3 GIFT-GIVING TIPS
THAT WON’T KILL YOUR SAVINGS
a great crafter, create something unique for the people on your list. If you can offer the gift of time, provide a free night of babysitting for your friends with kids or an experience at the local theater. These gifts have a bonus factor: Recipients love the gift when they open it, and they love it when they get to use it!
Ah, the holidays. It’s a time of sweet treats, family, and giving back — and sometimes giving a little too much. When it comes to the perfect holiday gift, many people spend too much money. The average American spends nearly $1,000 on gifts during the December holidays alone!
It’s possible to cut back and make it to January without major debt. Here’s how.
KEEP THE HOLIDAYS MERRY And Avoid These 3 Disasters Check your list — twice! The list is going to be your secret weapon to tackling the holidays with your savings still intact. Start by writing down the name of every person you’d like to get a gift for. Now, with the exception of your immediate family members, narrow the names down to your top five — top 10 if you’re really popular. Now, place the names of the people who didn’t make the cut into a second list. If you still feel the need to do something for them, send homemade cookies or a handwritten note instead of purchasing something. This limits how much you actually have to spend! Think beyond store-bought or expensive items. Sure, everyone wants this holiday season’s “it” item, but sometimes the best gifts don’t even come wrapped under the tree. Instead, look to your own talents as a clue to what you should give. If you’re To make sure your holidays are merry and bright, take steps to ensure all the extra decor and baking doesn't create a holiday disaster. This season, avoid stress and grief by preventing holiday mishaps with this helpful guide! Snuff out fire chances. Overly zealous turkey fryers, excited holiday decorators, and busy stocking stuffers have been known to set their holidays aflame.
Set a budget — and stick to it. Setting a holiday budget ensures you only spend what you can afford. It also narrows down your search. If you choose to buy your neighbor something, but they aren’t your top priority, set their budget at a lower level, like $25–$50. If you have a sibling who has had a rough year and you’d like to make their holidays a little brighter, bump their budget up. This narrows the focus of what you’re looking for so you don’t stumble into something you can’t afford. Ultimately, it’s the spirit of giving during the holidays that makes them so rewarding. With a little ingenuity, you can be generous and avoid the stress of excess debt come January.
instant, cracked or broken lights can spark a fire, outlets can burn from overuse, and decor over a fireplace can be set ablaze.
Stay safe up high and on the ground. When hanging or removing Christmas lights, be sure to use a sturdy ladder and ask someone to serve as a spotter. Avoid climbing onto roofs that are icy or wet. Finally, ensure all lights are properly working before climbing up
onto the roof. Once your feet are firmly planted on the ground, be mindful of slick or icy patches and keep walkways clear of decor.
Protect your bank account. The holidays bring out the best in most people, but for others, they bring out the worst. Holiday scammers will play on the giving nature of others by asking for phony donations. Others will offer outrageous deals on gifts or ask for gift cards. Always verify the source before giving away your money and check nonprofits with the Better Business Bureau. Report all scams to the local authorities. If you want more information on how to avoid scammers, visit ConsumerFTC.gov and read advice from the Federal Trade Commission. The holidays should be a time of merriment, but if you are left injured after an accident this holiday season, you deserve proper compensation. Call our experts at the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C. at 229-888-0888 and begin your road to recovery with the resources you need.
Let’s start with the food. Only fry your turkey outside, away from your home and after the turkey has completely thawed
out. Always wear protective gloves and glasses when frying and keep children out of reach. In the kitchen, properly clean your oven and monitor it regularly when in use, setting timers to alert you when the baking is done. It may not be as obvious, but items around the home can be just as flammable as the food in your oven. A dry tree can go up in flames in an
P.S. See Page 3 for tips on how to avoid accidents during holiday travels!
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