One Facebook friend shopped for eight hours on Black Friday. Another took three friends and filled one shopping cart a piece. I looked at photo after photo as they flooded social media. There were a lot–and I mean A LOT–of shopping hashtags and not a single #OptOutside on my Facebook feed. The Black Friday critics … [Read more…]
While the year is just getting started, I can’t help but notice how much this feels like a time of reflection. It’s been a year since a spike protein upended our lives and changed our world. Personally, I’ve already noticed just how much our finances evolved this past year. Additionally, I spent some time reflecting … [Read more…]
There are all sorts of ways to make kids expensive. Celebrating every holiday for instance. But as a family that really does love to celebrate, no matter how made up the occasion, we knew that we were going to say yes to Valentine’s Day! We knew we wanted to avoid a last-minute Valentine’s Day gift … [Read more…]
After spending an actual lifetime in the classroom, you would think that I would know a thing or two about the best teacher gifts. But this is a hard post to write. Not because I can’t pick a favorite gift (I really can’t!), but because there is so much noise surrounding teacher gifts right now. … [Read more…]
This is not about a no-spend Christmas. I have nothing against people who choose not to spend money on Christmas, or those who choose not to spend in general. But not spending isn’t for me. Instead of focusing on how to eliminate spending entirely (or even mostly!) this holiday season, I’m working on saving money … [Read more…]
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and it’s also the spendiest. Or is it? If you believe news channels or angry tweets, then maybe. It seems that most people look at this time of year as one in which we lose what little willpower we have and become total gluttons, mindlessly downing empty … [Read more…]
The holiday season is fast approaching. This is the time of year when everyone from your grandma to your favorite news anchor is talking about… Spending. Not what you thought I was going to say, was it? It almost goes without saying that when it comes to a celebration, there is usually some kind of … [Read more…]
Today is a holiday. My inbox has been celebrating for over a week. Each day, more and more emails arrive. I can’t unsubscribe fast enough. Weekly ads. Daily deals. For a limited-time only. The limited time, though, seems to grow in sync with the commercialization of each holiday. Today, a day intended to honor better … [Read more…]
It started weeks ago like any other conversation about holidays. “You don’t need to get me anything,” I said. Knowing full well that Mr. P would never listen, I followed up with a gentle reminder that Dollar Tree sells lovely cards. Valentine’s Day. Mother’s Day. Sweetest Day. They all follow the same cookie-cutter pattern. And … [Read more…]