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Seasonal Ideas, December 2007
"For Somehow,
not only at Christmas, but all the long year through, the joy that you give to others is the joy that comes back to you."
John Greenleaf Whittier
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The Art of Giving
In the December e-newsletter (The Money Minute) my main topic is
how best to give during the holiday season. Not just with THINGS, but of yourself; your time, energy and homemade creations.
Below are some great ideas for giving, including your wonderful pets in your gifting. Happy Holidays!
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Here are some personal and family
activities to encourage mindful giving...
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Even though its cold outside, baby, bundle up and take
some time to be in nature, enjoy the scents, and the views of the season. Being outside staves off stress, and brings wholesome
fresh air to clear out mental cobwebs!
Take the time to listen to your children during
the holiday rush. They want to show you their love, their projects, talk about their ideas and dreams. After all, holidays
are very much "for the children" so don't leave yours out of the planning and enjoyment of the season!
Kind Hearted Women
Kind-Hearted Woman (Women)
In days
past, hobos and tramps were a common sight in America, riding the rails and walking from town to town. As they traveled this
wide expanse of country, they developed a shared system of signs and symbols for one another. These simple chalked sketches
were put on the pavements in front of houses, or on the back stoop, to point out the homes of kind-hearted women who shared
food, and always had a kindly smile, and a friendly word. You can make your own sign following the directions below...
This plaque was created using an inexpensive pine wood board, pre-mounted with three hooks. The wood was sanded, and
then the simple sketch penciled on lightly. The design was burned into the wood, using a wood burner (not for children to
use, have adults do this part if you choose this technique!) and then finished with a matte spray. Other techniques can be
used as well, painting, stain, scrapbooking-type lettering etc. These sell for $25.00 and more, and yet you can make it yourself
for a fraction of the cost, and also have the joy of giving something of your own creation! Be sure to burn, write etc. on
the back too, your name and the date. Print out a copy of the above information about Kind-Hearted Women, and include it with
your gift, to let the recipient know the meaning of the plaque. Plan Ahead! Pre-plan something special for JANUARY.. a
little trip, a party, a family outing. That way you have something to look forward to, so that all the focus isn't on
December holidays.... and you can say to yourself in times of stress "I can't wait until January!"
December Thoughts to Think On...
|  | THE
MONEY MINUTE Making the Most
of Your Money |
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| Dear
Joan, |  We all have different ideas of how we should participate in the winter holiday season whether it be for Christmas, Hanukkah
or Kwanzaa. Most of us have family traditions or expectations which seem to drive our gift giving, baking, parties and holiday
requirements. However, as your friendly money counselor, I remind you that giving must come from your heart, not
necessarily your pocketbook. No
other creature personifies this characteristic more than my beloved dogs. They never wonder "what's in it for me,"
or "what kind of an impression am I making" when they give freely of themselves. Their ambition is to please, not
only with their attention, but with their affection and their comforting presence. Certainly NOT
with presents! |
How do I
include this Vision of Giving this Holiday Season? | One of the keys to
an enjoyable and peaceful time of year is to use your creativity to give to others. If you crochet, knit,
know wood working, or have a hobby you love to share (train track design, putting up Christmas lights, flower arranging) you
can use those things as a jumping off point. If homemade gifts are not your forte, then embrace the idea
of giving in an alternate way. Make a donation to a charity or organization in the name of a loved one.
Or possibly give of your time as a family at a soup kitchen, a children's home, or other volunteer opportunity. As a dog
lover, I can envision giving to the local shelter by donating old towels, newspapers, blankets or doggie biscuits (see
seasonal ideas at my new website for Doggie Biscuit Recipes). The forlorn animals at the shelter will thank me with wags and kisses! For additional seasonal ideas, holiday plans, and self-help
information, SEE my new website at www.the-money-minute.com. |
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My
Family Traditions are Important, and I Need to Honor Them. How do I do that within your Model? |  One fairly easy thing to remember when shopping is that it is
not so much the cost of the gift as it is the appropriateness. Not only fitting to the desires of your family members, office
mates, neighbors and friends but also appropriate to your own money picture. One family I know gives small gifts that fit
into the recipient's collections - and they give them each Sunday of Advent. Another makes tree decorating an event, inviting
neighbors and friends for eggnog and cookies while decorating the house and tree. The traditions you enjoy you need not give
up, for they mean something special to you that increases your enjoyment of the special days ahead. However,
ask yourself this question before you go forward with it once again --> Am I doing this because I respect
& enjoy those family customs or traditions or am I doing it because "we've always done it that way!??" |
Are There Any Methods to
Develop a Money Plan for Holiday Spending? | I have many clients
who find that planning gift giving and holiday spending in advance is truly valuable and there are many methods which
you may use to do so. In my financial counseling practice I have my clients use a GIFT GIVING WORKSHEET and HOLIDAY
SPENDING PLAN that I developed for this very purpose (click on these links for the Gift Giving Worksheet & Holiday Plan.) However, to be truly successful, I believe it is best to begin with starting
some new traditions of your own. Decide in advance of the frenzy of giving, decorating, rushing here and there to buy, and
going to parties what you truly desire from this season. Be truthful to yourself about your own cash flow requirements and
restrictions. Acknowledge that there is no need to go into debt each year to please others. Truly no one who loves or cares
for you desires to see you suffer with debt all year to give a gift today. As do our dogs, give from the heart, give from
the moment, and give with love and affection. For as you give, so will your financial picture be enriched and enhanced. |
WOULD YOU LIKE TO PARTICIPATE
IN A DOGGIE CONTEST ? |  As you may have noticed, I am rather passionate about dogs!! What other way may I honor them than to showcase them each
month in my money e-newsletter. In fact, this photo is of MY DOG LEXI in a rare moment of calm!! à à à So to finish the year in
style, I am seeking entries for dog photos for my January 2008 e-newsletter and website. The theme is NEW BEGINNINGS.
Submit your photos to me here at this website (Doggie Photo Contest). Keep the pictures within the ideas of the theme, and follow these few simple guidelines: 1.
The photos must be your own work, or if the work of a family member, you must have permission to use them. 2. Submitting the
photos is also agreeing to allow me to publish them on my website, and/or in my newsletter. Credit will be given, and 3. The
prize(s) will be announced in the January Newsletter and website. In the meantime, give your doggies a big kiss
for me! |
 Thank you for taking a minute or two out of your day to read
about money. Here's wishing you a joyous relationship with it!
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Joan Silva
Financial Couselor Certified
Credit Report Reviewer Serious
Solutions To Your Everyday Money Questions! |
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| | Save 50% | As
a Financial Counselor and Certified Credit Report Reviewer, it is my job to help individuals, couples, and small business
owners to GET REAL with their money. If you would like to get past denial and truly understand what you are spending each
month, then give me a call. You do not have to do this alone. Just ask for help, it is a phone call away. Keep in mind
your first session is 1/2 off. No obligation. Find out how to get real with your money. | | Contact me Today |
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