Be an Elf to Yourself - Start Your Own Christmas Club

Remember Christmas Clubs?  They were started by banks, credit unions, savings and loans to encourage saving for holiday spending.  Save all year, cash out in December.  

For the history of Christmas Clubs, go here: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_club

A Christmas Club account makes more sense than credit card debt for holiday spending.

In my own budget I have a category labeled "Treats" to which I add a fixed amount every month to cover my online purchases (what I call "silly spending").  I always know how much is in my treat account, and spend accordingly.  

Be an elf to yourself.  Set up your own Christmas Club account in your budget.  Your holidays will be merrier without a credit card debt hangover.

Cheers!

Penny Pincher

Living Lean on Less - and Loving It!

It's been a season of adjustments:

-- My tv cable box died the end of October and hasn't been replaced.  Do I miss cable?  Nope.  I've learned to use my laptop for what I want - with no subscriptions.  I wasn't using cable that much recently - mostly the Weather Channel, and movies when there was something worth watching instead of endless reruns of Harry Potter.  I've discovered the free resources available on the internet for weather and movies.  My two tv sets are currently in mothballs.  Happy me.

-- A few weeks ago I made changes to my diet in order to lose weight.  It's worked beautifully.  Basically I cut out one meal a day and the frills... no more junk food, no more one a day chocolate chunk cookies.  I've lost weight, cut down my shopping list, and I feel great.  Happy me.

The holidays are upon us... as always, I'm grateful - above all - for good health.

The blessings of the season to you and yours.

Penny Pincher