HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1983-12-07, Page 50ise money manag
It's that time! For holiday shopping, that
is.
Be kind to yourself this year to avoid ex-
cesses in spending. Spend according to a
plan. Or, if short on cash, give gifts that cost
little or nothing. then there'll be no surprises
when bills come due.
Get a handle on your financial situation by
estimating your expenses and comparing
them with your disposable income to see
how much you cap afford to spend on gifts.
Divide this amount by the number of people
on your list. 11 you will not be spending an
equal amount on each, add and subtract ac-
cordingly.
Will the money you have to spend be
available when you shop — cash — or later
— credit? Controlling cash expenditures is
easy — you stop when the money is gone.
But avoid carrying large amounts with you
ment h'lps at Christrnas
and Keep all receipts in case of returns or
complaints.
Keep a running list of all credit com-
mitments as you make them, not only at
each store but the overall totals. Then mon-
thly payments shouldn't exceed the limit
you've set.
Be sure you understand the terms of any
contracts you sign, know how much you'll be
paying in interest and hold onto any con-
tracts and charge slips.
Comparison shop before leaving home by
using ads, consumer rating magazines and
catalogues. List what you want ( sizes, col-
ors, etc. ), where to look and the maximum
you can spend. Whenever possible, call
ahead to make sure the stores stock the
items wanted.
Are you lacking time and inspiration?
Consider giving plants, magazine
subscriptions, tickets for concerts, plays or
sporting events, gift certificates for food
outlets — even a cleaning service.
If you simply do not have money to spend,
invest what you do have — time, skills,
talents, energy — in personal gifts. Present
handwritten gift certificates to the special
people m your life, entitling them to ...
whatever you decide.
Here are some possibilities. For those
with a flair for doing hair, consider giving
some haircuts, sets or a home perm. If you
have sewing skills, offer to make a garment
in the pattern and fabric of the receiver's
choice. If mechanically inclined, present a
tune-up as a present.
Are you lacking fh skills but have plenty of
free time? House-sit during a friend's vaca-
tion, provide pet -sitting services, make
housecalls on plants.
3
Any mother would welcome three or four
afternoons of babysitting. Take the children
on the day of a party or clean her house.
Give certificates for a car wash or wax or a
garage clean-up.
Like to bake? Offer cakes, pies or your
own dessert specialty for two or three occa-
sions in 1984. For the more ambitious,
there's the supergift — a certificate entitl-
ing the bearer to a complete dinner party in
his or her apartment or home — prepared
and served by you! Perhaps you'd
prefer to give cooking lessons ° or in-
structions in macrame or car maintenance.
You fill in the blank.
Ideally, one has the option of investing
either money or skills in gifts. If you do not
have that luxury this year, be sure to allot
money for them in future spending plans —
beginning now!
Gifts can bringihe whole family together
Why not give a Christmas gift this holiday
season that can pull your whole family
together the whole year through?
Ideas for gifts for your entire family will
enjoy are limited only by your own imagina-
tion, your family's size, income and in-
terest.
While some families set aside a small
amount of their Christmas budget for a gift
from and for all members of the family,
others forego the individual gifts for each
member and spend their entire holiday
budget on one large family gift.
High on the list of inexpensive gifts the en-
tire family can enjoy are games that
challenge the imagination and skills of
children and adults alike.
For game -type families with a higher
budget, there are air hockey, pin ball and
video games. Family members would enjoy
hours of fun from a new Ping Pong or pool
table, a shuffleboard or dart set.
Nr7
If your family enjoys the outdoors, how
about fishing, skiing or golf equipment?
Bicycles, hiking and camping equipment
could provide the key to increased family
togetherness when the weather warms up.
Candle making, rug making or other craft
kits would make the perfect gift for families
touched with a creative urge. A group craft
making project is a perfect way to bring
family members together.for members
Many forego individual gifts
of the family and plan a vacation trip as a
family -wide gift. There's still time to plan
ski trips or a trip to warmer climates druing
the March break.
For the more stay-at-home types, a new
pet beneath the Christmas tree could prove
the perfect gift and addition to the family.
The list of gift ideas fr and from the entire
family can go on and on. It all depends on
your budget and what you like to do.
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