OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD 2012

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Early Christmas Shopping

Managed to finish some Christmas shopping today. Myself and my grandaughter went to the mall to shop for her and her 2 sisters and 2 brothers. I really tried to stay close to the marked down racks and find things that they might like. But that did not last for long at all. I did manage to find really cute clothes for them AND they were on sale so I probably did some damage but I think it could have been worse. Right now, I don't have the totals but I will get them togther and report them tomorrow. I am really tired tonight, this dayling savings still has me getting up way too early on the weekends. Five AM today. So, I stayed up, went and did some grocery shopping to get it over with. I did have my list and I did bring my coupons. Again I will report the totals tomorrow. I did lots of driving today, as the grandaughter lives an hour away and then the mall was another mall away. So lots of traveling and I am pooped.

I think next year I will have my own personal Christmas Club account. I will probably keep it at ING or Emigrant, and it just might be a "catagory" as opposed to a completely seperate account. How much to spend on Christmas well,, I don't know. Any suggestions?

But, I will need to plan for next year so the shopping does'nt stress me or my budget. So, I will update more tomorrow and I hope you all have a good night.

4 comments:

Denise Mall said...

I have a $50 sign up bonus for ING if you have $250 you could deposit at startup. That's free money.

email me if you are interested.

Nichole Ellis said...

Lisa,

FlyLady.net has a Holiday Control Journal that is free to download. You could print one now and start it for next year. I like to use it, so when I find bargains throughout the year I can mark them in the journal and know that person is "bought" for (and I mark where I hid the gift, so I don't have to go buy another one, lol).

In addition to providing organizational tips for your home for holidays, there is a section for presents, letting you figure out a budget for what you need to send, mail, make, for cards and all that good stuff. You could add to it for your needs, or take away. I usually print out extra blank sheets for presents in case I mess it up. It also helps you figure out what you'll need to purchase for special holiday foods, etc. Not so many surprises and extra trips to the store.

Also, if you have a layaway program at your local stores, you might try those. While it's hard to think of Christmas in August and September, it's proven a big boon to our household. We pay cash for 90%-100% of our Christmas and it's a little at a time instead of a few lump sums. I just got one out and have another to get out on December 1st.

Best of luck!

Lisa said...

Hi Nichole,

The FlyLady.net is a great site. Lots of information!! I printed out the sheets and will use them to help keep track of my Holiday spending.

Thanks!

Nichole Ellis said...

Lisa,

FlyLady.net has a Holiday Control Journal that is free to download. You could print one now and start it for next year. I like to use it, so when I find bargains throughout the year I can mark them in the journal and know that person is "bought" for (and I mark where I hid the gift, so I don't have to go buy another one, lol).

In addition to providing organizational tips for your home for holidays, there is a section for presents, letting you figure out a budget for what you need to send, mail, make, for cards and all that good stuff. You could add to it for your needs, or take away. I usually print out extra blank sheets for presents in case I mess it up. It also helps you figure out what you'll need to purchase for special holiday foods, etc. Not so many surprises and extra trips to the store.

Also, if you have a layaway program at your local stores, you might try those. While it's hard to think of Christmas in August and September, it's proven a big boon to our household. We pay cash for 90%-100% of our Christmas and it's a little at a time instead of a few lump sums. I just got one out and have another to get out on December 1st.

Best of luck!

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