2011 was a great year for gadgets. If you are looking for the perfect gadget gift, it certainly will not be hard to find this Christmas. If you are looking for a gift for someone who already has all of the latest gadgets, look into giving them the best accessories they can use with their gadgets.
It’s that time of year again, one that has a particularly knack for creating lean wallets. Christmas music is piping through the radio, the scent of pine is in the air, and all the storefronts are adorned with tinsel and multicolour lights. It’s all too easy to get carried away in the Christmas season and completely forget about your budget. However, with a little planning, you can give personal, thoughtful gifts that your loved ones, friends, and colleagues will love.
I am not a car guy. As long as the darn thing gets me from point A to point B, I’m fine with it. This doesn’t mean I do not have my favorites when it comes to makes & models, as well as amenities. It just means I’ve never taken the time to learn the mechanics, or more importantly, how to repair the mechanics of a working vehicle. However, over the years, I do try to listen & learn from those in the know, as well as from my own unfortunate repair experiences (how many people, after all, can claim they’ve had a chipped flywheel?!). But my last trip to the car repair “store” was a bit more than my wallet wanted to handle. You might be able to save some money, and drive a safe vehicle if you make some judicious decisions at the auto repair shop.
Black Friday is upon us. As much as we try to avoid the commercials, sales advertisements, and discussions, it is inevitable that you will see something on television, review the advertisements out of curiosity (or temptation!), or wind up in a conversation with others regarding whether or not you will be participating in the shopping frenzy. Some avoid the day altogether. I find, unfortunately, that for one reason or another, I will be out that day – and “rationalize” a stop at a store or three. Over the years, as discussed in the previous article, I’ve managed to develop a strategy for shopping appropriately for my budget on Black Friday. If you are careful and plan accordingly, you can cheat Black Friday.
And so it begins. No, not the Holiday Season; the Holiday Shopping Season. Of course, if you set our calendar by what some stores put on their shelves, it started in late September. Those who are uncannily prepared (yikes!) have already started their Holiday shopping. But Shopping Season officially starts in just a few more than twenty-four hours. Some stores are starting on Wednesday, some are pushing for a Thanksgiving Day Eve starting bell, but THE traditional day of perceived unbeatable sales, gridlock traffic, and long cashier lines is: Black Friday. Precautions should be taken to be effective and cost efficient towards your budget in regards to Black Friday.
I don’t know many people nowadays that aren’t looking for ways to save money. With the economy the way it is, we’re all looking for ways to save a few bucks. Here’s 5 simple tips to get you started:
I was heading to a hockey game recently, meeting up with a friend at the arena. On my way to the arena, I obviously had to figure out a parking strategy. Parking is one area where team fans and concert goers pay on a sliding scale, based on the event. Fortunately in this case, since it was the middle of the work week, and the event was a minor league hockey game, I estimated parking prices should be somewhat reasonable and reduced from the standard costs for the major league sports games. Although I realize it is a necessary evil for most sporting events and concerts, paying a high premium to park my car while attending an event always bothers me. The costs of event parking can be reduced if you take a few variables into account.
The new year is approaching, and what better way to start fresh, than to start de-stressing your life. I have put together several steps to take, to do just that.
Homemade Clean-Up Wipes
What you need:
Cut the paper towels in half and put it in some type of upright container. Pour over any of your favorite cleaners. (I use Pine-Sol) Then just add some water. It is so nice and easy when you go from room to room to clean. All you need is the container of wipes. I also keep some on hand for cleaning glass/mirrors.
Christmas is right around the corner. For me, that used to be a stressful thought. Christmas is the most expensive time of year for us. We have both of our daughter’s birthdays in December, my husband’s birthday, our Anniversary…. AND then….CHRISTMAS! If I wasn’t a planner, this could have destroyed our finances for a good part of the next year. Here are some ways to plan for Christmas, and avoid that financial stress… even if you’re starting at the end of October.