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How I’m Throwing A Cookie Decorating Party on a Budget

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How to throw a cookie decorating party Pinterest graphic

Every Christmas, I throw a cookie decorating party. Generally, I have a few of my friends here, along with their children, and we decorate cookies, do Christmas crafts, listen to music, and watch movies. As you can imagine, this kind of get-together can get costly fast. You have cookies, icing, decorating tools, a table cover, food, etc. However, I never break my budget when it comes to throwing this party. Here’s how I’m doing it.

Go To Aldi

Aldi has the best prices around where groceries are concerned, there’s no doubt about that. Sometimes heading to Aldi isn’t as convenient for me, but if I’m throwing a get-together, I ALWAYS head there. For this party, I’ll be making a couple of grazing boards to snack from. Things like salami, pepperoni, veggies, fruit, and cheese are all reasonably priced at Aldi.

I’m also going to snag everything I can for the cookie making at Aldi (flour, sugar, baking soda, confectioner’s sugar, etc.). Again, things are just cheaper there.

Hit the Dollar Store

The next store on my list to hit for the party is the Dollar Store. There are a few things I will pick up as party favors and other craft materials there. Many Dollar Stores have fun Christmas mugs throughout the holiday season. Everyone attending the party will get one to put their hot chocolate in and they can take it home. For $1, that’s a steal and a great little party favor!

They also have ornaments that we will paint. Again $1 for a set of ornaments to decorate is a steal. I’ll also grab other things like a table cover to protect my table during the decorating, a pack of festive plates, and a little candy to go into their gift bags. We also do small gifts (under $20), so I’ll grab a couple gift bags too.

Planning for Cost

The biggest thing about throwing a cookie decorating party, or any kind of gathering, is knowing what your budget is ahead of time. Know exactly how much money you want to spend or are willing to spend on the event. Pinterest is a great place to find DIY and budget-friendly dupes and ideas.

All of that said, having a decorating party like this has become a great tradition for us. It is somewhere between Friendsgiving and Christmas – and we love it. Even if it’s fancier some years than it is others, it is something we can always look forward to. Whether we spend $20 or $100, it is something we can enjoy every year.

To me, that is the best part of it all – I could buy a package of pre-made sugar cookies and icing and we’d still be able to carry on with this tradition.

Readers, what are some of your holiday traditions and how do you plan to cover the cost each year? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below! 

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Why Debt-Free People Should Look To Online Marketplaces To Save Money During The Holidays

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saving money shopping in online marketplaces

I’m not debt-free yet, but I am always looking for ways to save money, especially around the holidays. This year, I really needed to get a new dining table. My other table was getting unsafe with my baby around it and we genuinely hated it. So, that sent me on a search for something affordable. I landed myself on Facebook Marketplace and if you aren’t already using platforms like this, you’re missing out. Here’s why.

The Table Story

When we moved back to North Carolina two years ago we didn’t have anything. We slept on an air mattress until we could get a mattress here and I stacked up boxes to serve as a desk until I could afford to buy a new one. Thankfully, some people came through with some free furniture to help us get by.

Unfortunately, the furniture definitely wasn’t our style (but hey, it was free). It served its purpose, but once we had a baby, we noticed that the furniture wasn’t only an eyesore to us, but it started getting dangerous for the little one.

My toddler nearly pulled the glass table down on herself one day and I’d had enough. It was out by the curb the next day, but we had a dilemma. Now, we had no table, and I’ll be hosting Christmas Eve in a few weeks. Yikes!

One of my good friends mentioned looking on Facebook Marketplace. After having dealt with bed bugs a few years ago, I’m weary about buying anything secondhand or from garage sales. However, she assured me we could check things out before we paid for them and take everything case by case.

So, I started looking around and we found a table that looked like it would be perfect for us. It is a four-seater with a leaf in the middle, making it easier for when we have guests. Best of all – it was only $150! Now, I’m a huge fan of marketplace sales and giveaways.

My Favorite Online Marketplaces

Of course, Facebook is one of the main marketplaces you can find things for sale (or free). Here are some of my favorite ways to find things on that platform:

  • Get into local groups. Here in Indian Trail there are local “buy, sell, and trade” groups for all of the neighboring towns and cities. These can be awesome spots to find things for cheap.
  • Mom groups are good too. I have seen a lot of great things being given away in “moms giving to moms” groups. If you are searching for toys, household items, clothing, etc. these can be great places to look.
  • Check the Marketplace itself. Facebook has a marketplace section on its app and you can search locally for specific item like a kitchen table.
  • Post an ‘ISO.’ Facebook is a great place to share an ISO (in-search-of) post. This helps people recommend places where you can find what you are looking for or, if you’re lucky, someone on your friends list may already have it on hand.

