TOO BROKE FOR CHRISTMAS

THRIFTY GIFTING FOR WIVES OR GIRLFRIENDS

A friend was upset recently because he didn't see how he could afford more than $10 for a Christmas gift for his wife due to a lot of unexpected expenses.

Most of us have been in similar situations and I have known men who just didn't know what to do and didn't even explain to the woman in their life that they are broke. Just ignoring the whole thing can and has led to some very hurt feelings for women I know.

A simple solution is to head to your local Dollar Store. 
The stock in these stores changes often so I can't be sure what you will find but the following ideas are based on things I have seen on different occasions.

Movies -DVDs that appeal to women,  Box of Movie Candy (yup, that's the name of it)  pop corn ;) soda .choose a basket to put the movies, etc. in -add a really nice card and you are showing her you care and giving her a nice evening or two -

Bath stuff - Bubble bath, scented soap, scented candles, bath pillow, loofah, bath mitts - - - - there is a whole aisle of bath goodies, pick what looks interesting, pick out a cute Christmas Stocking - make sure everything fits. Sometimes they have recorded Cds of rain or other peaceful sounds - great little gift that is perfect for that peaceful bath.

Most women don't care how much or how little you spend, they want to know you care and are thoughtful enough to try to make them happy.

I would love to hear your ideas! Merry Christmas

TOO BROKE FOR CHRISTMAS

 

STRETCHING GROCERY  DOLLARS

Some simple, easy, and downright cheap meals:

 

 

Macaroni & Cheese

Cheese Omelets with Veggies

Canned Stew & Biscuits

Canned soup & crackers

Baked Ziti

Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Egg Salad Sandwiches

 

Snack Ideas:

 

Peanut Butter & Crackers

Raisins

Cocoa & Cookies

Pound Cake

Popcorn

Peanuts

 

All of the ingredients for these meals and snacks are sold at the Dollar Store and each meal would cost $2 or $3 to make for your family.

Each snack would be $1 or $2.

 

Guess what? They are even nutritious!

Eating this way will stretch your budget and hopefully leave some extra dollars for presents.

 

What are your favorite budget conscious meals?

 

Blessings, Gilly

 

 



TOO BROKE FOR CHRISTMAS ? Part 2

Saving money on holiday food 

Shopping for food for Christmas is a big job and pretty costly. One little tip to make it easier is buying some of the holiday goodies during your weekly grocery shopping for three or four weeks before Christmas. It makes it easier and the cost is spread out.

Another good idea is to try and cut down on the regular expenses those weeks by serving cheaper meals. This can help to keep the amount spent more or less the same as usual.

 

And speaking of good ideas - - - -

COUPONS !  If you aren't using them yet now is the time to start. They are time consuming and take some getting used to but it is worth it.
A good friend of mine recently used coupons for the first time and left the store with $30. worth of free food! She is one of many on unemployment and says the coupons are a big help. You might want to make this a family project or get together with friends - trading coupons you aren't going to use for ones you do want helps everyone and makes it a fun get together instead of just another boring chore.

My next post will be some terrific coupons I would like to share with you and some meal ideas that are quick and cheap.
If you have some favorites of your own that you would like to share I would love to hear from you.

Blessings, Gilly

Too broke for christmas ? Part 1

SAVING MONEY ON HOLIDAY MEALS


 Christmas Dinner can be expensive, especially if you are used to having a lot of friends and family members join you. 

One option is to turn it into a Bring A Dish Buffet. Be honest and tell everyone money is tight - they  are probably experiencing  some financial challenges too and will understand and be glad to do things differently. This makes the expense and the work ( shopping and cooking)  an evenly shared experience.

 This can wind up being a positive event in many ways; for starters it will encourage everyone to be honest about their own money problems and this can bring a new closeness into any group. Nearly everybody has been affected by the rising costs of food, heat, clothing, housing, and just about everything else while incomes have all too often decreased or almost disappeared.

 Some other bonuses include the great variety of food, the more casual, relaxed atmosphere, leftovers, which are a blessing for the following day when everyone is tired and really doesn't want to cook, AND the food is already paid for. Send everyone home with an equal share of each dish.

A buffet allows you to invite people outside of your usual group, and enables you to include people you would like to know better or a lonely neighbor who doesn't  have anyone to share the holiday with.

Of course if you have family members or friends who are not physically able to handle cooking  ask them to supply some sodas, wine, etc.

Finally, you might have someone who just can't afford to contribute anything - make it easy for them by telling them you have too much food coming and what you really need is some help making a centerpiece for the table or helping with the decorations, or shopping. And make sure your other guests know how much they helped.

Blessings, Gilly

Watch for part 2 and more ideas

TOO BROKE FOR CHRISTMAS ?

 

 

TOO BROKE FOR CHRISTMAS ?



 

I know a lot of people in our broken economy are really struggling financially and at this time of the year it is especially difficult.

 

Heating costs, holiday dinners, Christmas gifts and decorations, cards, the list goes on and on and so do the expenses. If you are on a limited income and worrying about how to deal with the holiday season you are not alone and you have come to the right place.

 

I am starting a new series called " Have a thrifty little Christmas" full of inexpensive, and even some free ideas for everything Christmas. Stop by tomorrow and start planning for a happy holiday that you can afford.   :)

 

Blessings, Gilly

 

 

 

                             

More Help For Restless Leg Syndrome

I have written about other remedies in the past that I had found helpful for Restless Legs but since not everything works for everybody I like to pass along any new things I discover.

My latest discovery for dealing with that unbearable twitchy, indescribably uncomfortable feeling in your feet and legs is a new way to use peppermint of all things.

I noticed this bottle of green Foot Lotion in the section devoted to bathtime products in the Dollar Store. The name of it is, quite simply, Peppermint Foot Lotion. It is said to be good for tired, aching feet and feels cool and soothing when you rub it into your skin. It sometimes tingles briefly and after a few moments you should notice that the restless discomfort is gone. It works for me and it is so nice to be able to deal with something so annoying so quickly and easily.

It is a good sized bottle too; 8.5 ounces - a lot  of foot relief for $1.00 and made in the USA . Good for Dollar Tree Stores!

                   FINALLY BACK                    

I intended to be back a lot sooner but somehow managed to get locked out of my own blog and was unable to get it fixed. (my computer skills are nearly non existent  but let's not let it get around)

Anyway, here I am - not really quite sure how : ) but it's the results that count right? My next post is about  - well, you will find out shortly.  : )