Search Results for: blog five tips for safe holiday shopping

Home Safety: Entertaining Holiday Guests

Safety. It may not be the first thing we think about when entertaining holiday guests. We’re busy getting things ready for the holidays, and preparing the guest room and other spaces to ensure that our guests are happy and comfortable throughout their stay. Whether guests are visiting for the day, or coming for an extended visit, there are a few important things to keep in mind. Dangers Lurking in Luggage Our guests may not have small children or pets in their homes and may not realize that their luggage could be an invitation for kids or pets to explore something … Continue reading →

Heirloom Holiday Gifts

This holiday season is presenting some real opportunities, despite the less optimistic appearance of the gift giving season in some regards. The opportunities for getting back to basics, giving simple toys as gifts, is one of those opportunities. Handmade gifts that may well become heirloom pieces is another. Create beautiful elements to go with existing toys. A patchwork quilt or handmade doll furniture are items that can be passed from generation to generation. Baby doll clothes or hand stitched outfits for Barbie may well inspire you to explore your inner fashion designer, while at the same time giving your little … Continue reading →

Countdown to Thanksgiving: Five Days Away

How’s it going? Are you feeling good and getting things done? Today’s list contains at least one chore that most people dread: Cleaning the Oven There’s nothing worse than having the aromas of homemade pie and succulent turkey overtaken by the smell of something burning, so make sure the oven is clean and ready to go. A non-stick, dishwasher-safe, oven liner is a great investment and it will help you avoid this chore in the future. Decorating Okay, now that the oven is shiny and clean, how about something a little more fun, like decorating for Thanksgiving? It doesn’t have … Continue reading →

Tips for the Best Holiday Shopping Deals

In many shops and stores, sales are in full swing, but they usually get even better the closer we get to Christmas (not to mention the great bargains after Christmas!). Yet, there are some extra ways that you can make sure you get all the best deals. In Store Specials First, check with your favorite stores for preferred customer discounts. You can call, but many prefer that customers ask in person. Ask the cashier at the check out or seek information at the customer service desk. Also, ask about in store coupons or other special promotions that are not always … Continue reading →

Five Tips for Safe Holiday Shopping

That’s right! There are only 24 shopping days left until Christmas, and that’s including Christmas Eve! Be sure that in your hurry to get everything done, you don’t make mistakes that could be costly. Here are some tips to help make your holiday shopping experiences safer: 1. Clear out the trunk or storage area in your vehicle before you go shopping, so you can store your purchases there. If the area can be viewed, bring along a blanket to cover up your purchases. Never leave handbags, wallets, or change lying on seats or in cup holders even if doors are … Continue reading →

The ABC’s of Frugal Living: 26 Tips to Live a More Frugal Life

The ABC’s of Frugal Living – 26 Tips to Live a More Frugal Life The frugal living blog at families.com is chock full of great information to help you live a more frugal lifestyle. We all strive to save money and the bloggers in this category are here to help. A: Amazing Dates Have a date night for less! New Cheap Date Ideas A Cheap And Fun Date Idea It’s Date Night Date Night On a Budget B: Budgeting Make a plan and stick to it. Be sure you watch where your money goes each month and try to do … Continue reading →

Santa vs. Generous Grandparents

Who needs Santa when you’ve got grandparents? There have been many times when I have seriously considered hiding some of the dozens of Christmas presents my parents have sent my daughter and attaching gift tags that read, “From: Santa Claus” and sticking them under the tree on December 25th. My parent’s generosity is overwhelming… not that I’m complaining (my kid sure isn’t). It’s just that it’s getting harder and harder for me… I mean Santa… to compete with grandma and grandpa when it comes to holiday gift giving. For the record I should note that my 4-year-old is very blessed … Continue reading →

Home Week in Review: December 17 – 23

Soon! Very soon, Christmas will be here and we have lots of Christmas articles this week: Are you following the Christmas countdown? Hopefully, some of these items will be helpful as you prepare for the big day. Eight Days ’til Christmas Seven Days ’til Christmas Six Days til Christmas Five Days ’til Christmas Four Days ’til Christmas Three Days ’til Christmas Two Days ’til Christmas Mary Ann offered some holiday tips on everything from holiday safety to holiday shipping and tips concerning poinsettias, so don’t miss any of these great articles: Christmas Tree Safety Tips (1) Christmas Tree Safety Tips … Continue reading →

If the Weather outside is frightful…

It is that time of year again. The weather can do some crazy things, and that’s even more true if you live in an area that is prone to drastic weather changes. We actually have days here that may be sunny and a nice, warm 75 degrees but drop more than 40-50 degrees by late that night. That’s a big difference in a 24 hour period! Sometimes, it’s even more extreme. Have you ever had the air conditioning on during the day and the heat running at night? I try to avoid such uses of energy, but there have been … Continue reading →

Are Your Credit Cards getting a Workout?

Instead of giving credit cards a workout, try putting them on a diet if you want to save money over the long term. This time of year, it’s tempting to break out the plastic. I have sworn off plastic myself, but I know many people that can’t help getting a little carried away during the holidays. It’s easy to do! There are some other things to keep in mind about credit cards too. For one thing, you can sign up to pay your bill online with many different cards. This is a great option if you happen to be running … Continue reading →