I love the Holiday season.  It’s just everything is so dang expensive this time of year.  It’s colder, so there is an increase in the cost of heating, which bites.  I try to just dress everyone warmer and we also have a fireplace that we use often.  It helps, but you know that bill is still going to be higher.

We are self-employed and winter is the hardest season for my husbands business.  He is a General Contractor.  It seems we scrape and struggle every winter.  I’m not embarrassed about it, I think a lot of people are in the same situation.  The economy sucks and we just gotta keep on truckin’! I cut expenses everywhere I can.  I try to cut down on gas by trying to take care of all of my errands in one day.  I cut out Starbucks...sniff sniff, but it had to be done.  I do occasionally treat myself though.  Mama deserves a treat now and then!

We do a lot of Thrift Store shopping, always have.  I actually love to shop thrift stores and my children are always stocked with awesome clothes that look great.  Garage Sales are another favorite of mine!  You can find brand new with tags still attached items at both Thrift Stores and Garage Sales.

My kids are learning to be thrifty just like their mama.  Morgan is an amazing shopper and great with money.  She does not blow money.  She knows the value of a dollar and I am so proud! She figures out the best deals for anything she wants to get.  You can be thrifty in the kitchen too!  Pretty soon Turkeys will be on sale at a great price!  Grab a few and find some great ways to use all that meat up!  Make some cheaper healthy meals.  My girls love Bean and Cheese Quesadillas!  That is CHEAP!

So it’s time to start gathering ideas for homemade Christmas presents.  I love homemade gifts and we have a goal to make the majority of our gifts this year.  Not only will my girls have fun, others will appreciate the time and skill they dedicated to making the gifts.  Christmas is not about who can spend the most or get the most.

There are a few “big ticket” type things that I want to pull off for the girls.  I am trying to set aside money to do that.  I know some people who go and get those payday loans, but I do not think that is an option for the self-employed.

When my new site launches next month I will have all sorts of homemade gift ideas for you!