Is it possible to have a frugal Xmas?

With the economy in a worse state this Christmas than many prior, the question of whether it is possible to save money at this very commercial time is a valid one, particularly if you have kids.

I’m not sure if it is simply the “Spirit of Christmas” that makes you throw caution to the wind when spending or if it is just the hype of the “savings” advertised, however either way, it’s extremely difficult not to overspend.

So I ask you: is it possible to have a frugal Christmas? I think yes, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy.

Here are a few helpful tips to keep costs down to manageable during the festive season…without compromising the quality of your Christmas spread:

1. Plan ahead…although this one is a bit late for this year, it’s never too soon to start saving for Christmas. Put aside a fiver or tenner each week and you will be surprised how much you amass by the end of the year. Keep your eye out for specials and mid-year sales and whip up presents 6 months in advance. In some cases, you can end up paying up to half the cost!

2. Bargains are only bargains if you need what’s being sold. Do you REALLY need that extra towel, just because it’s 70% off?

3. Set yourself a budget of how much you are willing to spend this Christmas on presents. Then make a list of all the people you want to buy presents for. Allocate an amount for each person within that budget and stick to it.

4. Remember what Christmas is really all about. Kids these days get so many presents it’s untrue! Even by cutting back on two or three smaller gifts for each child, you can save yourself up to $50-$100 per child.

5. Make presents as opposed to buying them. An assortment of home made cookies wrapped up in cellophane with a ribbon is a lovely thoughful idea and costs considerably less than a store-bought gift many times.

6. When it comes to food and drinks for entertaining, why not make yourself some old eggnog, indulgent punch, or even iced tea? Bulk out a table full of food with platters of vegetables and home made dips, creative salads, and top it all off with some tasty fruit salad and cream or ice cream. Sure, you still need your Christmas chicken, turkey, or ham, and roast vegetables, but having “extras” around means you won’t need quite so much of it.

7. If you’re really broke then let your friends know you’ll get them something after Christmas when the sales are on or even that you flat out just can’t afford it this year. True friends will understand, even if you think they won’t!

Ultimately, Christmas is supposed to be a time where family gathers together to celebrate the birth of Christ…if you remember that, then you’ll be just fine.

Thanksgiving A Perfect Time To Say…

Thanksgiving is just around the corner now – funny how it creeps up every year, faster and faster, just like Christmas!

In any case, I am glad it does come around because without it, I might never stop and really contemplate how thankful I am for the people in my life. Though I will always be grateful that I have enough food to eat and a place to stay, money for petrol and small niceties, truthfully, it is the people in life that make the greatest difference.

And with so much on these days, it’s easy for days, months, and even years to pass without even saying a word about the matter.

However, with Thanksgiving, everyone is reminded to make mention of how appreciative they are for the friendship, support, love, and kinship of friends, work colleagues, and family.

So for all of you in my life, thank you for being a part of it.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

RIP Written Word

Shakespeare Knew His English!

Shakespeare, in my book, was not a looker. But he sure knew his English! How many millions of women through time have swooned at the words he wrote centuries ago. And what woman wouldn’t want someone to pen some of the most beautiful phrases just for her?

In the electronic world of technology, where longer emails have been replaced with texts using incorrect, abbreviated words, is it any wonder that the romance out of writing has all but disappeared?

Gone, it seems, are the days, of getting a single red rose mid-bloom and a romantic letter confessing undying love in no uncertain terms.

Though we may have a lot of things this century that make our lives easier, that move things along faster, and that get things done quicker, one thing that is having difficulty maintaining its place is the written word. People no longer write letters. Indeed, when was the last time you wrote one?

Love letters, along with the written word, seem to have been swallowed by progress, to feed a growing appetite that may never be satisfied.

What a pity.

Luckily, we still have Shakespeare to study. Though we may not write what he wrote, we can at least appreciate the beauty of what he created and for some women, imagine what it would have been like to be on the receiving end of such eloquence.

