Tag Archives: eating disorders

Store Returns: What You Need to Know 5

Do you think that if you purchase something either for yourself or as a gift that it will be easy to return? These days, stores are getting more and more picky about accepting returns. This includes gift cards. You can’t usually turn them in for cash. So what can you do with those unwanted gifts if you have followed all of the advice in the previous posts and still can’t make a return? Don’t worry there may be a way of getting some or even all of your money back, even if the store policy is against it. First, I … Continue reading →

Store Returns: What You Need to Know 4

Did you know that when it comes to electronics, different return rules often apply. This is something to be aware of when you are shopping for that holiday HDTV, digital camera, iPod, phone or video gaming device. In some cases, stores will not accept returns on any electronics at all, so make sure that you have a good understanding of store policy. Also, for something that is very expensive, you might want to get the return policy in writing in case it changes after your purchase or if the sales clerk has a faulty understanding of the policy. For stores … Continue reading →

Store Returns: What You Need to Know

When you spend money on something that you can’t use then you might as well just throw your money away. Unfortunately, this can happen to almost everyone, whether you buy something for yourself or if you buy a gift for someone else. Over the weekend, we tried to cram in a number of shopping stops in on one day. Combining errands like this can save money and time in the long run, but it can be tiring. Near the end of the day, I ran into a store to get something very specific and wound up with a couple of … Continue reading →

Affording Toys for the Holidays

If you are having a lean year, like many of us, you might have started getting concerned about the holidays and how you will be able to afford getting toys and other gifts for your children. Yes, we all know the real meaning of the holidays does not involve material gifts, but what parent doesn’t want the pleasure of giving toys to their children? This will be a two part series on affording toys for the holidays. As I look around our living room, which has been turned into a playroom for the kids, I feel blessed that we are … Continue reading →

Who Gets Christmas?

Yes, I know Christmas is still two months away but it’s not too early to start thinking about who gets Christmas. Before you are married it’s usually an easy enough decision. Most people would spend Christmas with their family. Once you marry suddenly there are a whole host of other people and other traditions to consider. If you have families that are close together in distance it may work to go to one for Christmas lunch and the other for dinner or it may be possible to all get together.But sometimes that doesn’t really keep anyone happy. If your families … Continue reading →

Dreaming of a Green Christmas

This holiday, why not make sure that you can celebrate by still being responsible? The holidays can be tough on green living practices, with all of the running around and the chaos. Normal things that you do to prevent waste can get put aside. Still, there are so many things that you can do to ensure that your Christmas is green. Light are the most obvious place where you can make some improvement for responsibility. You can replace older lights with more efficient ones, such as LED lights. This way, you will naturally use less electricity. You can also put … Continue reading →

Oranges and the Holiday Table

Oranges have long been a symbol of the holidays. Back before candy and other treats were so readily available, a single orange stuffed into the stocking on Christmas morning was a decadent delight in the middle of winter. Beside the tradition, oranges are so aromatic and colorful, that they deserve a place on your holiday table. As I ease into the Food Blog, I thought I would offer a very simple idea that you can try. Orange Cups A festive and easy way to offer sweet fruit cups. They look so pretty on the table, and kids get a big … Continue reading →

Common Holiday Foods and Their Calories

Yes, it is looming. It is the holiday season, a time when people who aren’t even trying to lose weight tend to gain a pound in the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Food is so closely tied with the holidays, so unless you are planning on moving to Antarctica for a month or so, you are going to have deal with it all. There are a couple of ways to do this. You can ignore the calories and just indulge, facing a possible weight gain and loss of progress. Did you know that a typical Thanksgiving meal with all of … Continue reading →

Free Puppet Playhouse

With the holidays coming up, I admit that I am starting to panic a little bit. There are all of those Christmas gifts to purchase, and frankly, our finances haven’t fully recovered from a series of household expenses that we have had over the spring and summer. So, whenever I can brainstorm for fun but free or thrifty holiday gifts, it is a good thing. Here is an idea that pretty much anyone can use as a gift for young children. While you do have to make it yourself, you will find that you can pretty much get all of … Continue reading →

Frugal Holiday Parties

The Holiday season will be here soon.Are you prepared for the expense of socializing? Here are some frugal tips to get your through it all with both the holiday fun and the budget in tact. I had a nice conversation with my mother-in-law last night. We started discussing what we were going to do about the upcoming holiday season and the Thanksgiving and Christmas get-together events. No one ever really wants to host either because of the work, and well, the expense. That is understandable, but I have a few tricks up my sleeve. Two words have gotten me through … Continue reading →