Make This a Froogle Holiday

By: Brad Donelson
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:41:47
Print this article | Tell a friend | For publisher |

Rating:

 

Everyone tend to get caught up in spending money for the holiday season. Most often too much, which causes plenty of disagreements between couples.

When you think about it, it is ironic because the holidays should be one of the favorite times of the year to cherish your family and close friends instead becomes frigid with stress and anger.

First, let me tell you a story. When I was growing up, my family would be what you call the lower middle class family. My dad was the sole breadwinner and my mother handled the housework, cooking and shopping. Since my parents grew up at the tail end of the great depression, they were naturally frugal with money. But that didn’t stop them from providing food and a comfortable house for my three brothers and myself.

And it’s no wonder that my mother was quite ingenious with getting the biggest bang from a buck. She would save every coupon from the mail and newspaper... and use them. Go to sales at the stores all year round for groceries and small items.

She would also plan ahead and do her Holiday shopping all year round. She would only buy Christmas gifts at the 20-50% off sales and hide them from everyone until December.

My dad would make the time to repair and put away the Christmas items carefully so they could be accessed easily and without much effort the next year.

And sure, we didn’t get the bright sparkling toys that the next-door neighbor kids got every year. You know what? We lived. It is called not spoiling the child. When my brothers and I left for college, we were independent and understood to get anything, we have to work hard for it.

But the simple fact in these modern days is both parents work full time and the Christmas season can come at the very worst time. Fortunately, we have the Internet. It is a bustling virtual shopping center that runs 24/7 and you can find just about anything that isn’t nailed down. Go to Google’s home page and use the link to Froogle to find the lowest price for an item you are interested in.

To a lesser degree, I get junk magazine catalogs every week. They are FILLED with small gift ideas that won’t cost you a fortune.

To tell you the truth, I see very young kids playing with expensive toys given to them by well meaning parents. Ask yourself; can these kids really tell the difference between a well-built toy for $10 and the exclusive $200 toy? Unless you are trying to keep up with the Joneses, that is one area where you can exercise excellent spending restraint. I have seen kids get more excited with the gift box that the present came in.

Parental guilt can be a huge factor in spending too much for Holiday gifts. But be honest with yourself, trying to buy someone’s love is always a losing proposition. Instead, set limits how much you will spend (preferably within your budget). You would agree with me here that the holiday season would be much more enjoyable without dreading the January credit card statement? The peace of mind alone would have a dramatic calming effect. And sure, someone isn’t going to be happy they didn’t get the latest toy, gadget or computer game. Keep in mind that you are the adult here. This is a good chance to practice your parenting skills.

And lastly, believe it or not, most people don’t get what they want most of… recognition and appreciation. You laugh at me now, but rarely does anyone take the time to listen because we are simply to busy like a hamster on a treadmill.

Let me stop here and make a point, if you take the time to really listen to someone, you are truly tops in anyone’s book because like they say, “In the kingdom of the blind, the one-eyed man is king." When you really listen, you will be cherished.

Let’s make this year the best Holiday you and yours ever had.

Article source: Expert Articles