This marks the 3rd Christmas in a row that we have had debt free shopping expenses!!! ( See Nov.25,2009 post for more details...) We have 15 people total to shop for, and if we didn't have a budget, we would be in some serious trouble! This year our budget is $150, so it evens out to not more than $10 a person. Some have come in at less, some at a little more, but overall staying under that #. We have been able to do that the last 3 years thanks to some awesome sales and bargain shopping.
This year again, has been all about simplifying. I have been selling a ton of stuff, and donating a fairly equal amount to charity. Spending less on Christmas with more heartfelt gifts, opens up your heart to give to those who are truly in need this season. Whether it be a local food pantry, city union mission, samaritan's purse, etc. It leaves you with more money left to give to where it really counts. I've just started reading about the Advent Conspiracy Organization, and I love the concept- of keeping the focus on Christ, and keeping it simple.
I know that some of you might not be comfortable shopping at thrift stores-like my 2 favs- turnstyles and salvation army. I'll be the first to admit that when I was younger, I thought only poor, homeless people shopped there, and refused to ever visit. Seriously. So if some of you are thinking about where to do some of your holiday shopping, would you rather give money to giant corporations-who might not even recognize or celebrate "Merry Christmas", or would you rather buy things from someone on CL who has a true need for the extra $; or from a thrift store, where anywhere from 85-100% of the proceeds go direcly to help families that are in need and hurting during this season. Then you get the dual benefit on finding awesome deals, and helping someone in need at the same time.
Just for curiosity sake, I went through and added up how much had been spent at the 2 main thrift stores, plus about 4 other ones we don't frequent as much from the last 3 years. The results were shocking to me. It came in just over $1550.00 . I'm not putting this on here to brag, but merely to show an example of where you'd rather be spending your $. I have a hard time sometimes, when our budget can be tight, wanting to give more but there doesn't seem like enough to make a difference. By shopping at these stores, getting items that we needed anyways-generally clothes (for the kids and seavie), books, toys, household things. The proceeds are going to help people in dire need of assistance in our communities. Even choosing to donate things to your local thrift store, can bring in revenue to help those in our community. Even choosing to buy 2nd hand things from people on craigslist which a lot of times can be practically new, can be a great way to save money. Just in the last few weeks I've talked to several craigslisters that have lost jobs, or been laid off. And so they're trying to make ends meet. That can also be an indirect way to help people in need.
I also love selling unused stuff around our house on craigslist. My motto now is, if it's not being used, then it's either being donated, given to a friend in need, or sold. It is pretty much at bare essentials now. The kids closets seem practically empty, which I'm totally okay with. It reduces the clutter in the house-less to clean up after, all the way around. Selling old toys/games etc. of the kids, gives $ to use towards their Christmas presents this year. Selling random stuff around the house helps pay off unexpected bills, especially medical bills. Since I'm not working, it's really been a great source of income to help provide for our family. And the biggest bonus is, it helps us stay out of debt, and working towards paying off house debt.
On the flip side of selling/donating all this stuff around the house, it helps keep me from being materialistic. Not that I every really was (except in high school), but that if I had to walk away from everything, I would be totally okay with it. That I don't own anything that isn't worth parting with. Just give me the family pictures and memory boxes, and I'm totally okay with that. I know it's a crazy mentality to have in this culture today, but less is more for me. Just enjoying the simple things in life.
**If any of my friends reading this are blessed to have dual family incomes, or a hubby that makes a generous salary, then that's awesome. We've been pretty much living on a very modest income since we got married almost 9 years ago, and it has been rough at times, but I'm so thankful that I can look back at how our mindset has completely shifted in the last few years, especially when times have been tough, and seen God provide, and allow for me to find creative ways to give to my families and friends.**
