I don't find the holidays to be particularly stressful. I'm in my early 30s and years ago, decided to shed the worst part of the holidays - forced consumerism - and instead focused on the things that truly make the season enjoyable. I focus on love, laughter, spending time with friends and family, and making time for my own leisure.
I prioritize what's most important. Whatever is not on the "most important" list can go undone without any feelings of guilt. Family time trumps gift-buying, cookie-making and all the rest.
When you’re just getting started to make your own home business, you need to sit down and think. You should also write down what you need to do, just so you can reference your notes later. You’ll need notes, because if you want to start a business, there’s a lot of things you need to consider.
What are my skills? What are my talents? What can I do to make money? Those are just a few of the many questions you should ask yourself. You need to know what your skills are, just like you need to know your talents. If you can combine those two elements together, you’ll have a way to start generating ideas for a business opportunity.
I start making dough for Christmas cookies in October. I freeze it. Then all I have to do is roll it out and make all my Christmas cookies. Saves lots of time.
A few things: We try to have all shopping done before Dec. 1. We have convinced our families to do "secret santa" format of gift giving to lower the gift load and costs. We set expectations in advance of which side of the family we are with and we don't try to pack in visits to everyone. We also try to do things not related to gifts, lke participating in the Audobon annual christmas bird count. And an extra glass of wine here and there goes a long way :-)
The past few years, with money so tight (hello, daycare bankruptcy!), I've had to just suck up the fact that I cannot buy gifts for everyone I would like to buy gifts for. Where its been possible, I've bought things for my siblings, and let them buy the bulk of toys and Christmas clothes for my children. We focus on buying a tree and doing holiday activities. You can only do what you can!
I have a 2007 Honda Civic sedan with 45,000 miles and a 2012 Toyota Sienna LE with 86,000 miles. Just paid of the Sienna. Feels great being free of car payments! The plan is to take the $600 saved each month and put it as extra payments towards the mortgage. Thanks for the article!
Purchasewisely - Keep in mind that my guidelines are based on gross income, not take-home pay.
Still, I hear ya. Those living in high housing cost areas may need to devote more of their monthly gross income to housing. Of course, that means you'll need to spend less than I recommend in other areas, such as entertainment or vacations.
But my bigger point is that no matter where we live, the ability to save and invest adequately, live generously, and enjoy financial margin will usually require spending less than most other people around us spend on housing.
To keep stress levels low throughout the holidays, I focus on what Christmas is really about - the birth of Jesus Christ. I keep the decorations simple...most can be left out after Christmas. Our children are all adults now, so we keep the cost of gifts very low. This year we're doing an ugly Christmas sock gift exchange with a $20 spending limit, which includes the price of the socks and the bow. I love celebrating with my family best. We'll eat well, play some games, watch a movie, and maybe bake some cookies together.
I've been following Donna Freedman for some time and love her outlook and ability to problem solve. There are many of us who find her advice priceless. Thanks for the book offer. Whoever wins will benefit.
I balance doing things for me, like running and reading, with things like spending time with family. I also just tell myself that the holidays don't last too long. Generally though, I don't get too stressed during the holidays, I just enjoy them.
We can't imagine being the person to catch a memorable game ball. Those deals are very tempting and at the same time very deceiving. If I were a collector, i would never sell or switch that memorabilia for anything. It will become my most priced possession. The thought that you'll need security for catching a valuable memorabilia is scary enough but at the same time so worth it! Anyone would be so proud!
Fund Emergency saving is always a need especially for the time when unnecessary situation came, you know you always have something to get off your savings to pay for medical expenses for example. Emergency saving can be use for yourself or family member as well. I always encourage this one.
I don't find the holidays to be particularly stressful. I'm in my early 30s and years ago, decided to shed the worst part of the holidays - forced consumerism - and instead focused on the things that truly make the season enjoyable. I focus on love, laughter, spending time with friends and family, and making time for my own leisure.
I prioritize what's most important. Whatever is not on the "most important" list can go undone without any feelings of guilt. Family time trumps gift-buying, cookie-making and all the rest.
