TOO BROKE FOR CHRISTMAS

SAVING CHRISTMAS DOLLARS WHEN YOUR KIDS ARE ADULTS WHILE MAKING THEM HAPPY

 

 

I got this idea from a good friend. Every year she gives her daughter a family treasure.

It can be as simple as some recipes  for food she always loved when growing up or the recipe prepared and cutely packaged along with the recipe printed up.

 She has also passed along antique goodies from her own Grandmother, cook books, a jar of buttons, little keepsakes such as old jam jars, or embroidered bookmarks. A basket full at a time. Other years she passes along larger items such as a table or magazine rack.

 

I see this as a win win situation for mother and adult child. Mom gets to declutter, save money and - hopefully - please her children while saving family heirlooms and history for future generations while the adult children are getting something money can not buy. 

 

BLESSINGS, GILLY

TOO BROKE FOR CHRISTMAS ? PART 5

MY FAVORITE EASY & CHEAP HOLIDAY MEAL

 



                                                                                                                                                       

 

Last year for the first time ever I had only one person to spend Thanksgiving with. That lucky person was my youngest son. : )

 

Since there was just the two of us we decided it was ridiculous to cook the usual large turkey and even a turkey breast seemed too big and we didn't want to fuss. Neither of us felt like going out for dinner either.

 

I thought of one of our favorite meals that I make now and then - a turkey roast - just the right size for two , microwave mashed potatoes, canned vegetables, and we added canned cranberries, Stove Top Stuffing, store bought rolls that we tossed in the oven and pies from the bakery.

 

It was a wonderful day! instead of slaving in the kitchen I  put the turkey roast in the oven in its own  disposable tin foil pan ( no soaking or scrubbing required after dinner) that is also home to a lot of delicious gravy! It takes 2 and 3/4 hours to cook so guess who was watching the Macy  Thanksgiving  Day parade with her feet up?

 

After 2 and 1/2 hours I wandered into the kitchen and whipped up the the rest of the too darned easy food. : )

 

It took less than 10 minutes to clean up after dinner

and then it was time for movies - NO FOOTBALL! YAY!

 

The turkey roast is A bit over $3 and altogether dinner cost $13 - for two - and there were leftovers.

A perfect dinner and the easiest, most peaceful Holiday Dinner I ever experienced!

 

This year my other two sons joined us for Thanksgiving and I bought 3 turkey roasts and 2 microwave mashed potatoes : ) . After nuking the potatoes I emptied both  containers into a casserole dish and put them in the oven to keep warm. No one minded - everyone enjoyed the meal. One son pointed out that since none of us liked dark meat or drumsticks a turkey would be a waste. ( their father used to take care of that)

My only problem - football was back. : (

Blessings, Gilly

P.S. Will I do it again on Christmas? Stay tuned to find out.

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

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