Controling Holidays Spending

This week the holidays will officially begin and so has spending.

The holidays have become a season of over indulgence from food to sharing materialistic items. The abundant economic prosperity our country has experienced came to a halt as Americans struggle to stay afloat. It is in time of adversity that we find the true meaning of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year.

How to control the holidays and make them the best ever yet:

1. Make gathering with family and friends the focal point of the holidays and give thanks for what you have "each other". Appreciate every minute you share together for this is what makes memories that will last for eternity.

2. Start a tradition of each member of your thanksgiving gathering expressing what they are thankfull for. Have them write it, turn it into a display and after the holidays make a scrapbook to share with them every year. Take pictures to incorporate into the scrapbook.

3. Instead of buying everyone a gift why not exchange names. Decide on a spending minimum and maximum. Have everyone write their name and 3 items they would enjoy receiving whose value are within the agreed amounts.

4. Buy what you can afford today.

5. Put away the plastic whenever possible.

6. Before you go to the stores have a list of names and what you are buying. Do your homework and check the sales.

Remember that material things we give do not last and are often discarded. What matters and last is the love and spiritual meaning we give each other. Those memories last forever.

Enjoy your HOLIDAYS AND GOD BLESS YOU!