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I saw this on Facebook this week (it’s not my idea by any means) and thought it was worth a share. This is probably more helpful to parents of younger kids, but I think it’s a really cute way of keeping Christmas spending under control. And making it “fair.”

(Yes, I obviously have Christmas on the brain. And there are less than 100 days left in this year.)

As my kids have gotten older, their wishlists have gotten shorter, but also more expensive. It’s a catch 22. I am currently working on creating a list for my four kiddos. I want to get things purchased and wrapped early since I will need to ship both Sea Cadet and Gymnast’s gifts this year.

I have my budgeted amount and will divide that between the four kids, something here at home (food and entertainment) and then gifts for my siblings parents and grandmother. I plan to finish my Texas family gifts by Thanksgiving so that I can take them when we go rather than having to ship them. That’s what we did last year and it make the month of December a lot easier as far as preparations go.

Do you have any gift giving traditions when it comes to kids and Christmas that are both economical and cute?

Hope

Hope is a resourceful, solutions-driven online business manager with over two decades of experience helping clients streamline operations, manage projects, and grow their businesses through digital marketing and technology.

But life has a way of rewriting your plans.

A year ago, Hope made the decision to move in with her aging parents full time – a season she wouldn’t trade, even as it came with its own financial and emotional weight. Earlier this year, she lost her mother, and is now walking the tender, disorienting path of grief while learning what “forward” looks like from here.

Hope came to the Blogging Away Debt community in 2015 as a single mom raising five foster and adoptive children. She’s written through job changes, financial setbacks, and the bittersweet transition to an empty nest. Her kids are finding their footing in the world now – and so is she.

Rooted in faith and fueled by the same perseverance she’s brought to every hard season, Hope is ready to face her finances with fresh eyes and an honest pen. She believes that clarity, courage, and community can change the trajectory of anyone’s story including her own.

She lives in Austin, TX with her dad, loves adventures with her dog Addie, and is figuring out, one step at a time, what this next chapter is meant to be.

Overcoming Fear – A Look into the Future

by Hope

I recently started working with a new client. And at a month in, I have gotten a pretty good look at what my life could look like if I don’t get a better handle on my finances. Especially in regards to my savings and retirement!

My Clients Predicament

I’m not going to focus on the client to much but I’ve quickly become aware of a few things without being told them:

They did not diversify their business very well. When one thing fell through, the whole thing came tumbling down. (I am certainly familiar with this issue as it is the one that knocked me completely out a few years ago.)
They don’t seem to have any savings. (This is an assumption on my part, but based on the pressure and stress they are under to make a go of what we are working on together, I think it’s a pretty solid one.) This seems to be a common thing among serial entrepreneurs as I network with them. They invest in their business…and forget to invest in themselves. I am certainly guilty of this.
They have let fear make them flounder. This is one I hear in every single conversation I have with them. It’s painful to hear. And even harder to determine how to both guide them through and be sensitive to the predicament they find themselves in.

What it boils down to is that they don’t reach a certain income level through their current business model in the next 100 days. They will have to start all over and figure out what they are going to do with the rest of their lives…and this is at 65+ years old. A very scary situation.

Like Whoa! Moment

And an eye opening one for me! While my savings has definitely increased as my income has. I am no where near where I should be towards my retirement savings. Like nowhere. Like embarrassing to even bring up my complete and utter failure here.

So I could be this client…20 something years from now, if I don’t get my act together. This will be me. And I DO NOT WANT THAT. I am at a crossroads and…

I must create a more balanced approach to my financial life. And it needs to be done as of yesterday! Seriously! Nothing could convince me more of this, then watching my client flounder and battle this fear.

BAD Community, guide me! What steps should I take TODAY to get started in making a significant contribution to my future self. ROTH IRA, stock market, steady savings (I’m already doing this one,) other ideas? Any resources you would recommend for getting started so late in the game?

My plan is to take your idea, research them and roll them around in my head and choose a path that focuses on…regular savings (continuing to build toward a 6 month EF fund,) retirement savings AND debt payoff. My income is strong right now and steady. I want to take advantage of that as quickly as I can but also be very smart about it.