Don’t Go Broke for the Holidays
4 STEPS TO CREATING A CHRISTMAS BUDGET
3. Find out how much money you have left over: Subtract your total expenses from your monthly income. The number you get will be the money you have left over for discretionary spending, such as dinner out, a concert, or Christmas presents. But make sure you leave some wiggle room for any unexpected costs. 4. Plan out how much you want to spend on Christmas gifts: Write out whom you want to get gifts for and how much you want to spend. Track your spending as you go to ensure you don’t overspend or forget to buy someone a gift.
Before you head to the mall or add items to your shopping cart online, you want to ensure you have enough money to cover your monthly expenses and buy your loved ones Christmas presents. You may feel overwhelmed about your finances and how you will manage to buy gifts. But if you create a Christmas budget, you won’t break the bank!
How do you create a Christmas budget?
Shop for Christmas on a budget.
1. Write down your monthly income: The first thing you want to do is tally up how much money you bring in each month. This lets you know how much money you have before you take out your expenses. 2. Write down your monthly expenses: You want to tally up the total amount of regular monthly costs, including housing, utilities, groceries, and internet. This also includes cars, credit cards, insurance, and other monthly payments. Be sure to add any streaming or subscription fees to this total.
1. Look at last-minute sales: Tons of retailers will offer holiday sales as we get closer to Christmas. So be on the lookout for stores that mark prices down as St. Nick prepares for his journey. 2. Recycle gift cards: If you received a gift card to a store that you never used (or forgot about), re-gift it this year! Just be sure the card hasn’t expired. 3. Go thrifting: You can find great gifts at your local thrift store. Depending on where you go, you can get clothes, books, silverware, furniture, gadgets, and more. Christmas shopping can be stressful, but by creating a budget and sticking to it, you will survive this holiday season like a pro.
Take a Break!
Whoville Roast Beast
Inspired by TasteMade.com
Ingredients
Directions
1/4 cup brown sugar
Preheat oven to 375 F.
• • • • • •
1.
1 tbsp paprika
In a bowl, combine brown sugar, paprika, pepper, salt, and olive oil. Place roast in a baking pan and coat with spice mixture. Let marinate uncovered in refrigerator for 1 hour. Place pan on stove over high heat. Brown the roast on all sides, then add butter, garlic, and herbs.
2.
2 tsp black pepper
2 tsp salt
3.
3 tbsp olive oil
1 5-lb bone-in rib- eye roast
4.
3 tbsp butter
• •
2 heads of garlic, halved 2 bay leaves 4 thyme sprigs 2 rosemary sprigs 1/2 cup beef broth 1 12-oz bottle of stout beer 1 15-oz can diced tomatoes (with liquid)
5. When butter melts, add broth, beer, and tomatoes. Bring to a boil. 6. Transfer pan to oven. Braise until meat is tender, up to 2 hours. 7. Remove roast from pan and let rest for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, strain pan juices and put back into pan and boil until reduced by half. When finished, slice roast and serve with pan sauce.
• • • • •
Celebration Decoration Family Gathering
Gingerbread Hearth Holiday Icicle
Midnight Mittens Present Roots
•
740-452-8484 • 3
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator