Santa Savings

The magic of Christmas, I think, is almost more fun for the parents than their children. Every parent wants to see anticipation the night before. What that anticipation turns into, excitement or disappointment, Christmas morning is up to us. Wow.. pressure. Sure does sound like we have more fun. How do we make sure our children's expectations don't exceed the budget?

1. Santa does not give what mom and dad cannot afford. My parents explained this to me when I asked why my friends received more than I did... I mean that's just not fair. Santa will not give you a Porsche when you can't afford the insurance.
2. Santa respects mom and dad's wishes. He will not give what we, as parents, feel to be inappropriate or unnecessary. This is why your friends may get the Teen Rated games, exuberant amounts of candy, or a cell phone and you won't.
3. Santa does give what you need. Socks and underwear... Need I say more. Plus this gives you the opportunity to not have Santa give all the good stuff leaving you with nothing to show.
4. Not everything Santa gives you can find at a store. I mean isn't that the point of his workshop? DIY (Do it yourself) goodies and toys from Santa.
5. Only do what you can maintain. If you start small, you have someplace to grow from. Small children will often enjoy the wrapping paper and boxes more than the actual presents often times; and they can get overwhelmed and not care much past the first few items. Don't over do yourself just because you can. You set the standard now. Expenses grow with age naturally as their attention turns away from blocks and towards electronics. The pinch can be felt as well with more children being added to the equation. That's not to say that splurging once in a while is forbidden; children will, however, see a pattern in over-abundance year after year and will come to expect that.
6. Back to Basics- Growing up we always received an orange in the toe of our stockings. This turned into chocolate orange slices when the new product was introduced. Yummy. While I love all the new flavors of the chocolate orange I miss the meaning behind the orange. (An orange used to be one of those things received only on special occasions). What better way to have realistic expectations of Christmas when we bring meaning back into it. Plus you can always buy the chocolate oranges the day after half priced.

Now for some SHOPPING Savings

Online- What a world of savings the Internet has opened up to us. Almost all of our shopping can be done from home.

• I have heard from several people that they received all of the great 'Black Friday' deals without leaving their homes. No absurd hours, violent crowds, out-of-stock, or waiting in long lines. Most retailers will do a ship-to-store for free and you pick up at your convenience.
• Comparing prices becomes super easy without the commute to each individual store.
• Items can be found on classified pages, ebay, amazon, etsy, ect. for much cheaper than at the actual store. Use caution when shopping this way as you could easily spend way more if you don't know the value of something. Don't just assume you will always get it cheaper. And search 'lowest price + shipping.' You could easily get swindled with outrageous shipping costs.
• Google discount codes and coupons for the website/retailer you plan on purchasing from. Codes can be used when checking out online and coupons can be printed to use at an actual location. When comparison price shopping free shipping, getting a percentage, or dollar amount off can change which company is offering the best deal.

After Deals- The best time to shop for a holiday is the day after that holiday. Stores discount to get rid of inventory to make room for the next big gig.While some things like certain candies may go stale, other things do just fine waiting for the next year. Things like : wrapping paper, decorations, cards, Christmas clothing and special item gifts. Waiting til after the season is a good time to shop for winter apparel as well. I personally love indulging on novelty Christmas goodies for half price. I will usually wait til the after sales to purchase these; and no need to wait til next year to consume them as I waited all season.

Look Out- Keep your eyes and ears open all year long. Things go on sale or are discounted all year long. You will have more time to find the price you can afford. Listening early on can create a surprise for the person who forgot they wanted something.

Save the Difference- Allot an amount that can be spent on each person. When an item is purchased at a reduced price, still count it as the original price and tuck away the savings. This also prevents, unknowingly, making someone feel that more or less was given to them compared to someone else.

TIP-Monitor credit card statements. "Thieves know when to strike. Using your card when you are making big purchases can disguise their attack allowing them to buy more with your credit unnoticed. Purchases with on-line retailers are the number one place to look first for identity theft." ~Citizen's Credit Bureau~

Charlie Brown Christmas

Ahh Christmas. The time of year we remember our loved ones with gift giving. The time of year we stress over the perfect present, we interpret a persons worth by how much money is spent on them, we turn violent for Black Friday deals, and rack up our credit cards with intentions of paying them off with our tax returns all in name sake of giving a gift. Sounds just like the spirit of commercialism and bad credit.

My sister, in an effort to help everyone save money on a particularly financially strapped Christmas several years ago, came up with a way for us to celebrate Christmas in a more meaningful, less commercialized fashion. Our mother had joked that year that our Christmas would be as bare as a Charlie Brown Christmas tree and thus my sister coined, this new approach to gift giving, the 'Charlie Brown Christmas'.

HOW IT WORKS

All gifts exchanged between family members must be White Elephant or DIY. Money is only allotted for materials needed to complete a gift. Nothing is to be bought as the whole of the gift. While this might just sound like another way of being frugal it is actually a way to give more personalized thoughtful gifts.

White Elephant- Usually one would think of this as a clever way to get rid of something that no one wants but one has or just a gag gift. While already having it is a key factor it should be something that the other person needs, wants, or may enjoy. My sister learned one year that my grandmother was planning on giving me a food dehydrator. She begged my grandmother to take it back so that she could give me the one she received as a wedding gift but did not use enough to make it worth storing. My sister spent nothing and I received a fairly priced gift I really wanted.

On a separate occasion my mother, knowing my love for root beer freezies, gave me a never-been-used shake mixer that she had sitting in the box for years.

DYI (Do It Yourself)- Numerous gifts can be made cheaper yourself than bought from a store. Plus finding an item customized to fit unique color, size, ect can be daunting. My husband is very tall and likes to wrap scarfs around his face multiple times thus finding a scarf adequately long enough for him was a challenge. This made making him one the perfect idea. I had recently learned how to knit and now could custom make him a scarf that would not only be the right color but also the right length. I even had enough yarn left over to make a hat to match the following year.

My husband, one year, bought me a couple of pillows I had been admiring at a thrift shop. Upon bringing them home he threw them in the washer for a good clean only to find that the stuffing had exploded from inside the cases. With the help of his mother (purely instructional), her sewing machine he made new custom fit pillows, out of old pillows sitting in the back of the closet and spare fabric, to go inside the cases (as in he actually used the sewing machine).

Other DIY Ideas that my family have made-

• My brother made my father a saw horse.
• I fixed several of my sisters broken, childhood necklaces for her daughters.
• My husband cut, sanded, painted, and decaled a 2x4 into wooden blocks that spelled 'love (heart)' on one side and 'laugh' on the other. (Pictured above)
• I sewed my husband a pair of flannel PJ's.
• My brother-in-law cut, sanded, and stained a set of blocks of different shapes and sizes for his children.
• My grandmother crotchet a Christmas tree skirt for each grandchild's family.
• My husband and I quite frequently make chocolate covered pretzels and marshmallows to give to friends.
• My sister this year made pure vanilla extract to give away and little jars of chili spice mix for those who would have no use for vanilla.
• My husband is taking the concept of a homemade heating bag and is going to make our 1 1/2 year old daughter a teddy bear from jeans, filled with dry beans. Before we leave we warm it in the microwave and she will have something she can play with and stay warm.
• I'm making washable makeup pads out of bamboo fabric for my mother.

'Charlie Brown Christmas' isn't just about saving money.

At the end of the movie 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' the beautiful Christmas Tree was the same tree that Charlie Brown thought would be a good one; it just needed a little time spent decorating it. A gift that has thought and time put into it will mean more than a price tag. Its no longer just a good deal, something that we happened upon that matched qualifications, or an item requested off a wish list. It becomes personable.

My father went to a recording studio and recorded a few of the songs he had wrote and gave each of my siblings a copy. While this gift did cost quite a bit, a price tag could not have been placed on it. We all cried hearing his voice and guitar on something that will continue to play after he is gone.

Of all the Christmas's I have participated in, as an adult without mom/dad doing all the work, I have enjoyed the 'Charlie Brown Christmas's' the most. So much in fact that we, my husband and I, celebrate gift giving in the same manner now. The stress from finances and expectations are not missed. And it is so much fun to see, not only the thought and time spent on us, but also the talents our loved ones posses.

