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Publication Information: Copyright "The Dollar Stretcher, Inc." 2002. ISSN 1527-2974
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In this issue:

Introduction

Opening Your Home for the Holidays
by Cheryl Gochnauer
Will you survive holiday visitors?

"Can You Spare a Dime?"
by Debi Taylor-Hough
Friendship bags demonstrate the real holiday spirit

Cashing in on After-Christmas Sales
by Kim Danger
Make the most of the sales

What Does Love Mean?
courtesy of Servant.org
There are some things that money can't buy

Tips, Quips, Quotes & Questions

On www.Stretcher.com This Week

Merry Christmas to all my Frugal Friends!

I'm sure you're all busy so we won't keep you here. Just a short note about the last article in this week's issue called "What Does Love Mean?" It's a little different from our usual time and money saving articles. But this time of year it seemed appropriate to take a moment to remember that there are some things that money can't buy.

Hope you have a wonderful Christmas!
Gary

Twas The Night Before Visitors, and all through the house, the hostess was obsessing, drafting children and spouse.

Hark! The Herald Doorbell Rings. One source which, understandably, wished to remain anonymous, says, "With my family, there's no notice. They just come and run you over." Avoid having to just say "Go" by scheduling the visit's end before guests arrive.

Give new visitors a tour. Present simple ground rules positively. If you'd rather guests not smoke inside, provide an alternative. Demonstrate how to operate remotes and microwaves. If they have free access to the refrigerator, tell them.

What "Child" Is This? When guests surprise you with Fido, remain calm. If you don't allow indoor pets, offer your garage, suggest a nearby kennel, or ask that the animal be confined to its carrier.

On the flip side, forewarn visitors about your own pets. "I make it known that I have a dog, and the dog lives in the house," says Teresa. "If they can't handle that, they need to find somewhere else to stay."

Dance of the Sugar-Free Plum Fairies. "My husband, Bob, and I talk with guests ahead of time to see if they have any unusual food preferences or dietary needs," says Charlotte. Sidestep the disappointment of a "no, thanks" response to your seven-course meal by determining crowd-pleasing menus ahead of time.

Why slave alone in the kitchen while friends reminisce in the den? Prepare several meals in advance. Make double portions and throw the extra in the freezer. Stock up on foods that won't spoil if everyone decides to eat out - or if guests don't show at all. Make breakfast easy for everyone, whether they be early-risers or sleep-ins, by setting out cereal the night before.

Sleep in Heavenly Peace. Make guestrooms as dreamy as possible. Test the bed's comfort, imagining yourself as an outsider. Furnish a nightlight, alarm clock, extra blankets and storage space for belongings. Please night owls with a television with an earphone jack, or magazines to browse in the wee hours. Plan for pallets, in case parents want their small children to sleep in their room.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Chaos. If everybody's enjoying themselves, there's no reason to rush friends and family to the door. But if they're there for several days, you should definitely look to them for help. Don't be shy about inviting guests into the kitchen to help chop vegetables or set the table. Playfully toss them a dishtowel after dinner. If they're getting low on clean clothes, show them how to operate your washer and dryer. Point out extra toilet tissue and cleaning supplies under the guest bathroom sink.

Oh Holy Nightlife. Explore the local holiday sites together. Have a tentative entertainment schedule set before guests arrive so you can coordinate your plans with theirs. Tug-of-wars over checks are avoided, too, by discussing finances in advance. Will you split expenses, or treat each other? Presenting options in a forthright, cordial manner sets everyone at ease. Be sure to carve out some downtime so your guests can spend some time to themselves, too.

Away in a Minivan. As the visit winds down, do a room-by-room check to make sure no one's forgotten anything. Help take luggage to the car, then gather everyone together for one last photo, surprising children with a small gift to entertain them on their way home.

Hugs. Kisses. Waves.

Close the door. Reclaim your recliner.

Enjoy the silent night.

Cheryl Coghnauer is the editor of a free email newsletter for stay-at-home parents called "Homebodies". To subscribe, send an email to subscribe-ds-homebodies@ds.xc.org Comments? Write cheryl@homebodies.org and be sure to visit her website at homebodies.org where you can read 25 columnists devoted to encouraging at-home parents. All rights reserved, Homebodies.Org, LLC.

Several years ago, a young couple from our local church was pondering what to do about the various people they saw on street corners around town asking for food or money.

This couple didn't want to just hand out money. They weren't sure cash was going to be used in what they considered an appropriate manner, but they also didn't want to ignore sincere pleas for help from those truly in need.