Facebook isn’t the only online marketplace where you can grab used, budget-friendly items either. You might want to check these platforms too.

  • OfferUp
  • Mercari
  • eBay
  • Craigslist

No matter what marketplace you decide to peruse for your items, be sure you protect yourself against any scams. Don’t pay for anything before you have seen it and, if possible, make sure the seller is verified.

Readers, what are some of your favorite online marketplaces? Let me know in the comments! I’d love to check them out.

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Tips To Stay Calm During The Busy Season

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Tips to stay calm during the busy season

This is a busy season for most of us. There is pressure to keep up holiday traditions, put well-thought-out gifts under the tree, and roll out a feast for your family. I’m here to tell you it’s okay if it doesn’t all get done.

That’s right. It is okay if everything on your holiday to-do list doesn’t get done.

Saying this to myself has helped me manage my stress around the holidays a lot. After all, I put all of these expectations on myself. No one else is asking me to cook Beef Wellington on Christmas Eve – that was my dumb idea. That being said, we could all use a little help getting through our busy seasons.

Here are some tips and mantras I’ve been living by to get me through – and I hope they help you too.

Traditions Don’t Make You Go Broke

Recently, I’ve seen a post going around on social media stating something along these lines:

You don’t have to keep up any traditions that make you go into debt, spend all of your money, stress you out, or cause you to be unhappy.

That was a break-through moment for me, honestly. I never thought about simply not taking part in the traditions if they caused me anxiety or stress. We did these things every year, we have to do them, right?

Wrong! You can pick and choose what you want to do. If you struggle with depression and anxiety during this time of year, that may be doing the absolute bare minimum and that’s okay. No tradition is worth your peace.

It’s Okay To Say No During Your Busy Season

On top of that, it is okay to say no to things. Oftentimes, during the busy season, we overload our calendars with fun, exciting things to do without taking our own mental health into consideration.

It’s good to remember that many of these events and activities won’t be as much fun if you are stressed. If you are worried about making it to every single thing you’ve been invited to, you won’t have a moment to breathe. And, if you’re like me, you’ll get burnt out and sick fast.

So, learn to say no to some things. It will be better for you in the long-run.

Not Everyone Deserves Your Presents or Presence

This point goes hand-in-hand with not breaking the bank, or your back, for traditions. Just because someone is family or has been around for previous holiday celebrations doesn’t mean they deserve to be.

Our generation is breaking a lot of curses and one of them is not feeling pressured to be around people you don’t want to be. We surround ourselves with family and friends who bring love and light into our lives. Not everyone is deserving of your presence or presents. Remember that.

Readers, what are some mantras or things you do to help you get through the busy season?

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How We Financially Prepare for the Holiday Season

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<p>The holidays are swiftly approaching. It's hard to believe we will be celebrating our first Thanksgiving with our little one next week! For many people, this is a stressful time of year. Most of us have more social engagements than usual. On top of that, we are spending more money than we normally do, possibly traveling, and probably not eating the best. Many people find themselves biting their nails over the cost of presents and celebrations. Here is how our family tries to prepare for the holiday season.</p>::Pexels

The holidays are swiftly approaching. It’s hard to believe we will be celebrating our first Thanksgiving with our little one next week! For many people, this is a stressful time of year. Most of us have more social engagements than usual. On top of that, we are spending more money than we normally do, possibly traveling, and probably not eating the best. Many people find themselves biting their nails over the cost of presents and celebrations. Here is how our family tries to prepare for the holiday season.

Confession: I’m Buddy the Elf

If you’ve seen the Will Ferrell movie Elf, you know Buddy. I am him, he is me. Christmas time is one of my favorite times of year (I’m also a huge fan of Halloween). I simply love the season of giving, family time, baking, colder weather, traditions. It is important to me to be able to spread my cheer each year. However, it is also extremely important we stay within our budget each year. Only a cotton-headed ninny muggins would go into debt buying presents, right?

While we certainly don’t plan to put any gifts on credit this year, many Americans do. In fact, more than 21% of Americans say they will go into debt buying Christmas gifts. About 29% of shoppers say they’ll go into debt but they pay it all off in full with their tax returns. In general, people are willing to go about $1,400 in debt just to celebrate the holidays. For our family, wracking up debt on gifts just simply isn’t in the cards and it shouldn’t ever be, honestly.

