responsiblities of homeowners and tips for maintence of your home

This month we had great audience participation in the very timely topic of Holiday spending.

Just when you are starting to feel your heart palpate and wonder where is the money going to come from?? Maybe there are other questions you should be asking yourself.

Everyone walked away realizing this was great information and we will implement it now and get the rewards next year!!

Some ideas are very beneficial for this holiday season, but the overwhelming truth is that we need a plan for gifts because they can be very costly and often cause you stress over how you are going to pay for it all!

This is a separate account, or maybe envelopes with specific names or events on it that you keep in a secret place.

You determine the goal amount in the account or each envelope and then each month you put a little away towards that.

This is kind of like your own lay away program. Once the event like Christmas or birthday comes around you already have the money and do not have to stress out or go in debt buying a gift.

11 Valuable Strategies and Tips for Holiday Spending:

1.Have spending limits either per person or totals. And STICK to it!

2.Write out each person’s name with their hobbies, or likes and make lists of things you would like to buy them. Don't buy everything! Dwindle the list down for the perfect gifts

3.Look in adds and find the deals. Price match. Walmart says they match anyone's price.

4.Always ask if you can get a better price. It can't hurt to ask.

5.Have your family hold off on gifts till after the Christmas rush and buy the gifts in the New Year when they are cheaper. Maybe give IOU's and then go shopping together in the New Year when the prices are better.

6.Use coupons. Toy R Us is very good with coupons, put them in your wallet so that you don't forget to use them .

7.Make home made gifts. Pictures or painting are big hits. Personal calenders with personal pictures are popular.

8.Have family member say things about a certain person then transcribe or record these and give them to the person as a gift. Great for a grandparent.

9.If you have points from your debit card use them.

10.Have your kids make lists and make it fun and then as you get closer the event they get to pick one thing on the list. Now the list may have 100 things on it but they get to pick one.

11.Lastly, time is our most precious gift. Spending your time with your loved ones is truly the best thing you can give them. If money is tough this year, spend quality time together. Play games, puzzles, go for a walk, watch a movie and eat popcorn out of the same bowl! It doesn't have to cost a lot to mean a lot.

Classes are designed for our tenant home buyers while they are working on getting financed for their home. Keep in mind they are living in their home while working on this goal.