lifeshowtos

I just wanted to wish all of the readers out there a Happy New Year…

I think we have a tough year ahead of us, but with some hope and plenty of prayer, perhaps things will get better–I will be keeping my fingers crossed.  Towards the end of 2008, retailers and individuals finally began seeing what kind of crisis our economy is really going through, and 2009 could be a year of repair, and perhaps time that some of us really begin to live frugally…

I also hope to make this blog more suficient in 2009 with more posts, and hopefully to be able to help and inspire the readers who come by here for advice and help… My goal is to hopefully post here every day-and you as readers can leave comments to remind me!…haha

I hope that at least one of your resolutions come true this year… You can make anything happen as long as you put your mind to it!..

SO here is a toast….to all you readers….Happy New Year~

So the holiday rush is over, and the New Year has came. And you begin to feel yourself—Let down..and missing the holiday spirit all over again. We all wait so anxiously for the glorious time of year when the Christmas spirit is high in the air, and everybody just seems more cheerful. Family comes around that we haven’t seen in awhile, and we get to eat all of the yummy food and those favorite recipes we have been craving all year-

Suddenly-it all comes crashing to a dead hault, and the holidays are just “done.” -OVER.

We find ourselves in a slump, especially if we have been on vacation and we have to head back to the daily grind of life, work, and taking the kids back to school again. Life begins, and all is boring again-or maybe it isn’t.

It’s easy to fall into some kind of after holiday depression and blues, but you can prevent it from happening…..

—Here are some things to do to ring in the new year—and not be blue.

• * Spend time with those that you love such as close friends and family. Be with them when you can. Don’t just visit around the holidays. Keep the spirit alive all year, by keeping in contact. Get and feel connected. Even when life seems too busy.

• *Pick up that new book you have been wanting to read, or find a great new book to read. Get away to another time, place, or world, and read. If you can’t read during the day, take some time before bed time and read. Go to bead 30-45 minutes earlier, and pick up a book.  If you can’t physically get away-you can mentally go somewhere else and relax…

• *Get interested in a new hobby for the new year. Start a cookbook filled with your favorite recipes. Start that scrapbook you have been talking about. Get the children involved so they can help too. Perhaps by next Christmas, family members might just want some copies!…

• *Write down your goals or expectations for the new year and make a point for at least 1 or 2 of them to come true. Keep the goals easy enough to where you can accomplish them.  There’s nothing better than finishing something that you have been wanting to do for a long time….

Don’t fall into a post holiday rut…. Get back into life-not into the daily drag.  Life can stay spirited all year long-as long as you make it that way

After years have passed, or your budget gets tight, it’s hard to find that perfect gift for Christmas.  After awhile, you want to find something that has meaning, and can last a lifetime or even be passed on.  How about searching through your family’s past to find old photos, recipes, trinkets, or anything else that has a special meaning?…

Try this new idea…”A TIME CAPSULE CHRISTMAS GIFT.”

You will need to get and find out a few things before you get started….

-Find out what year the person was born (the one you are giving the gift to).

-Speak with other family members and friends and try to get old photo, postcards, or any other keepsakes from the person’s past that you can use….Create a scrapbook page featuring the photos and memorabilia. 

-Find out about important events that happened during the year of the person’s birth. Look through old magazines and newspapers or even the internet….

-Try to purchase antiques or trinkets during their birth year or for different years of the person’s life. 

—-Once you have all of these items, you can begin creating this unique original Christmas gift idea. Buy a cute gift box and put all of these items together with a meaningful card.  Explain the time capsule gift and what each object in this box means.  It definitely will be a unique gift for the holiday season. 

Would you like to get your family a computer, but don’t have the extra cash to purchase one?  There are ways to get a computer without spending a lot of cash.  While times are hard, it is a good idea to find out how you can buy goods and electronics on a low budget for your household.  Computers can be pricey if you do not know what you are looking for-especially if you buy them loaded with software as well.

What some people may not realize is that sometimes you can get a computer free or for almost nothing from schools or universities when they throw out their old computers.  Some of these computers are still in decent working condition or just need small minor repairs-or perhaps the system just needs an update.  This is a great way to get a decent working computer. 

Also-Ebay is always full of electronics and people selling computers too.  You just have to read all of the descriptions carefully, and have an idea of what you are looking for. 

Always be sure to check out the classified ads in the newspapers, or even read over craigslist on the internet as well.  Somebody is usually always trying to sell or give away a computer that they no longer need.  If your children are needing  computer for school, or you need one for a home business, some of those places are wonderful to begin your search.  You don’t always have to have a lot of money to get the electronics or technology that you need for your home. 

The holidays are just around the corner, and families are in need more than ever this year.  Gas prices have finally given us some relief at the pump, but for awhile, the prices were just eating through out wallets.  Many families are suffering from job loss, a cutback of hours, and high energy costs.  There are many who have lost their homes, and they have been foreclosed on. 

If you and your family are finding yourselves in a somewhat comfortable, yet livable situation, perhaps you could try to help out families who are in need for the holidays.  Giving and helping others is a wonderful deed, and can really help you learn about current financial situations.  It is also great for your children to be a part of such services as well.  Perhaps if you help somebody today, -there may just be a time, that you could use a hand yourself later on.  If families can learn to help other families, some of the grief can be overcome.  

You can begin helping out families in need by donating to food pantries, giving away your coats that are still in great shape, or even donating clothes and toys for children at Christmas time.  Put together holiday baskets that you can hand out to families your area, or donate to nearby shelters.  Everybody needs a helping hand sometime, and is a great way to spend your extra holiday time. 

Take a tag off nearby angel trees, and shop for Christmas gifts for a little girl or boy.  These are often children who are less fortunate and need help with Christmas.  Put together small Christmas gift baskets and take them around to family homes who are in need.  Let the children help bake cookies to put in the baskets as well…  Christmas isn’t just about receiving–it’s about giving-….Giving your heart unto others…

Internet safety is a very important issue for all families with children.  It should be discussed in the household as well as having informational sheets posted up around your computer.  Always monitor your child’s internet usage, and use software to block out websites that you would not like your children to visit.  Let them know that they should not share personal information, or even let anybody know about their favorite places to eat, hang out, or where they go to school.  This is very sensitive information for internet predators and stalkers.

If you are an educator, you should also pay close attention to student’s internet usage and even have a discussion about how they can stay safe when they are using the computer online.  Internet predators are out there to seek our children, and the world wide web can be a very dangerous place without knowing the proper information.

Be aware of your child’s internet habits and the places they go online-it could very much save their lives!

For more information on Internet safety tips, check out the very informational article below, so that you can start learning today on how to protect your family and loved ones on the Internet.  Perhaps you may print and post it near your family computer too!

Click here to learn more about “What is  Internet Safety?”

Everyone enjoys a little get away to the movies every now and then-I mean-who doesn’t? But the cost is just enough to frighten me away sometimes!

You have to pay for the movie ticket itself-then the popcorn and the drinks.

I’m surprised you don’t drop a quarter somewhere for when you use the restroom!
I am only kidding on that though…

There are (surprisingly), some ways to save money going to the theater though!

If you live in the participating states, there is a program from Kerasotes theaters called, THE FIVE BUCK CLUB. Yes-it is still possible to see a movie for only $5!

I remember back when the day time movies were only $5….or $4.75 for that matter-but now I pay almost $6.00 for the matinee-and an ugly $7.50-$8 for the evening movies!…..

THE FIVE BUCK CLUB is FREE to join!.….

You just go to the website, sign up for a card, they mail it-and then BOOM-you are a member of the greatest movie club in the world.

You only have to keep track of the $5 show times in your area.
Just sign up for the emails that let you know which movies are $5.00 in your area.

Then take your card with you and you only pay $5!

Now only if they had a five buck club where you only pay $5 for your soda, popcorn, and some candy!….That would be the greatest!!!!

-—So–you want to know how to sign up for the FIVE BUCK CLUB???

CLICK HERE to get the great details for signing up for this movie saving idea…..

Barack Obama will be our nation’s new president come January 2009.-and America’s first African American president.  We certainly have a trying road ahead of all of us-and so does our economy.  Obama  certainly has promised us several things-including change.

