Home Sweet Simple Home
Random thoughts
Ah, a much, much more peaceful day here today. We finished our last day of school for the year. We are all looking forward to our break next week. Lots of fun family activities have been planned.The kids have made lists of all the things they want to do over break and we'll see how many we can check off . . . . . sledding and tubing, putting a puzzle together, playing certain games, cooking, family movie nites and a sleep overs with friends.
The last of the grocery shopping before the holidays will be done later today or tomorrow. Perishables and such that couldn't be purchased too far in advance. I find it humorous to be doing normal everyday regular shopping when others seem to frantically grabbing last minute gifts. It just strikes me as odd.
----------------------------------------------------
Someone shared with me the other day about her own excursion to the store. She was in line to check out with her few purchases and was behind a woman whose cart was full to the top with Christmas decore, wrapping, potential gifts and whatnot. The total rang up to over $300 and the lady whipped out her plastic. It was denied. No problem- she whipped out another card. Denied. And another. Denied. She finally got it on the 6th card. She made jokes with the clerk about the cost of Christmas and such and was off with her plastic paid purchases, seemingly without a worry.
This shocked me. To have one credit card denied would have been a huge embarrassment to me- she was denied 5 times- and made a joke of it! The thought that this woman has at least 6 credit cards, 5 of which are maxed out simply boggles my mind.
And to her comment about the "cost of Christmas"- how utterly sad.
I thought about those first few Christmases as a young parent- thinking I had to buy this, that and the other to "give" my children a great Christmas- one they would always remember. I remember "putting it on plastic." I live with those financial errors to this day. It is amazing what you realize you can live without when you are dealing in cash and not plastic.
We haven't used plastic to pay for Christmas in 3 years. I have found that rather than being stressed out it has freed me. It has simplified things and it is so incredibly wonderful to know that there won't be any bills still being paid and paid and paid after Christmas has past.
Of course, I wish we had started down this road much sooner but we don't reflect on that too often. We each have to start somewhere- all the couldda, shouldda, woulddas aren't going to make the necessary changes. Starting is hard, staying on track can sometimes be harder but it is more than worth it.
The high cost of Christmas isn't found in maxing out all your credit cards- the cost was paid over 2,000 years ago when God allowed His Son to become a man and be born in the most humblest of circumstances. In that way- Christmas is priceless.
Leave a Comment
{ Last Page } { Page 304 of 1515 } { Next Page }Credit cards
3:03 PM, 2007-Dec-21 .. Posted by smmagersWow 5 cards , then a sixth. And she made a joke about it. What is the world coming too? We have not had any credit for 14 years. When I buy stuff at a store they offer me credit cards, when I tell them no they look at me like I am nuts. God Bless, mj
credit...
9:07 PM, 2007-Dec-21 .. Posted by AnonymousOur normal policy is cash or check only for items-we don't carry any balances-we have one personal & one for our business- mainly for gas purchases - this Christmas has been a little lean... I was sorely tempted tonight to put an item on credit to buy for the children... and I didn't. I was thankful and encouraged to read your blog!
Untitled Comment
9:03 AM, 2007-Dec-22 .. Posted by JoanneWe did the same thing when we were younger....And let me tell you, now-a-days Christmas is certainly less stressful and more enjoyable without getting in debt! We spend so much more time getting together with family and friends....
We are taking next week off from homeschool, too :o) Not as long of a break as the public school kids, but we've been a little behind in our books. We are looking *so* forward to it!
Have a wonderful week!!
Joanne
About Me
-Bilbo Baggins
Home
My Profile
Archives
Friends
My Photo Album
View my page on Homeschool Hackers
Links
Gift Baskets From MichiganThe Sparrow's Nest
Pleasant View Schoolhouse
My brother's business blog
Homeschool Buyers Co-op
Categories
101 Things I Love About My HusbandA Year of Abundance
Check This Out
Christmas and Advent
Clean Heart-Clean Home
Crafty Goodness
Everyday Things
Family Life
Financial Bliss
Gift Giving
God is Good
His Help Meet
Holidays
Homekeeping
Homeschooling
in Everything Give Thanks
In the Garden
Leftovers
Menus
One Thousand Gifts List
Proverbs 31 Woman
Quotes and Such
Recipes
The Vitamin Experiment
Thinking Out Loud
Thursday 13
Works for Me
The Wagner Clan
My Husband (DH)-Mr. Steady
My rock and biggest supporter. The glue that keeps the family sane. He is like deep, deep water- it takes a lot to see a ripple.
DD11- Our Maiden in Waiting- By the world's standard she's a 'tween'. By ours and the Lord's- this is the time of her years of preparation. She is eagerly learning what it means to keep a home and daily becomes more and more of a helper to her Mama.
DD8- Sassafras My Sassy middle child. She holds her own so sweetly and has such an empathetic heart. While real Sassafras is used for flavoring- She is that added spice of flavor to our family.
DS4- Mr. Conductor- The train aficionado in the family. He likes to think he's in charge and often is! He's also the biggest Oreo fiend in the family.
Recent Entries
The Meeting- downloadBeing Available.
Amy Update
Still Waiting
Prayer requested
Friends Here on the Homestead
HSBPublisherjenig
tnschaffer
FaithfulAcres
livin4Him6
CountryLiving
belovedlamb
quiverfull
NewHarvestHomestead
quiverfullacres
lancelotacres
CatherineAnn
countrydreamn
wannabeone
annre
kayinpa
mccrjill
TheRusticCottage
KimMC
sunnyflowers
TheLandIsCalling
tioga12
micandme
smmagers
urbanhome
VTLinda
peachyfiglet
heritagehill
MyThreeDaughters
AmyJoBellclapper
oldpathsfamilyfarm
bonnycow
TChannel4
jimnjill
shekinah
erisarei
jwells
happymama
deedee06
robertsroost
Darcy
jocelyndixon
PattyMarie
BlueApple
Skylark
Sita
naturalmama
a1health
DakotaSoaplady
cindy
countryheart
2sonsMom
ibuwolf
digbugsgirl
imspecl
hcorbin
Roberta
rashel
Rhen
jennikl9
solodeogloria
CaraDD
paschalhome
Southernangel
hmsteader71
1ladybeale
fcusick
wstoller
keeperofmyhome
TammyLynn
erkopp98
jojatek89
beccasue1029
1Teakettlelavendar