After thinking and praying about it, this couple came up with a simple idea that not only met the immediate needs of the person on the street corner, but also met the desire of the couple to provide help in a practical way without feeling someone might be taking advantage of their kind hearts.

Their solution? A great little idea they dubbed "Friendship Bags." They made up several small paper lunch bags of inexpensive and helpful items (easy-open cans of food, juice, change for a phone call, etc.). They carried the bags with them in their car for those moments when someone waved a "Homeless ... need money for food" sign next to their car window.

Eventually word got around to the leadership of our church about this couple's "Friendship Bags" and a new church ministry was born. Now every month, a small group of dedicated volunteers get together and make up a batch (about fifty) of Friendship Bags. These bags are then brought to the church and left in the foyer for anyone who'd like to keep a bag or two in their car for giving out as they're driving around town.

Each of the church's Friendship Bags contain:

• a pop-top can of fruit, or fruit cocktail
• a pop-top can of vienna sausage
• a small can of juice
• a package of cheese and crackers, or peanut
• butter and crackers
• a napkin and plastic fork
• a moist towelette
• one all-day bus pass
• change for a local phone call
• a coupon for a free shower at the local YMCA
• a card with a list of community contact phone numbers (crisis clinic, food bank, Salvation Army, etc.)
• a small tract and note from the church inviting them to stop by or call if they need any further assistance

If you've been puzzled about finding an appropriate response to the needy on our streets, perhaps making up a few Friendship Bags of your own might provide an answer. It makes a great family project, too.

Deborah Taylor-Hough (free-lance writer, wife and mother of three) is the author of "A Simple Choice: A practical guide for saving your time, money and sanity" and "Frozen Assets: How to cook for a day and eat for a month" (Champion Press). Her newest book, "Frugal Living for Dummies(r)", will be released February 2003 (Wiley).
Visit Debi online at: http://hometown.aol.com/dsimple/ Subscribe to her free email newsletter, Simple Times: subscribe-simple-times@ds.xc.org

Share your thoughts about this article with the editor: Click Here

The holidays are over. Your gifts are unwrapped and the decorations are coming down. For a lot of people, the end of the holiday season can be a little depressing. For bargain shoppers, however, the fun is just beginning! I look forward to the post-holiday shopping season almost as much as I do Christmas day itself. Here are a few tips I've picked up over the years to make the most of those after-holiday sales.

When to Shop: Sales begin promptly when stores open on December 26th. Be there early if you want the best selection. You will typically save 50% the day after Christmas, progressing to 75% the week after, then up to 90% in January. However, the longer you wait, the more picked over things will be.

Where to Shop: You'll often find the best deals in the most out-of-the-way places. The key is to use your creativity when shopping. Where do you think most shoppers in your area will be? Try to go elsewhere.

Grocery stores. Shop for items such as colored plastic wrap, baggies or anything with festive prints. I stock up on the kids cereals, cookies, or snacks that have holiday packaging. Your children won t know the difference! Shop for candy and baking items as well. If you buy good quality chocolate, you'll save a bundle and be able to use it for cooking or recipes.

Your local thrift stores. Thrift stores see an influx of goods this time of year, due to people wanting to claim their tax deductions before the year is over. It s a time when these stores see a surplus of donations and a slow-down of shoppers. The perfect time to shop!

Fabric stores, book stores, and hardware stores. These stores may offer the same type of things you re looking for at giant retailers like Target, Wal-Mart and Kmart, but they aren t as picked over and reduce their prices more quickly. Shop for items like Christmas lights, greeting cards, wrapping paper, decorations, etc.

What to Buy: While holiday themed decorations and paraphernalia are the most obvious things to buy, keep your eyes open for other sales. The large stream of shoppers presents retailers with a great opportunity to move other clearance items as well. Toys are often greatly reduced post-holiday, so think ahead to upcoming birthdays and even next Christmas.

• Buy a yearly Christmas ornament for your child with the year on it, but purchase it after Christmas and save 50-75%.
• Buy your Christmas cards and address them now.
• Wait until January to buy your family s calendar. You may not get to choose exactly the one you want, but you re likely to find something you like for up to 75% off. This is also a great time to buy non-dated calendars like daytimers/organizers. They make great gifts, too!
• Look at the pre-packaged holiday gift baskets. You can always disassemble them and use them for other gifts.

