Going into debt does not help the economy!

I have seen so many news commentators and politician encouraging people to go out and spend on the holidays. To me encouraging people to acquire new debt in this time of uncertainty is not only irresponsible, but is what helped create the issues we are struggling with now.  Don't get me wrong, as a parent I understand wanting to make the holidays magical and there are ways to do that without breaking the bank.

1. Have a homemade holiday. You and your children can make gifts to give to people. There are a ton of recipe in a jar recipes all over the Internet. You can also make your own cookie tin, or fudge tin. Making Christmas ornaments (for those who celebrate). The possibilities are endless and the gifts would be more personal.

2. Don't believe the hype. Retailers go out of their way to promote gift giving around the holidays. So much so that they KNOW come the end of November and into December we will shop. No matter what holiday you celebrate, they were not meant to be about material things. Spending time with family and counting your blessing are common holiday themes. Instead of doing a big present-a-palooza volunteer to work at a food bank with your family. Donate gifts to those less fortunate. Buying lil' Johnny an Ipod and a wii is not gonna do much good if you loose your job.

3.If you do gifts, DON'T OVER DO IT. This is the hard part when you have kids but I think we care about it more then they.

4. Shop year round and use your online cash (money made from surveys, swagbucks, mypoints, etc). This way you are not using your income on the extras. This will allow you to actually save, or at the very least be comfortable living on your income (for those of us who are paycheck to paycheck).

5. If you cashed in on Walgreens Black friday deals (or CVS) use your extra care bucks, register rewards or jingle bucks to help you pick up gifts for buying the things you use anyways. I picked up a book and some stocking stuffers from Walgreens. Jewel had Bears Jerseys and Video games on sale last week and they take Register rewards/Jingle Cash.

6. Don't try and shop every sale and chase every deal. Become a smart consumer buying what you need or know you will use.

Sorry for the rant y'all but I get so frustrated watching the news lately. They talk about how companies are pulling in the biggest profits ever, and in the same breath tell you go spend, to save the economy knowing how high our current unemployment rate is (and it will be worse when the holiday jobs disappear)