Go Green to Avoid Seeing Red

Are you seeing red after calculating the amount of money you’ve shelled out this holiday season? Christmas is still a week away and some parents are already dealing with a mountain of debt accrued since Black Friday. As devoted moms and dads we feel obligated to make all of our children’s holiday wishes come true:  Big tree featuring gorgeous ornaments, life-sized animated decorations, elaborately wrapped gifts and miles of twinkling lights that would blind a buzzard. Unfortunately, all that holiday bling can put a real dent in your household budget.  One way to reduce the sting of big bills racked … Continue reading

Parents and Christmas Firsts

Like it or not the holidays make people very nostalgic. It’s hard for some parents not to think of their son or daughter’s first Christmas when hanging stockings or trimming the tree. Then, there’s the tidal wave of memory triggers that come to us via the media. For example, if I see that TV commercial about the mom being “forced” to buy her daughter a new cellphone plan because “it’s the first Christmas that she won’t be home,” I’m going to hurl. Do you remember the first Christmas your child didn’t spend with you? I can’t imagine it’s a very … Continue reading