Kicking The Habit

 

No more nail-biting means manicures are a new option

 

Today is the first time I had a manicure.

That may not be special to the average Jane, however, for someone who notoriously bites their nails and has never had nails long enough to cover with polish let alone shape, it’s a milestone.

And it’s amazing how empowering it is!

Years of hiding gnawed nails away have made way to a new lease of life for my hands! Suddenly people are noticing my hands! I’M noticing my hands – and they look good, no…great!  No longer is that fabulous matching red nail polish to offset those new shoes and that bag out of reach…it’s now a very real possibility.

I find myself looking at my nails and smiling…not because they are sooo beautiful, but because they exist!

Of course it’s like anything that you do on a regular basis and then have to stop: biting nails, smoking cigarettes, having too many drinks, driving too fast, eating too much – the list goes on. Once you manage to stop doing it, you can’t work out why you couldn’t stop doing it sooner.

However, if you can catch yourself in the right frame of mind at the right time of life, when the scales are balanced just that little bit in your favour, it’s worth taking the plunge – the rewards are huge!

Now, if you’ll excuse me…I’m due for a cigarette break and there is a packet of chocolate jam donuts calling out to me on the counter…

Pampering on a budget…easy as pie!

Homemade beauty treatments can save you a fortune!

Who doesn’t like to be pampered? Even just a little?

Whether it’s a head massage, facial, pedicure, or all over body treatment, there are few people who would say no to that extra TLC even if it comes from a professional!

Unfortunately along with the blissful experience of relaxation and enjoyment, is the fact that such treatments are usually quite expensive, albeit to many, good value.

So how do you find a happy medium? Do it yourself! Before dismissing it, think about what’s involved. All that is needed is a helpful friend, partner, or family member, a quick look in the fridge and some free time and you’ll be amazed at how easy a DIY pampering session can be.

Let’s start with the feet…a little coarse salt (or sea salt) mixed with olive oil will do the trick, though mixing it with, or adding lavendar essential oil will smell nicer.  Alternatively, use combinations of oats, honey, lemon, sea salt, olive oil, and a bit of aloe vera or similar gel for a lovely foot scrub. Follow up with your favourite body lotion and see how wonderful your feet feel the next day!

For the face, masks, scrubs, and packs can be made by using ingredients such as coconut, yoghurt, honey, avocado, cucumber, oatmeal, milk, mint, eggs, tomatoes – to name but a few, all of which are natural and considerably cheaper than going to the beauty parlour.

For a truly quick and easy all-over solution, a favourite body lotion mixed with some coarse sugar will provide a soothing exfoliator at a fraction of the cost of the high street salon.

Finding a recipe is a piece of cake – there are so many options online. However, it does pay to check ratings and reviews of the recipes you choose, especially if it’s the first time you are testing them out.

6 Months Into New Year’s Resolutions

It is nearly the end of the first six months of the year, so it seemed a good idea to look back on this year’s New Year’s Resolutions and see if they had held out. Not that I had any great expectations, mind you. I fully expected to have blown every one of them, but I was in for a little surprise.

Because every year, religiously I break my resolutions, I decided to give myself a fair chance: I chose 5.

Although it may seem a little excessive, there was a huge element of relief involved with having more than one resolution for the year. For starters, I had 4 back-ups, so when the first one was shot around 3pm that afternoon, I did not have to endure the stress that had plagued the afternoon of every New Year in my life: the breaking of the resolution. Instead, I had four more to rely on…it was a comforting thought.

So apart from the ritualistic one of losing weight, I embarked on getting more work done, being more cost-conscious and eco-friendly, and spending more time with family.

Which one survived? Spending more time with family…which as it turns out, was definitely a resolution worth keeping!

