in advance cable television for so many months, or having the bill forwarded to you. Another was paying for beauty treatments at the nursing home as many have beauty shops on the property.
Another wrote in that rather than spend time and money on gifts to have a celebration dinner together. And of course for the hard to please teen who already has everything, gift cards from their favorite store. They could be as little as $5 each, they will love getting to choose what they want.
Spectrum Resources mission is to help you learn how to live inside your income. Creativity is a fun way to enter the world of personal money management.
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