Debt-Free Christmas

We are having a debt-free Christmas again this year. I love the feeling of no guilt on Christmas morning. Here are a few of the ways that we are keeping Christmas debt-free: - Kohl's cash. (I give all my Kohl's cash to hubby, who uses it to ship for me, for free!) - Disney Movie Rewards. (Cashed in our rewards for a cool gift for each of the kiddos with free shipping!) - Bank Rewards Points. (Cashing these in for gift cards to use on Black Friday.) - Kids are selling things that they no longer want at Once Upon a Child to "earn" money to buy gifts for each other. - Aldi's has a great selection of toys at good prices. - Three Bags Full children's consignment sale. (This sale is one of my favorites and this year they are having a holiday clothing and toy sale here in my city.) - As always, I am hand-making some gifts. - I am using my checks from my Scentsy business to provide the gifts my kids really want. My business has been such a blessing to our family! - We are limiting our kids to only asking for 3 gifts each from Santa. We have done this every year and found it to be very reasonable. - I am using coupons to purchase household gift items like Pyrex, beauty products, etc. What is your game plan to survive the holiday? PS (For my readers, I am planning on coming back...I really miss this outlet of mine. Watch for a post per week regarding life, faith, family, and savings. I've missed you all!)

Beyond the Tie and Tools : Ideas for Father's Day

It would be so easy to buy the standard striped tie or a new ratchet set for Father's Day...wouldn't it? But, that would be so predictable, and so not creative. Here are a few ideas for great Father's Day gifts:



A keepsake canvas like this.



A BBQ apron and some grill tools from Dollar Tree will make a grilling Papa proud.

A coffee mug from Snapfish with a Starbucks card inside.

Car wash supplies - or better yet, gift certificates for a local car wash!

A 2-fer pass for golfing...tell him to take a buddy along.



A firepit and some hot dog sticks.

A new cooler filled with his favorite beverages.



Tickets to a pro game.

New sunglasses and flip flops.

A gift card to his favorite lunch place - what freedom to have lunch with no budget guilt!




That "thing" that he's been wanting...you know what it is. In our house its a kettleball and lawn mower wheels.

Have fun surprising your Papa this Father's Day!

I'm Earning FREE Cash for Christmas

Now is the time to cash in your "points" to earn FREE cash for Christmas. Help your budget stretch without breaking the bank!

I cashed in points through Pampers Gifts to Grow program for $10 to Barnes & Noble Bookstores.

I also cashed in points through our National City debit card to get $10 to Old Navy, $10 to Target, and $10 to CVS!

Today, I earned $40 by cashing in my points - Santa is comin' to town, folks! ;)