Kim Danger is a 30-year-old work-at-home-mom living in Southern Minnesota. A self-proclaimed cheapskate, her website Mommysavers.com helps make moms make the most of their time and money. Visit today and sign up for the free weekly newsletter: mommysavers.com

Share your thoughts about this article with the editor: Click Here

"When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You know that your name is safe in their mouth." Billy - age 4

"Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other." Karl - age 5

"Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs." Chrissy - age 6

"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired." Terri - age 4

"Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK." Danny - age 7

"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen." Bobby - age 5

"If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend whom you hate." Nikka - age 6

"There are two kinds of love. Our love. God's love. But God makes both kinds of them." Jenny - age 4

"Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday." Noelle - age 7

"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well." Tommy - age 6

"My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night." Clare - Age 5

"Love is when mommy gives daddy the best piece of chicken." Elaine - age 5

"Love is when mommy sees daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford." Chris - age 8

"Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day." Mary Ann - age 4

"I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones." Lauren - age 4

"You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget." Jessica - age 8

Originally published in the Servant Quarters Newsletter. For more information about Gayle D. Erwin's ministry and the Servant Quarters newsletter visit www.servant.org

My husband wears Dockers, or a similar type pair of slacks, daily to work. Long before the pants are worn out anywhere else, he has a hole in the back pocket where his wallet is. I now iron mending tape to the inside of the pocket before the pants are ever worn. We have saved a fortune and the tape is about $2.00 at any fabric store.
Terry K.

What to do with unwanted presents??? No receipt, can't take them back? STUCK with them? Wish there was a way to EXCHANGE them. My family has come up with a solution. We have grown quite large and it is too expensive to buy for everyone so now we get together on New Years Day. Sometime between football games and the food, we EXCHANGE our unwanted gifts. Each person draws a number and takes 3 coins (pennies, dimes or poker chips). The person with number 1 picks a wrapped gift out of the pile and opens it. Then person #2 opens a present. If person #1 likes person #2's present then person #1 can use a coin to purchase person #2 present. Person #2 ends up with person #1 present. This continues until everyone has opened a present and no one has any money left to buy or no one is wanting to buy the others present. IT is a LOAD of fun and laughs. You may still end up with a 'unwanted present' but you had a second chance and a load of fun trying to EXCHANGE your presents. NO LONG LINES... They have done this for 2 years and they talk about it ALL year round and the laughs continue from year to year. IT is DEFINITELY a 'make a memory' time....
(TIP: DO NOT bring presents that were purchased by ANYONE attending the party, [ex. Aunt Mildred gives you a hat with a bird on it for your birthday and you decide to take it to the EXCHANGE, you don't know the hat was 'custom' made for you by Aunt Mildred's friend] ...THIS WOULD NOT BE A FUN TIME)
Jeanie

A great way to soften and deodorize clothes is to pour one teaspoon baking soda into a liquid softener dispenser (The ball type that opens during the rinse cycle) then slowly pour vinegar up to the fill line. It will bubble but not overflow if the vinegar isn't poured too fast. Clothes will soften and be odor free without perfumes and chemicals!
If you really like the softener fragrance, store cut pieces of sponges in a clean mayonaise jar filled with liquid fabric softener. Squeeze out the excess so that it doesn't drip and throw in the dryer with the wet clothes like a dryer sheet. When the clothes are dry just drop it back in the jar to use in the next load.
Lisa

Is buying Christmas cards and postage putting an additional strain on your holiday budget?
Here's an idea:
just after the holidays, prices for holiday items go down by as much as 75%! Stock up on cards.
Instead of waiting till November or December, start addressing the cards right away. Do one or two a week and put the postage on. Come December all you have to do is add the personal touches to the individual cards and you are ready to roll!
A few stamps a week hardly have an impact on your budget. If the postage rates change throughout the year, it should not make a huge difference.
This not only saves money, but also a lot of time!
Happy Holidays!
Heide K.

I am always looking for new Christmas traditions to start for my family. This year I had a brainstorm when I was just falling asleep. We have put up a stocking for Jesus. I sat down with the kids and talked to them about how Jesus said, "If you love me keep my commands." and that the two greatest commandments were, "Love the Lord with all your heart," and "love your neighbor as yourself." We talked about how we could do these things in our everyday life and wrote these suggestions down on a slip of paper. We put them in a box along with extra slips of paper and every time one of us does these things, we sign it and put it in the stocking for Jesus. On Christmas Eve we will open the stocking and read together all the gifts our family gave Jesus this year. So far, we are all enjoying doing this and it is teaching my kids how simple it can be to live for God.
Heather T.
Federal Way, WA

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