Establishing New Traditions

Because Christmas is such an important time of year for me, we want to establish family traditions. One thing we are going to try to do is work in a lot of low-cost or free activities into our holiday traditions. For instance, there is a giant village about an hour from our home that has an amazing Christmas lights display. We will likely pack some food, hot chocolate, and get in the car to see the lights each year. This is little cost to us and a great tradition.

We will also be doing low-cost crafts.  This is something I always did with my godchildren before. Each year, we plan a night where all our parent friends can get together with their kids and do some type of holiday craft. I also usually bake cookies for them to decorate. The entire event typically costs less than $50 and is so much fun. It is also a great tradition to keep (kind of like a Friendsgiving of sorts). We’ve also been considering doing things like volunteering and family secret Santa when our little one is a little older too.

Another thing I’ve seen online this year is people hitting the dollar store for their decor. This is great way to switch up themes and color schemes from year to year at a low cost. I’ve seen some folks on TikTok decorate their tree for less than $35. That’s pretty amazing! So, in essence, we are looking to keep costs as low as possible by establishing some low-cost traditions and focus on the reason for the season.

How Do You Prepare for the Holiday Season?

As always, personal finance is personal. If you are someone who takes out a loan every year and it works for you, keep doing what works for you. If you’re like me and start the countdown for Christmas on December 26, saving and planning throughout the year, that’s okay too. You are doing what works best for you and your family.

At the end of the day, it really isn’t about the amount of money you spend. Focus on spending quality time with your family this season. Those are the memories they’ll keep forever anyway. Happy Holidays!

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How to Practice Mindful Spending During the Holidays

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<p>As the holiday season ramps up, I've been doing a lot of reflecting. Just six years ago, my husband (then boyfriend) and I were living in a motel, getting ready to spend Christmas homeless. No Christmas tree. No gifts. We had two plates, two cups, two of each eating utensil, one pot, one pan.</p>::Pexels

As the holiday season ramps up, I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting. Just six years ago, my husband (then boyfriend) and I were living in a motel, getting ready to spend Christmas homeless. No Christmas tree. No gifts. We had two plates, two cups, two of each eating utensil, one pot, one pan.

Now, it seems easy to go overboard during the holidays. While we aren’t rich, by any means, we are able to buy each other nice gifts and truly enjoy the season of giving. However, I want to practice more mindful spending as we enter the hustle-and-bustle of the end of the year.

What is Mindful Spending?

Mindful spending is more than knowing where your money goes. Satisfied Spending defines mindful spending as, “lifestyle-based money management.” When you practice mindful spending, you are bringing awareness to how you act, think, and feel about money. This helps you create a more sustainable money management plan for yourself because you are getting to the root of your attitude and thoughts toward finance.

Some of the main benefits of mindful spending include:

  • less struggle and more enjoyment from your money
  • avoiding buyer’s remorse
  • decreasing feelings of guilt when you make a purchase
  • improved attitude toward budgeting
  • increased ability to make solid buying decisions

While I try to practice mindful spending all year long, it especially comes in hand at Christmas time. I am someone who loves giving gifts. It’s something that brings a lot of joy to my heart. So, at this time of year, the budget has to include gifts, but each gift is well thought out, researched, and I look for good deals. How can you check with yourself and be sure you’re being more mindful with your spending?

Being Mindful With Money at Christmas

It’s easy to go overboard at Christmas time, especially if you have children. I am currently squashing the desire to buy my little girl everything on her Amazon wish list (which I created for her).

At the same time, household debt is at an all-time high in the United States. If you want to avoid additional credit card debt or loans, you should trying to be more mindful about your spending. Here are questions to ask yourself before making a purchase.

  1. Does buying the item significantly impact you financially?
  2. If so, how will the item impact your life or the life of the person you’re giving it to?
  3. How does buying the item make you feel? Anxious? Excited?
  4. When you think about the purchase, does it align with your short and long-term financial plans?

Of course, gift buying and celebrations make it hard to truly assess every purchase you make this time of year. Asking yourself these questions should help though.

Readers, how do you practice mindful spending during the holidays and throughout the rest of the year? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

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Money and Holidays: Remembering the Reason for the Season

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<p>Money and holidays. These two things are enough to stress most people out. However, instead of biting your nails and worrying about having all the biggest, best gifts under the tree, take some time to reflect on the real reason for the season. Your mind (and your wallet) will thank you.</p>::Pexels

Money and holidays. These two things are enough to stress most people out. However, instead of biting your nails and worrying about having all the biggest, best gifts under the tree, take some time to reflect on the real reason for the season. Your mind (and your wallet) will thank you.

