There’s been a lot of talk lately about what we can learn from how our grandparents got through the Great Depression. My American grandparents died when I was very young so I don’t know too much about what they did other than a very vivid memory of my father’s mother telling me that when she was a young girl all she got for Christmas was an orange and a new toothbrush.
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Purchasing batteries seems to be a requirement today. Between all the electronically based games that children play and a need for flashlights and remote controls, having batteries around the house is a necessity, not a luxury. Still, most batteries are fairly expensive little items. Is there a way to get what you need without paying a fortune? Yes.
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The exchanging of gifts is one of the core aspects of the winter holidays celebration, making the holiday season the most profitable time of year for retailers. In the U.S., the holiday shopping season begins on the day after Thanksgiving, known as Black Friday, and the frenzy often lasts until the very last minute.
Shopping Stress
But the shopping frenzy has its downside. Just Google the phrase “holiday shopping stress,” and you’ll get over 5,000 results. On the front page, you’ll find titles such as “How To Reduce Holiday Shopping Stress,” “Holiday Shopping Stress Relief,” and “Tips for taking the stress out of holiday shopping.”
If we all know holiday shopping is stressful, not to mention expensive and in many cases wasteful, why do we continue doing it, year after year? Is gift-giving truly such an integral part of the winter holidays? And has this always been the case?
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The new year is getting close. In the next month or so, many of us are going to be considering a resolution or two to start off 2011 a little better than we’re ending 2010. Most resolutions revolve around three topics: improving your health, improving your happiness and improving your finances. It’s very easy to make resolutions about money, but keeping those resolutions can be just as difficult as trying out a new diet. There are some ways to make the process a little easier.
1. Make Your Resolution As Automatic As Possible
One of the most basic principles of successful money management is knowing the difference between needs and wants. Indeed, nearly everything about successful personal finances hinges on your ability to determine the difference between something you actually need to have, and something you merely want. Being able to draw this line is an important one, and failure to recognize the difference between needs and wants has led many into crushing debt.
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Donating things that you no longer want or need to charity is an excellent way to help those in need while also clearing your house of clutter and perhaps getting a nice deduction on your taxes. However, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind before you load up the car to drop off your donations.
Find out if the charity of your choice can accept your donation. If you are donating to a charity that runs a thrift store, such as Goodwill or the Salvation Army, you should be aware that they often decline to accept items that they are unable to sell because of safety concerns or lack of demand such as infant car seats and certain electronics.
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