Hello Swarm Single Moms
As you may have read in a recent post, we have decided to move the book reviews posts to just after the new year, and because of this adjustment, the plan is to take this opportunity and practice what you have learned about finance planning and protecting your finances.
One of the big lessons we learned this past year focused on being honest about your money. What can you afford? This holiday season is a great time to revisit your finance plans and to be proactive in safeguarding your savings.
This is a time of gift giving and celebratory meals with family, friends and even co-workers. But you should tread carefully during the season. Money zappers are everywhere. You must be mindful of them. And with your finance planning in place, you will be able to make it through the season, savings plan intact.
You always hear that writing out a list and sticking to it, prevents you from overspending. It is true, but I think it is the planning ahead that really prevents overspending. You need to plan how much you have to spend on the whole holiday season; gift giving as well as all holiday festivities. If you have a number to work with you can make smart finance decisions. When you have a number in mind that you can not go over, anything you find that is over that number, can be disregarded. You do not need to think about it at all. Just walk away. That is the beauty of having a plan. It empowers you to walk away. And... it empowers you to look for new and more meaningful ways to celebrate.
Consider forgoing the gift giving amongst adult family and friends. Find ways to hang out and share time that keeps you on your budget and honest about your money.
Celebratory meals do not have to take place in a restaurant. Celebrate at home, buffet style. Have folks bring a dish to share. Tell stories and share your life without a server standing by wanting to usher you out to bring in a new group. Save the tip for a food bank! You can have a really great meal with friends and family at home at your leisure. Be prepared with games and cards, karioke and good old fashion singing around the piano. Get help with the clean up and connect with your peeps. Holiday meals present the best opportunity for happy memories for yourself and your family. You can spread the happy times throughout December and into the new year by gathering at different homes.
If you are intent on dining out, consider luncheons instead of dinners.
If you are planning on dining with friends and you want to stick to your budget, check online coupon sites, (i.e. Groupon) for deals. They often will sell coupons that are good toward food at various local restaurants for up to half off. You can also get a two for one coupon to share. I like this approach for times when you absolutely, positively must go out. Because sometimes... you just do!
One last thought on the holiday celebration meal is to omit the meal and volunteer at a local food bank - then go out for beverages, (coffee, hot cocoa, etc...). This is actually my favorite way to hang out with friends. It is time well spent, with a feeling of accomplishing something good. It is my selfish gift to myself.
Happy day to all you Swarmn moms! May your day be filled with pleasant and insightful ways to save and spend!
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