Memorial Day – We Take Our Hats Off

I was interested to find that before Veteran’s Day was introduced in November, that it was celebrated at the end of May under the title of Decoration Day, but it was so greatly dominated by the Civil War, that another day, namely November 11, was chosen to remember veterans aptly named Veteran’s Day. The term “Memorial Day” was first used in 1882, and today has been adopted to indicate the beginning of Summer, by being celebrated on the last Monday in May as opposed to the fixed date of 30th May. Although many people enjoy the long weekend it ensures, many a veteran feel that the importance and reverence of the day has been ignored and are lobbying to return it to that date.

Regardless, today we take our hats off to those who sacrificed themselves all those years ago, though it does makes me think. Whilst their bravery cannot be undermined, why does it always have to be the innocent ones who are sacrificed? Isn’t it often the one in power, who has the nice office, nice house, nice family and who would never be called upon to go to war, who makes the decision regarding others’ lives? I wonder if they were making a decision for themselves whether their choice would remain the same. And what of the bravery of all those women who were left behind? I for one, will be incorporating them into my thoughts at 3pm today.

Now you have had a bit of history and a thought for the day, whatever way you choose to celebrate Memorial Day, may it be an enjoyable one!

Top Moms

Happy Mother’s Day ladies!

I read somewhere recently that mother’s are ideal to head up business deals since they have already spent years honing their negotiation skills at home persuading their kids to get into bed, eat their dinner, take a bath…it’s an interesting concept.

However if you feel that perhaps you would like to have a bit more of an educational background before you plunge into the world of business, then maybe you want to consider getting an MBA? Now, before you insist, you have no way to attend university, what about an online MBA?

Distance learning has come a long way since “Get your diploma by mail” appeared on the mass media scene. Now, gaining an “online degree” can describe anything from a diploma mill to the executive track at a leading university.

Although earning your MBA online doesn’t afford you the luxury of networking in the traditional sense, if you are a looking for a solution to boost your standing without taking time away from your job or parenting duties, an online degree can be a smart solution.

That said, you must be cautious – there are several scams associated with this kind of education.

It is very important to know the school and know the programs. Most universities now offer online programs under an open learning system and many ivy league schools now offer virtual education.  Irregular names such as “sky-high” for a university ought to make you think twice and at least check out what they are offering. In order not to waste your money, you need to be certain that the schools about which you are inquiring  are accredited by a local government or bureau of higher education.

Try to review the curriculum each virtual MBA programs offer and choose which course caters your academic needs. Of course there are financial topics to be addressed, so beforehand, ask them if they have financial aids available or terms of payment schedule, and whether they accept merchant bank accounts or a direct wire transfer.

Additionally, reputation plays a strong part in how your online degree or diploma is received. Having an online degree from Harvard is perceived differently to  having one from a less-reputed university based in a struggling country or a one from a university with a rather obscure, if not unbelievable name. If you were a recruiter, who would you choose?

In truth, online degrees are not universally admired by hiring managers at top companies, however at the end of the day, it shouldn’t be completely about the program, but what the virtual student gets out of it.

If you have been toying with the idea of returning to get an additional qualification, don’t hold back. It will always be worth it!

Luxury Cruise anyone?

Luxury holidays are no longer limited to millionaires.  Though some are born into wealthy families, it is still possible for those who are dedicated and save continuously to also experience the opportunity of a luxury holiday, be it a cruise, an exotic beach getaway, a ski adventure in the Alps, or even something a little closer to home.

Personalized travel packages, first class air tickets, the top-of-the-line menu that spells international cuisine, special concierge services and more all contribute to the extra zeros on the end of the cost of your holiday.

So you have a choice: either pay out for the extras that a luxury holiday provides or find an alternative. Here are four ways that you could experience luxury, without the high price tag.

Replace a luxurious beach holiday in the Caribbean with a local beach holiday – sand is still sand, though of course the weather does play a part. Charter flights, standby seats and low-cost airlines, however, can help ease the burden on your hip pocket.