When you’re just getting started to make your own home business, you need to sit down and think. You should also write down what you need to do, just so you can reference your notes later. You’ll need notes, because if you want to start a business, there’s a lot of things you need to consider.
What are my skills? What are my talents? What can I do to make money? Those are just a few of the many questions you should ask yourself. You need to know what your skills are, just like you need to know your talents. If you can combine those two elements together, you’ll have a way to start generating ideas for a business opportunity.
I avoid feeling stressed during the holidays by doing a lot of online shopping and planning ahead for everything.
Great advice! We should all learn to live on a lesser level.
I start making dough for Christmas cookies in October. I freeze it. Then all I have to do is roll it out and make all my Christmas cookies. Saves lots of time.
I would love to win a copy!
I avoid stressing out during the holidays by not giving in to consumerism. What I love most about the holidays is the food!
A few things: We try to have all shopping done before Dec. 1. We have convinced our families to do "secret santa" format of gift giving to lower the gift load and costs. We set expectations in advance of which side of the family we are with and we don't try to pack in visits to everyone. We also try to do things not related to gifts, lke participating in the Audobon annual christmas bird count. And an extra glass of wine here and there goes a long way :-)
The past few years, with money so tight (hello, daycare bankruptcy!), I've had to just suck up the fact that I cannot buy gifts for everyone I would like to buy gifts for. Where its been possible, I've bought things for my siblings, and let them buy the bulk of toys and Christmas clothes for my children. We focus on buying a tree and doing holiday activities. You can only do what you can!
I avoid stressing out by starting holiday shopping early
I have a 2007 Honda Civic sedan with 45,000 miles and a 2012 Toyota Sienna LE with 86,000 miles. Just paid of the Sienna. Feels great being free of car payments! The plan is to take the $600 saved each month and put it as extra payments towards the mortgage. Thanks for the article!
I love the holidays and don't really get too stressed about them.
I give mostly cash or gift cards to avoid shopping.
Purchasewisely - Keep in mind that my guidelines are based on gross income, not take-home pay.
Still, I hear ya. Those living in high housing cost areas may need to devote more of their monthly gross income to housing. Of course, that means you'll need to spend less than I recommend in other areas, such as entertainment or vacations.
But my bigger point is that no matter where we live, the ability to save and invest adequately, live generously, and enjoy financial margin will usually require spending less than most other people around us spend on housing.
To keep stress levels low throughout the holidays, I focus on what Christmas is really about - the birth of Jesus Christ. I keep the decorations simple...most can be left out after Christmas. Our children are all adults now, so we keep the cost of gifts very low. This year we're doing an ugly Christmas sock gift exchange with a $20 spending limit, which includes the price of the socks and the bow. I love celebrating with my family best. We'll eat well, play some games, watch a movie, and maybe bake some cookies together.
I've been following Donna Freedman for some time and love her outlook and ability to problem solve. There are many of us who find her advice priceless. Thanks for the book offer. Whoever wins will benefit.
I buy Holiday gifts all year long and look for good deals so I am not rushed during the Holidays looking for all my gifts.
I avoid stressing out by ordering a holiday meal instead of cooking it.
I balance doing things for me, like running and reading, with things like spending time with family. I also just tell myself that the holidays don't last too long. Generally though, I don't get too stressed during the holidays, I just enjoy them.
would love to win a copy , great to read and refer back to and great info to share.
We can't imagine being the person to catch a memorable game ball. Those deals are very tempting and at the same time very deceiving. If I were a collector, i would never sell or switch that memorabilia for anything. It will become my most priced possession. The thought that you'll need security for catching a valuable memorabilia is scary enough but at the same time so worth it! Anyone would be so proud!
Make a list of what you need so you don't just buy random things you don't need
Fund Emergency saving is always a need especially for the time when unnecessary situation came, you know you always have something to get off your savings to pay for medical expenses for example. Emergency saving can be use for yourself or family member as well. I always encourage this one.
This is the reason why it is important to pay bills as early as possible to avoid such negative effect on the credit score. Thanks for the post!