Recession Proof Living

[I got this in an email from my Aunt Kathryn and thought I would share it here. Good advice!]

I thought I would pass on a Christmas shopping idea that seems to help me. When out shopping, take a list of the people you are buying for and write down exactly how much you are willing to spend for that person. Take cash. Maybe even make an envelope for each person so you can put the receipt in it. If you are tempted to buy something for yourself with that money that you see and think you ‘need’, you won’t, because you realize you’ll go home empty-handed for that person on your list. If you can’t find anything that day, put the cash in the envelope with that person’s name on it for a later shopping day. We also give our kids our Christmas spending budget, and let them decide what they want for their budget. It’s interesting how some of them want lots of little things, some want one big thing, sometimes the couple goes together, or one might even put the money towards something huge, like a lap top. This includes their stocking stuffers, so if they want a bigger item…not so much in their stocking! Budget. A very good thing to teach as soon as possible.