Greetings Friends! Reflecting upon the past ten months, we all have much to thank the Lord! I know many of you have seen God’s Hand in accomplishing financial goals in 2006 and in answering many prayers. I want to thank you for your continued friendship, prayers, encouragement and readership!
WEBSITES
Here are a couple of sites to review for new ideas on frugal living.
My friend, Tammie, recommends for parents of babies that they go to websites of baby food and baby formula manufacturers to register for free coupons. She said most diaper manufacturers have printable coupons on their websites. Bottom line, if you frequently purchase an item, check the manufacturer’s website for coupons, deals, and special offers.
Please help spread the word about this site! Tell your friends to link to www.letjesusshine.com. I intend to post monthly newsletters by the 10th of each month.
NOVEMBER SHOPPING
Laptops: Micro Center (www.microcenter.com) and at least one other retailer are advertising for sale in early November laptops at prices under $400 (before tax). The Micro Center laptop also offers a $50 rebate. If you are looking for an inexpensive computer, maybe this is your deal! Usually when one retailer offers an incredible deal like this before holidays, other competitors follow. Watch for inexpensive laptops before Christmas!
Chic-fil-a: Two ideas for those who enjoy dining at Chic-fil-a. Tis the season for the annual cow calendar with coupons that offer free food for 2007. This year’s calendar (only $5) offers more coupons for food items than last year’s calendar. Secondly, Chic-fil-a is offering a free chicken sandwich coupon when you bring in a gift-filled shoe box for Operation Christmas Child. This offer is for a limited time and may vary with your local restaurant. Thus, check to see the offer is valid. From what I read on the offer, you need to bring your shoe boxes by November 20 to be considered for the coupon. Even without the coupon…consider having your family participate this Christmas season with Operation Christmas Child or Angel Tree (Prison Fellowship ministry).
Bath & Body Works: This retailer is offering all kinds of coupons and deals. Check at the cashier prior to shopping if you don’t enter the store with a coupon. I’ve enjoyed several coupons where I made purchases of at least $10 and received free merchandise up to $13 in value.
Photo Christmas Cards: Check out www.vistaprint.com . I also got a deal on my business cards at this site.
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS
Next month, I’ll try to offer more ideas; however, to avoid the rush, let me start now. In a nutshell, if you can control the spending limits (amount spent per gift) and the number of gifts you purchase, this will reduce much of the Christmas financial pressure. First, reduce gift giving wherever you can. Spending less results in saving more. In instances where you are exchanging gifts out of tradition instead of with the “spirit of love,” try to discontinue the tradition this year. For example, with neighborhood groups or co-workers, challenge folks to use the money otherwise spent on trivial gifts towards a charitable activity. For example, donate items or money to a local shelter or children’s home. Within your family, like with children, reduce the number of gifts to 1-3. If children are older, explain how you’re increasing their college savings accounts or paying off family debt to work towards a family goal. Use the experience positively to teach money management to your kids. If children are really young, they won’t notice the reduced number of gifts. Second, if you find yourself in “must exchange” scenarios, like with a “Secret Santa” program where you feel cannot “opt out,” then shop at The Dollar Tree. You can find all kinds of gift items at $1.00/each. In these situations, buy 2-3 items and create a gift bag or basket for less than $5. In some cases, you could give a nice notepad or candy item costing only $1, along with a Christmas card, and remove the focus from elaborate spending. Buy NOW at The Dollar Tree because selection is greatly reduced the closer it is to Christmas.
Similarly, I give some teachers and church volunteers gifts during Thanksgiving season instead of at Christmas. I take time to write a personal note of thanks for the work they accomplish with my children. By giving the gift at Thanksgiving, the focus is on gratitude, and not on the gift itself. This also makes your gift “stand out” because it is not one of many, as it could be during Christmas time.
Thirdly, with family or long-term friends, offer the idea of drawing names and limiting expenditures to $10 or $20. If you can control the spending limits and the number of gifts you purchase, this reduces some of the financial pressure. With my family, we’ve had years when we’ve drawn names and years where we’ve set spending limits. Both have worked well. The key to these ideas is managing expectations.
