Spend wisely this Christmas

With Christmas right around the corner, maybe we can think ahead a little before we go into debt to buy Christmas presents.  Or maybe “think behind” is a better way to do it.

We’re just now emerging from the recent “recession.”  The primary reason there even was a recession in the first place?  Spending money we don’t have and then winding up with our backs against a wall.

We want to watch our spending this year

This year, Nick and I are going to shop wisely – not just throw out money left and right.  (Yeah, like we really do that.)  But no, we want to be responsible with money as much as we can.  We want to GROW rather than DECREASE.

Making money isn’t all that hard, if you know how to hold on to some of it.  Christmas unfortunately is a time when we tend to let go of it like water out of a fire hose.

So here are a few tidbits from the book The Way to Wealth and Other Writings on Finance by Benjamin Franklin.  The old guy had some interesting ideas on frugality, that’s for sure.

• “He that burns logs that cost nothing is twice warmed.”
   
• "If you would be wealthy, think of saving as well as of getting.”
   
• “Beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship.”
   
• “A fat kitchen makes a lean will.”
   
• “Fools make feasts, and wise men eat them.”
   
• “What maintains one vice would bring up two children.”

I guess what I’m saying here – encouraging here – is to think about spending and not go overboard this holiday season just because the advertisers want you to.  Christmas is about a LOT more than exchanging items that cost money.

I don’t know about you, but a loving smile from my spouse or a genuine hug from a friend means more to me than any man-made gift.

Have a wonderful holiday season.  And don’t break the bank.

Nick & Ellie Glidewell