TIP- DIY gifts are great and meaningful for all occasions. My siblings and in laws love when I make them jam for their birthdays. And a friend made me a car seat cover for my baby shower that I love.

Alternative Cleaner

There are multiple, different cleaners for every item in your home: oven, stove top, toilet bowl, bathtub, wood, tile, rust, calcium deposits to just name a few of the individual jobs they may accomplish. I tried sticking to multipurpose cleaners to avoid having a closet full and still wound up with a good sized inventory. It wasn't until I was pregnant and choking on the fumes of everyday household cleaners that I became determined to find an alternative.

Vinegar and baking soda. Vinegar disinfects while baking soda is abrasive. NEVER MIX VINEGAR WITH BLEACH (creates toxic fumes).

• Kitchen- Dilute vinegar, half water, to clean sinks, counter tops, and stove tops. Sprinkle with baking soda for tough messes and use undiluted vinegar.

• Bathroom- Clean almost everything in the bathroom with undiluted vinegar. Clean by wiping down fixtures with vinegar. For built up scum wipe/spray area with vinegar, sprinkle with baking soda and scrub; or sprinkle the baking soda directly onto your sponge and scrub. Let vinegar sit in your toilet bowl and scrub. For stubborn toilet bowl rings combine vinegar and baking soda.

• Windows/Mirrors- Dilute vinegar, half water, in a spray bottle. Once the window or mirror is dry use a clean dry cloth (preferably microfiber) to rub off water spots.

• Bare Floors- Add vinegar to a bucket of water to mop. For an extra thorough clean, sprinkle a small area with baking soda, drizzle vinegar, and scrub. Use a wet rag to wipe up baking soda as if cleaning a counter covered in crumbs; a mop will leave a gritty texture as it just pushes the baking soda around. Dry with a towel to prevent streaking.

• Drains- For slow running drains pour baking soda down and then vinegar. If the drain is completely clogged this may create more build up.

• Fabrics and Carpets- Use diluted vinegar to clean carpets or furniture of spills and smells. Great way to get rid of pet urine. Always test on small area before using. Although I have not encountered a problem yet, all my furniture is second hand.

Pros of using Vinegar and Baking Soda

-They are just another ingredient in numerous recipes that we eat frequently; in other words, non lethal if accidentally swallowed by our little ones or inhaled ourselves.

-They just replaced your kitchen, bathroom, floor, and drain cleaners.

Tips- Have a spray bottle filled with equal parts vinegar and water for more convenient cleaning. Vinegar and baking soda works on removing rust as well.

Switch, Unplug, or Turn It Off

There are several ways to cut the electricity bill; insulating pipes and attic, weatherizing windows, solar panels, and energy efficient appliances are just a few. All of these will pay for themselves in time but the upfront cost can be hard to swallow and may need time to have a budgeted amount set aside. Here are some ways that are cheaper to free.

Switch

• Switch out the old light bulbs- Energy saving bulbs may cost a little more than your average bulb, but they use 75. We have 980 watts worth of light bulbs in our home and replaced 837 of those watts with energy saving bulbs. That's only 143 watts being used if all of our lights are on. It will also minimize the effect on your bill from accidentally leaving a light on for too long. Yes, they do take a second to turn on and a short time to get bright, but I think that is nicer on the eyes, especially for a midnight bathroom visit.
• Take out surplus bulbs- Our bathroom is just as well lit with 2 energy bulbs as it was with 4 vanity bulbs (30 watts compared to 240). We also removed our porch light, to avoid accidentally leaving it on, because our landlord has a shared watch light.
• Switch the thermostat to a higher/lower degree- Higher in the summer and lower in the winter just a a degree or two will save you money.

Unplug

• Unplug the TV, radio, microwave, computer, and other electronics that keep time or have memory-  75% of the electricity used to power them is consumed while they are turned off because they still draw power while plugged in.
• Try using a power strip- Power strips are much easier to turn off then unplugging multiple electronics.