Replace luxurious ski holidays in exclusive boutique style chalets with cosy log fireplaces with a lower grade hotel more commercially marketed. Usually such hotels are located slightly further away from the slopes, however often they offer a wonderful variety of after-ski entertainment and social activity.

Finally, replace a luxurious cruise with a local cruise. Whether it is around some islands or just a ferry trip across the lake or river, sailing has a unique appeal. Though aeroplanes can take you to your destination quickly, nothing beats cruise lines offering several recreational activities on board: bingo games, karaoke halls, salons, swimming pools, spa, restaurants, discos and bars.

(Alternatively, enter into the Bingo Cruise 2010 competition at BingoBeez and you will find that your dream of a luxury bingo cruise may just come true! Entering is a piece of cake…in fact, all you have to do is play bingo online like your normally do – or so they tell me!)

Personally though, my idea of a luxury holiday is one where my kids are well looked and having fun, there is a 24/7 chocolate buffet located close by, and a Jacuzzi that I can fall asleep in…oh and let’s not forget an internet connection in my room for when I want to log on to play online bingo!

Helping The Earth One Day At A Time

On April 22 —  the whole world will celebrate Earth Day.

As an unofficial advocate, (I have no affiliation to any environmental groups) of saving our mother earth,  my lifestyle reflects waht I believe: that we ought to protect, prevent, and save the planet on which we live.

My  interest in going green began just 5 years ago. Gradually, I adopted the practice of separating biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes, then recycling items, then using environment-friendly products and recycled items, until now I am making the most of the ongoing sunshine by maximising solar energy and installing solar panels on my roof.

Climate change or global warming is largely underestimated in its destructive power. Even in a vague overview of events, the effects on the earth have been startling: climatic imbalance like drought or extreme rainfall, continuous typhoons and stronger tropical cyclones,  retreating glaciers and their subsequent disappearance; and contaminated air. In fact, it’s quite hard not to blame the latest spate of seismic activity and the phenomenal damage it has caused in places such as Haiti and Chile on global warming too.

Pollution also contributes to the degradation of our quality of life. Noise pollution, air pollution, water pollution, and land pollution. Not only do these pose a threat to nature, but also to our health as our food supply, water and food resources, and even the economy of our country diminishes. Sadly, this problem is growing, day by day.

Although I do not believe that my actions will change this, I do believe that they will make a difference. Indeed, many people’s actions when combined may make enough of a difference to change things. Admittedly,  it does take an extra effort, however I do try to be a living example of what I say. Sometimes it even rubs off on others!

Large-scale human behavior is difficult to adjust as it is dictated by individuals – each of whom needs to be motivated to make such a change. Where possible, I encourage small changes…as small changes by a lot of people can really accomplish something big.

Here are some ideas for you in case you’d like to make your life a little greener:

1. Grow a very, very, small farm-like area in your backyard. Fill it with some tomatoes, chillies, some greens, onions, garlic and ginger so you don’t  need to buy them. They are great for cooking with.
2. Use brown bags or canvas bags when shopping.
3. Use EPA lights and only use when needed.
4. Use rechargeable batteries.
5. Buy organic hair care and skin care products.
6. Buy environment-friendly household cleaning products.
7. Clean air filters twice a month.
8. Lower thermostat (within reason).
9. Turn off lights when leaving a room even for a while.
10. Set your refrigerator temperature at 36 to 38 and your freezer at 0 to 5 .
11. Unplug seldom used appliances and turn appliances off at the powerpoint when not in use.
12. Buy appliances and other equipments with the Energy Star Label
13. Insulate your home.
14. Plant trees and flowers.
15. Leave grass clippings on the yard. They decompose on its own giving more nutrients to the soil
16. Use both sides of a piece of paper and reuse envelopes where possible.
17. Reuse items like bottles, glass, plastic containers, and plastic utensils.
18. Collect newspapers for recycling.
19. Give away items of clothing you no longer need to friends or charities.
20. Conserve printing: only print up emails you really need to.