Lastly, if you are looking for a way to thank coaches, music teachers, physical therapists, or special people in your family’s life, consider one of these six ideas for less than $5/each: (1) frame a photo with an inexpensive frame purchased at a store like Target; (2) give an edible gift like a batch of brownies or cookies (folks are so busy in December they appreciate a food gift they’ve not had to bake themselves); (3) McDonald’s gift card with $5 will buy 5 items on the dollar menu—almost everyone loves McD’s; (4) Shower Gel or Lotion – Check out The Dollar Tree or Bath & Body Works for options $1-$5; (5) Gift Card (ex: Blockbuster or Best Buys or any store the recipient truly shops)—whether your gift card buys an entire item or just helps the recipient towards a future purchase, the thought will be appreciated; (6) memo or note pad from a craft store (Michael’s or A.C. Moore) at $1/each.
EXCURSIONS
Free Entertainment: For the next 6-8 weeks, check out local churches, community centers, schools, and malls for free entertainment. Avoid impulse shopping at the malls— but enjoy the fabulous Christmas music and performances. This is a fun way to make family memories for free.
Craft Shows: Craft shows are great places to get ideas for gifts you can create. They’re also good places to find “one of a kind” items for people who are more challenging on your gift list. While craft shows are not always a “low cost provider” of gifts, they are usually enjoyable and help stimulate creative ideas. Sometimes it is better to pay a little more at a craft show and know that your shopping is completed than to get out in huge mall crowds and endure loads of ill-will and poor customer service, not to mention parking lot attitudes. Reminder for my Northern VA friends—-If you’re looking for crafts, the following shows are upcoming.Nov. 18 – Thomas Jefferson High School (Springfield) – no entry fee
Nov. 25-26 – Lee District RECenter (Alexandria) – entry fee ($2, I think)
Dec. 2-3– Audrey Moore/Wakefield RECenter Holiday Arts & Crafts Show - $2 entry fee
TIPS
Wal-Mart: If you pinch pennies, you probably shop at Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart used to be one of my favorite places to shop. However, for the near term, I won’t be shopping at Wal-Mart. I have recently decided to not support this retailer because of their policies about gays and lesbians. You can read more at www.afa.net and decide for yourself. I encourage you to put your principles first and see how God honors your commitment. I am excited to see how God opens doors with Wal-Mart’s competitors. This may be the most lucrative opportunity in years for smaller chains and local businesses! I hope you’ll join me in taking a stand on this issue, which the Bible clearly indicates is a sin against God.
Thanksgiving (& Christmas) Meals: Save a few pennies by cooking only one entrée— turkey or ham. Often families, including my own, have the tradition of multiple meats during holiday meals. This Thanksgiving, prepare one entrée. If you are having guests, consider a “potluck approach” for desserts or side items. This will save you some time and a few pennies.
Kids Sporting Events: As your sporting season draws to a close and you’re looking for a great place to celebrate, I have found Jerry’s Pizza (at Manchester Lakes) to be an exceptional value and location. The pizza is affordable and coupons are often featured in in-home mailers. The environment is kid-friendly. Menu offerings include sandwich options for adults. The setting is indoors, which is a big plus if your season ends in November. My recommendation on an affordable, “easy,” kid-friendly location for end-of-season celebrations is Jerry’s (Kingstowne location is wonderful).
FAITH CHALLENGE
Ready for a opportunity to share your faith globally without leaving your home???? Go to http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/religion/ (Washington Post’s webpage featuring Religion). At this webpage you can learn about submitting a short article telling in 400 words or less about a time of crisis that tested your faith, the person who most influenced your beliefs or a life-changing event that shaped your spiritual identity. E-mail your comments to faith@washpost.com and include a daytime phone number. I encourage you to pray about doing this within the next week. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have several evangelical Christians submit stories/articles that are subsequently on the Washington Post’s website testifying to the wonderful grace and faithfulness of our Lord Jesus?
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What a great time of sharing I had with the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group at First Baptist Church Alexandria in October! Feedback from the group was most encouraging! If you are a MOP in Northern Virginia (or if you know of a mom with a child under the age of six), consider joining a MOPS group! MOPS is a fabulously encouraging fellowship promoting motherhood and offering supportive information through guest speakers and informal sharing. Check out www.mops.org or a location near you!If you have a church or civic organization, and you’re looking for a speaker, I would love to talk with you about the opportunity. Not only do I speak about financial matters, but I enjoy sharing about spiritual topics. Thank you to those of you who have inquired about my book, Face of Courage. I’m having a lot of fun telling folks about my book and sharing in this ministry!
Joy to you! Michele Buschman
“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
I Thessalonians 5:18.