Turn It Off

• If it doesn't need to be on, turn it off.
• Turn off the Lights- We have all heard it before but turning the lights off will save you in more than one way. First you will not be using unnecessary energy to light a room that is not in use. And second, you will not forget to turn the light off later. Ever leave a closet light on over night by accident? That jumps your bill especially if the light is not an energy saver.
• Turn off the power strip- Most commonly used for computers, printers, scanners, and TVs and  DVD players, Power strips are easy to turn off and keep the secret sappers from using energy.
• Turn off the computer.. or at least the monitor. Sleep mode is another good alternative. 
• Freeze Out- Turn off the AC. During the cold night and hot day combination, open your windows at night and close them before dawn. 'Freeze Out' to put off turning on the AC during the day. Use an extra blanket at night and bundle up in the morning. It is always easier to get warm than to get cool cheaply.
• Turn off water heater- or turn it to vacation or low while away for more than 3 days.

TIPS- For more ways to save energy visit http://www.rockymountainpower.net/res/sem/het.html. Find energy saving programs with incentives.

Eating Out

Eating out can be the biggest pocket book breaker. The convenience of having a quick meal, or the splurge on a dish that includes ingredients that are to highly priced to be a staple can lure anyone.

Brown Bag It

Pack a lunch. Whether for work, school, or car trips, brown bagging it will save you BIG. Don't have time to pack a lunch? There are several ways to make packing easy on the fly.

• Premake Meals- Instead of buying the premade meals, burritos, and pizzas in the freezer section make them yourself and freeze them for future use. (These can be used for lazy days as well.)
• Leftovers- Always make extra when preparing a meal. Store the leftovers in single size containers in the fridge for a quick grab on the go, or in the freezer for long term storage.
• Premake Snacks- Small 6-8 oz containers are perfect in a hurry. Fill them with your favorite snacks, in advance, to add variety to your sack lunches. Fruit, veggies, yogurt, pudding, and jello are just a few ways to add variety to your sack lunch.

Substitute Splurges

Instead of eating out splurge on those ingredients you wouldn't normally buy. When my husband and I feel like going out for a nice juicy steak we head for the grocery store. While steak is one of those items usually to highly priced for our budget it is cheaper than eating out.

Split It

Share a dish when eating out. You get a taste for a meal you may not be capable of making yourself without breaking your budget. It's okay to leave a restaurant without being full.

TIP- Budget for eating out. You are more likely to follow some allowance than none at all.

Juice

Often times juice is given to small children watered down (half water/half juice). Why stop when they get older? Adding water in this manner doubles your juice while saving you money. This can also help with getting your water intake for the day. Some juices taste better than others watered down; some will only have a slight change while others will taste more like a Capri sun.  The amount of water you will want to add depends on the juice.

Experiment

Start by adding just half a can, extra, of water and taste it. If only one can extra is all you can handle than stick with that for awhile than try adding more later. After awhile, you will become so accustomed to the taste that regular juices will taste too sweet. Younger kids will probably not notice a difference. Try adding water to bottle juices as well.

TIPS- Add a pinch of salt to help magnify the flavor of juice. Add club soda to juice concentrate instead of water for a healthy carbonated beverage.

Shaving

My husband's shadow is thick and grows fast. If he used a blade every day he would burn through them faster than our pocket book would allow. However, we both prefer the shave a blade gives. How do we compensate while saving money at the same time? He has an electric for daily use, and a blade for Sundays and special occasions.

Ditch the Chick Blade

Use the man of your life's old blade. Guy razorblades are much sharper than chick ones. When his razor is no longer sharp enough for his use its perfect for yours.

Prolonging the Life of Your Blade

*Dip the blade in rubbing alcohol after each shave. Rubbing alcohol dries fast, doesn't leave residue, and will not rust the blade. (Also useful when cleaning washable electric razors.)

*Clean the blade by brushing it against your jeans. Rub the opposite direction you would shave so as not to cut your jeans. (This does not sharpen the blade, but it will feel sharper because it is clean.)

TIP-Use soap or conditioner instead of shaving cream. Conditioner will leave your skin feeling soft. All natural aloe vera can work as a substitute as well. However, my husband found that aloe clogged the blade faster and worked better as an after shave.