Here are some ways I’m being more present and spending less this holiday season.

DIY Holiday Gifts

Every year, I make some kind of Christmas gift. One year, everyone got a homemade crocheted scarf, the next everyone got handmade socks, or their favorite Christmas cookies in a tin.

This year, I’ll be making several gifts for my little one’s grandparents. Overall, nine gifts across all the grandparents will only cost me about $100. That’s just over $10 per person – not bad! More than the financial aspect though is that I will spend time with my little one, friends, and family while creating these crafts.

Video Calls

During the pandemic, most people were interacting with their loved ones via video call. This is still a possibility and necessary for those of us who don’t live close to all of our family members. Set up a few dates throughout the holiday season to sit down and video chat with folks who live farther away. Spending time catching up can be an amazing gift for both parties and help you reconnect – that’s one of the biggest joys of the holidays for me.

Throw a Party

It is easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Don’t forget that the season is meant to be spent with the ones you love. Throw a potluck get-together to keep cost low and enjoy yourself. You’ll get to see everyone near-and-dear to your heart without the pressure of swapping gifts.

Gift Swaps

Speaking of swapping gifts, we have plans to go to a gift swap this year with other families who have babies. While I have not been a fan of swaps in recent years, I love the idea of it. You get to enjoy the feeling of giving a gift without the pressure of buying a gift for everyone. There is no guilt over how much you spent, nor is there guilt over buying every single person a present.

Money and Holidays: Reflection

These are just three things I’m doing to step out of the mall and into the season this year. There are plenty of things you can do to improve your outlook around money and holidays too. For example, you might schedule a time for your family to be at the local soup kitchen, volunteer your time, or adopt a family in need.

The point is that you don’t have to go bankrupt to have a beautiful holiday. In fact, some of the most memorable moments will be those that you didn’t spend a dime on.

Try to step outside your own expectations and remember the real reason for the season. Happy holidays!

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Creating Traditions: Place Less Importance on Material Things

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<p>Tis the season to be stressed out over money because you're trying to keep up with your neighbors. Seriously, I remember growing up there was a literal competition between my dad and the neighbors during Christmastime. Every year, more lights would get added to the house and more decorations put up outside just to one-up the family next door. It was all in good fun and certainly never put my parents in a hard spot financially. However, many people do the same thing with how many gifts are under the tree or creating the Instagram-perfect family get together. They compare to others and spend a fortune trying to keep up with the Joneses. When we start creating traditions in our family, we have decided to place more importance on experiences and spending time together.</p>::Pexels

Tis the season to be stressed out over money because you’re trying to keep up with your neighbors. Seriously, I remember growing up there was a literal competition between my dad and the neighbors during Christmastime. Every year, more lights would get added to the house and more decorations put up outside just to one-up the family next door. It was all in good fun and certainly never put my parents in a hard spot financially. However, many people do the same thing with how many gifts are under the tree or creating the Instagram-perfect family get together. They compare to others and spend a fortune trying to keep up with the Joneses. When we start creating traditions in our family, we have decided to place more importance on experiences and spending time together.

The Reason for the Season

It is easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of what many people refer to as the “shopping season.” The real reason for the season is often forgotten. For many people, it is a time to celebrate faith and love. You celebrate giving and spend time with the people nearest and dearest to your heart. When I think back on holidays as a kid, I think about the Christmas morning breakfast we had each year when my Nana came over.

I also think about the smells in the house, how I’d put on a fashion show with all my new clothes, and we’d curl up on the couch, calling all of our family that wasn’t able to be there. Then, dad would spend the day helping us get our new toys set up while mom cooked a yummy meal. That warmth is something I am reminded of often when thinking about how we can create our own traditions.

How We Are Creating Traditions

Now that we have a little one, it’s time for our family to start creating traditions of our own. My husband and I have been spending time talking about the things we’d like to do with her each year. Obviously, this year she’s still too little to do much of anything but next year and the year’s to come we can continue to build on our traditions. We will also carry over some fun things we remember from our own childhoods (Christmas lights and dressing as Santa).

I recently talked about how we prep for the holiday season and keep things within our budget. The biggest thing was to find things you can experience together with family. While we do plan to do things like matching pajamas and ugly Christmas sweaters each year, the main focus of the traditions we’re creating won’t be material things. We will do small stockings and one big gift each year. Our holidays will be centered around having a fun time with family, showing love and appreciation for each other, and being thankful for the amazing lives we have together.

Readers, what are your favorite holiday traditions?

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