Tag Archives: eating disorders

Frugal Ideas for The Christmas Sweater

Some time ago I wrote about my frugal exception. In this blog I described the one thing that I really couldn’t cut corners on. My secret is that I never purchase used shoes. I prefer to get these new. I nearly forgot about my Christmas sweater obssession. I love Christmas sweaters and try to get a enw one very year. But buying a somewhat gaudy sweater that I will only wear for one season is a collosal waste of money. Here are some furgual tips that I used to enjoy the Christmas sweater season each each year. 1. Keep it … Continue reading →

Earning Extra Holiday Money

If the finances are tight, then figuring out how to gain the money to be able to afford the holidays can be daunting. Besides the presents, there is food, decorating, charity gifts and more. Sometimes the solution is to simply earn some extra money in order to afford the holidays. I like this idea much better than going into credit card debt. If you find yourself in this situation, or if you simply want to be able to sail through the holidays without extra bills, try one of these ideas for earning extra holiday money. Have a yard or virtual … Continue reading →

The “Live” Christmas Tree

I thought that Libby did a great job laying out all of the pros and the cons in the real versus fake Christmas tree debate and how these choices relate to green living. But there was another choice that many people don’t know about, and I wanted to talk a little bit about that today in my post. The third option when it comes to Christmas trees is to select a live tree. A live tree is a real, grown tree that comes with its root ball in tact. The tree is not killed to become decoration. Rather, it can … Continue reading →

Buying a Used Christmas Tree

Believe it or not, you can get a nice Christmas tree when you buy a used one. Most people debate about whether to by a live or an artificial tree. If artificial is your choice, then do consider getting one that has been pre owned. You’ll save a lot of money. Current artificial trees can cost $150 or more. A good used Christmas tree can cost you $10 or less. So you can see where the math works out here. The first place to shop for a used artificial Christmas tree is your local thrift store. Because Christmas trees take … Continue reading →

Freezing Holiday Food: Potatoes

Your freezer can be one of your best friends when it comes to preparing holiday food. You can make and freeze dishes and deserts ahead of time to cut down on the hectic holiday food preparation and cooking. You can also freeze leftovers in order to reduce waste. Finally, you can prepare extra meals that will be easy to eat during the holiday rush. Some foods do freeze better than others, and there are some other considerations to make when freezing foods, such as whether or not to freeze them cooked or uncooked, whether to alter your spices, when par-baking … Continue reading →

Make Your Frugal Party Look Expensive

Did you know that you can spend just a few dollars and make it look as though you spent hundreds on your party? Home made and arranged can look just as good or better than catered. And you don’t have to lose the sophistication just because you are saving money and being frugal. Use these tips to make your party look like a million dollars. Focus on the Presentation The presentation of food goes a long way to making your party look expensive. Do you ever notice that people are willing to spend more money on tiny platters of food … Continue reading →

Creating a Meaningful Christmas on a Budget

So many families are struggling right now with the economy and are wondering what to do about Christmas and gifts for the kids. The stores are still screaming about deals, deal and deals. The kids see commercials for the latest hot toys that seem to cost more than my first car ever did. Examining the family budget, many of us are deciding to spend less this year, including on Christmas gifts. I think this is a blessing in disguise. What better time is there to make a meaningful Christmas for the kids, and well, for everyone. Participate in Operation Christmas … Continue reading →

“A Christmas Carol”: Spectacle with Substance

The snowy cobblestone street is packed with vendors, stalls, patrons, and carriages. Shawl-wrapped women brandish roasted chestnuts in bundles of newspaper, crying, “A shilling a piece.” Men in black silk top-hats push their way through the crowds, eager to return to their business while children scamper from one end of the road to another, laughing and shrieking in play. As the road widens and the market fades to the distance, the sound of the children’s boots smacking on cobblestone slows, then halts. A lone, hunched, and gnarled figure hobbles across the street, causing the children to retreat as quickly and … Continue reading →

Fake Christmas Tree or Real Christmas Tree?

If you are trying to adopt a green lifestyle, you may find yourself conflicted when thinking about Christmas trees. What should you do? Is purchasing an artificial tree and reusing it year after year more eco-friendly than using a real tree each year? Below are a list of pros and cons for both artificial and real Christmas trees. Artificial Pros: – New artificial trees are looking more and more realistic every year. – Some artificial trees come with snow and pre-lit lights, so they can be time-savers too. – Artificial trees are more convenient than real trees. – Artificial trees … Continue reading →

Santa and the Swine Flu

Santa has one wish this Christmas: He doesn’t want to get swine flu from your kid. S.O.S. Spare Our Santa! It’s the battle cry shared by mall owners around the world. If your kid is sneezing, coughing, has a sore throat or—-GASP!-—a fever, keep him far away from Jolly Ol’ St. Nick. Lest you think this warning is just a bunch of holiday bah humbug, think again. Mall owners are going all out to save Santa from ending up in the ER this Christmas. At malls in Pennsylvania and Minnesota, Santa’s elves have a new job this year: Prescreening children … Continue reading →