I sure hope that change, can be a good thing. America has been in trouble for some time now, and it will be up to Mr. Obama and our congress to make these changes.  It’s always somewhat difficult adjusting to a new president I believe.  Congress must adjust, a nation must adjust, and of course, us as a nation must adjust.  We have to take a look at the outline that the new president has for us.  We must pray and hope that the new president will be there, and lead us through those trying times.  Obama has promised us so many things like new jobs, schools, healthcare-While many voted for him across America-still in our minds we are asking ourselves—Can he really do it?

The only thing we can do -is go on and pray.  Live our lives as America-support our family, continue to work at our jobs-and also survive our lives as well.  Do not feel alone if financial hardship has stricken  your household. So many Americans are currently living trying times—We are not alone as a nation.

I really hope that Obama can do the things he has set out to do.  We must have some faith, hope, and definitely believe in the power of prayer.  God will be with us.  He always is.  While some of us may be unsure of Obama’s motives-and perhaps what he has in store for America-we must continue to live our life.  Honestly-I am slightly nervous myself-ever since Obama faced away from the American flag during the pledge of allegience-that image sticks in my mind.

I sure hope he will face our flag with the hope that he promises us….

Hopefully America will overcome.  Prayer will be something that we definitely can do as a nation. I believe we are in for a shaky road for awhile-while America will adjust to it’s new leaders.  May God, be with us.

Let’s face it. In economic times and stress, job layoffs, and businesses slowing, Christmas could hurt this year. Families worry about not being able to get a few nice items for their children, and it hurts inside when you know you are having trouble providing for your family. It feels like total failure-but don’t feel at a loss-this is definitely not something that will last forever. A job will come soon, and perhaps business will pick up. Think of it as a temporary set-back. Things could get better with time.

There is help for those families who are hurting at Christmas time. And there is nothing wrong with getting assistance if you are in need. While Christmas isn’t all about presents, parents still enjoy seeing the smiles on their children’s faces when they can get a few of their favorite things, or get a chance to sit on Santa’s laugh. While-the children are what make Christmas fun with their innocent souls.

To begin looking for help, contact a community action agency, public aid, or human services.  There are usually angel trees within your area that have tags on the trees. These tags contain boys and girls in which others can shop for. Names are never displayed and your identity is never known.  You usually sign a few forms to get your children’s names on the tree, and then someone else buys the gifts, and then you go pick them back up usually at that office.  Also, some areas offer special vouchers in which you can use to go shop for your children on your own. Some offer cards that have as much as $25 on them that will allow you to buy something special for your child.

Don’t forget about crafty items too. Children love crafts. -After all -they enjoy making them for us too. … If you have a knack for making things, try creating scarves or jewelry for your little ones-or even warm knitted socks–or a snuggly blanket.  

Almost all communities offer some sort of help for low income families or those in need at Christmas time.  Once you speak to the right people and groups-or even those at your church, you can receive the help that is needed for your family during the holidays. You can even get a food basket to make that precious yummy Christmas dinner too.  

• For more information on getting help for your family at Christmas time, CLICK HERE to learn about ways to get assistance during the holidays .
  

There is nothing more enjoyable than having a great discussion or a debate over a great book.  While it’s nice to wind down in the evening with a book cuddled under your favorite blanket during those cold winter months, or lounging in the sunshine in your favorite chair or hammock with a book-it’s even more fun to read the same book with others.

 It is in our human nature to share… That’s why writers write!— We like to share our words with others. Authors love to share their adventures!-whether it be romantic, scary, sad, inspiring, or humorous.  And readers will share their opinions about a book and even recommend them.  When was the last time you recommended a book to your friend? I do it all the time-especially if I loved the story.

So if you are looking for a way to share books, stories, and some fun get away time a few times out of the month, gather a group of friends, a list of books to read, some snacks, and a meeting place–and form a book club!  Let everybody have a chance to lead the discussion and choose a book for the group to read.  This way everybody gets a chance to shine-and host a meeting.  

Books bring people together-and even create new friendships….

• Why not start a book club today?…..  If you want to gather some friends, some great books, and some yummy snacks, follow this link to this great how-to-article, and LEARN how you can form your own book club.