Ready or Not

I hate to be the ‘bearer of bad news’, but Xmas is coming. Okay. Yes, Halloween and Thanksgiving come first. But no one ever goes broke paying for costumes and a turkey. So, let us get ourselves together now, so that we aren’t still paying for Xmas when Valentine’s Day comes around.

Some might wonder why I’m even on this train of thought so early. As soon as it starts getting cooler, I begin to think about warm fires, hot chocolate and Xmas trees. And don’t you dare pretend I’m the only one in this town who has thought about this already.

It is just a three step process, and no more stress. First, check out my list of tips below and figure out which ones to make your own. Then get to work, make your lists and plan you budgets. Lastly, save, save, save!

Melissa’s Tips

• Before making another trip to the grocery store, sit down and make a list of only things that you really need. Leave out things that you feel the urge to buy just because they are on sale. Check your cabinets and refrigerator against your list. I’m sure we all have things in the back of our cabinets that have been there from a past life.
• Start keeping a spreadsheet of where and how you spend your money. Once you have one month’s worth of expenses in front of you, I’m sure you will see ways to cut back.
• Consolidate your errands to cut down on gas expenses. Don’t forget to get your oil changed and keep air in your tires. This will not only make a tank of gas last longer, but it will also make your car last longer.
• Make a list of people for whom you want to buy gifts. Make a list of people that you “should” buy gifts for. Then settle on somewhere in between – maybe taking one from each list until your money runs out.
• Decide on a reasonable budget for this year’s Xmas spending. $100 for each person? $50 for each child? Whatever you decide, just plan in advance and don’t let yourself break the rule.
• Count the weeks between now and Xmas.
• Put money aside every week. Maybe even open a savings account specifically for this purpose.
• Remember you do have other bills and expenses that should take precedence over Xmas. That means your heating bill should get paid before you buy little Tommy his new bike. Sorry, Tommy.
• Do a good fall house cleaning and keep your eyes open. If you have any unused or unwanted jewelry, electronics, cell phones or furniture, sell them off. There are many places these days to get cash for unwanted items. Keeping in the spirit of things, you can also donate things to shelters, Salvation Army or Goodwill. But if you need the cash, try consignment shops, phoneiscash.com, craigslist.org, eBay, half.com or GameStop, just to name a few.
• Cut back on dining out and lavish lunches. Don’t eliminate them all together, just enough to save a few bucks.
• Stick to practical gifts this year: gift cards from stores that they really like, gas cards, fruit, baked goods or grocery gift cards
• When you start your shopping, feel free to haggle. Don’t be so quick to give away your dollars. 
• Clip coupons. Clip more coupons. Use your coupons.

And as you begin stealing things off my list and making them your own, try and remember that Xmas should be more about the people around you – it shouldn’t be just about things.

And seeing that many of us are going through troubling times, let’s make this a wholesome, fun holiday. Play nice on the roads. Play nice in the stores – no fighting for the last new best thing. And let’s not be tempted to take what isn’t ours.

May all yours be merry and bright. Merry Xmas to all and to all a good fight.