Mom In Progress

Well, I've done a little more reading and little more shopping since my first holiday post. I'm convinced that to make it through December 31 debt-free, you absolutely MUST have a plan! Have you been to the stores that are playing Christmas music already?!? I want to not like it, but it's hard when that Christmas-y feeling makes you feel so good. And, it makes me feel like shopping for gifts, new decorations, ingredients for favorite recipes... the list goes on. So on my most recent trip to a national chain craft store, I'll confess to you that I didn't have a plan. I had a few scraps of a plan floating around my brain, but no solid plan for what I was looking for or who I was shopping for. But, at times like these I do tell myself one thing: if it's not on sale, you don't need it. And so I began my  quest for gifts and goodies for the holidays. Maybe I should have left my wallet in the car, but I still think I made out okay. If you're family, you

It seems like it wasn't that long ago that I was a young bride browsing the shelves of a certain mega-bookstore in Fort Collins, Colorado. B.K. (before kids) my hubby and I would spend hours milling around the bookstore reading the dust covers, paging through table of contents, and rummaging in the bargain bin for our next read. It was more his hobby than mine, but even then I loved to find a bargain! On one such outing, I stumbled on a book that would forever change my spending and my holidays. Debt Proof Your Holidays by Mary Hunt is just a little book, but it has big ideas that can change your entire outlook on the upcoming holiday season. And if you're like me (I'm guessing many of you are), you're already thinking about Thanksgiving straight through to Christmas and dreaming about the things you'll give, what you'll cook, the parties you'll host, and the events you'll attend. The "problem" is it all costs money and it all takes time!

We love to play games as a family. With the clocks turned back and the days turned shorter, more than ever were thinking about indoor activities that don't involve turning on the TV or sitting behind a computer. One of our favorite games is Uno (close second place includes Old Maid and War). But we quickly found out that little hands have trouble holding all those cards! So, in honor of shorter days and family time I wanted to share this great little trick I discovered. Save an empty egg carton and flip it over. First, cut off the lid - you won't need that part. Then, cut slits in each round egg-shaped compartment. Now cards can be held in place with no hands! Make one for each little person and they can be easily stored in a game closet or cabinet. (I think I originally saw this idea in an issue of Family Fun magazine, but don't remember for sure who to credit.) Hope you enjoy many fun, family nights together this fall and winter!