Old-Fashioned Christmas Fun

Crafty Old-Fashioned Christmas Fun

 Sometimes the best times are the simplest times. You and your family can have an old-fashioned Christmas by enjoying some fun holiday crafts. Here are five old-fashioned Christmas craft ideas to enjoy.

 #1 Paper chain – Paper chains can be made year around. However, they’re particularly fun during the holidays. They’re a wonderful and quite simple way to decorate a holiday tree. You’ll need construction paper, or old wrapping paper works quite well too. You’ll also need glue.

 Cut small strips of paper, the size you want your rings to be. Fold the ends over so the strip makes a circle, and glue the ends together. Create another circle through your first one and continue linking the circles together until your chain has reached its desired length or your fingers are tired from cutting and gluing. Let dry and hang on your tree or around a doorway, mirror or fireplace mantle.

 #2 Popcorn strands – Popcorn and cranberry strands are another old-fashioned holiday tradition. Like the paper chain, they can be used to hang on a tree or decorate other areas of your home. You’ll need to pop some popcorn and purchase a bag or two of fresh cranberries. You’ll also need a needle and durable thread measured to your desired length. It’s also a good idea to have a thimble to protect your thumb. It can be difficult to push the needle through the cranberries. Create a pattern of your choosing. You can rotate cranberry and popcorn kernels, or you can string mostly popcorn with the occasional splash of red. You decide.

 #3 Paper snowflakes – Children love to cut paper snowflakes and teens and adults can have fun too. Using special paper and scissors with patterns, you can take this basic craft and make it quite extraordinary. Consider using old wrapping paper from last year to add a holiday touch.  Paper snowflake fun

 #4 Gingerbread homes and cookies – Who doesn’t love a good gingerbread cookie! And decorating them is extremely fun. If you want to get even more elaborate or detailed, consider making a gingerbread house instead. You can buy kits at the craft store to help you make a gingerbread house. They usually come with everything you need, including the candy decorations. Or you can try it yourself by following a basic recipe, do your own design, and purchasing the candy and frosting to fit your needs .Gingerbread fun 

 #5 Pine cone ornaments – Pine cones (collected in your yard, in the woods or purchased at a craft store) make wonderful tree decorations and centerpieces. You can add small items like buttons and knick-knacks to the cone with hot glue. You can spray it with adhesive and sprinkle glitter on it. You can also purchase spray paint and coat the pine cone for a dynamic effect. String the cones and hang them on your tree. Or place them in a basket for a centerpiece.

 Old-fashioned holiday crafts often focus on using items you may already have at home. They are simple ideas executed well. A simple piece of paper can become a snowflake masterpiece. A basic piece of popcorn can become a beautiful decoration. Have fun this holiday and remember the simple things that make it special.

Plastic Jungle is a great way to save

Think gift cards are a great gift? Read this and save.  Great idea–combine discounted gift cards with store specials!

Holiday Spending Part 2

Seven Tips for a Family Christmas That Doesn’t Break the Bank

On a budget? Who isn’t these days? With the economy still a bit tight for many families, it’s tough to think about the upcoming holidays without getting a little stressed. How are you going to afford it? Not to worry. It’s possible to have a magnificent family Christmas and still stay on or below budget.

Here are seven tips for a family Christmas that doesn’t break the bank.

#1 Plan well ahead – Chances are you can still get some closeout holiday decoration items from last year. We’re talking about holiday ornaments, table cloths and place settings, and of course wreaths and other adornments.

#2 Shop on auction sites – Start shopping for holiday gifts before the season is in full swing. Use auction sites like eBay to buy many of your gifts. You can buy them gently used or brand spanking new and save a bundle.

#3 Get a family gift – Depending on how old your children are, they may understand the concept of a budget. If they’re old enough to understand, pose the idea of a family gift to them instead of individual gifts. If you spend, for example, $300 on a family gift instead of spending $100 per person, you’re saving $100 on a four-person family and more if your family is larger.

Great ideas for family gifts might include a home gaming system, a new computer, a trip to a show, or even a new pet.

#4 Have everyone bring something – If you host a family Christmas get-together, instead of making the entire meal yourself, have others bring a dish to pass. You can make the main course and set the table; the rest is up to your family members.

#5 Simply scale down – Ask your family members and children specifically to choose one gift they want this year instead of ten. Ask them to keep to a specific dollar amount. Children understand that the holidays are about more than getting gifts.

#6 Make some gifts – If you’re crafty at all or an artist, make some gifts for people. If you’re a photographer for example, take a photo, frame it and give it as a gift. If you like to knit, knit holiday stockings for other family members. If you’re a cook, make them some delicious salsa or bread. They’ll love the personal attention.

#7 Trade and barter – One great way to get original gifts at a low price is to trade or barter with others. If you have a particular skill or service you can offer, that makes it much easier. For example, if you have a friend who owns a toy store, you can offer to work in the store in exchange for toys.

There are many creative ways to make the most of this holiday season without spending a fortune. Use your imagination and plan ahead.

Five Great Places to Get Unique Gifts

Five Great Places to Get Unique, Budget-Friendly  Holiday Gifts

 Are you tired of giving the same old commercialized brand name gifts to friends and family? Are you looking for something unique and personalized to give this year? On a budget and trying to be creative? Here are five great places to help you get started on your quest!

 #1 Etsy – Etsy is a website that sells vintage items along with handmade items. There are some real artisans here. You can find everything from home goods to beautiful pieces of art and jewelry on Etsy.

 It works much like eBay in that each seller has their own store. Etsy takes PayPal, which makes paying for your purchases quick and easy. And you can contact the artist or seller to ask questions. One of the wonderful things about Etsy, besides the variety of products you can purchase, is the unique nature. Many items are one of a kind items that you just cannot get anywhere else.

 Additionally, there’s something satisfying about helping small business owners and artists make a living. The Etsy website 

#2 Foodzie – If you love food or the person you’re buying for is a real foodie, consider visiting Foodzie. Much like Etsy, Foodzie is a website set up to help chefs, bakers and food artists from around the world sell their wares.

You can buy anything from kicking hot salsa to amazing cookies and baked goods. Candies, cheese, meats and just about everything under the sun is available at Foodzie. It’s a great place to try new food and to buy unique gifts at a low cost.

You may want to try the food before you give it as a gift to make sure it’s what you’re looking for. You can also read reviews posted about the sellers to help minimize risk. Like Etsy you can pay via PayPal.

Consider using Foodzie to create one of a kind gift baskets. The Foodzie website  

#3 Ebay – If your recipient loves vintage, consider shopping on eBay for their holiday gift. Many of eBay’s items are auctions; however, there are also some great buy it now offers. Antiques, vintage jewelry, and even photographs and movie posters can be found online at eBay. It’s a fun place to do your holiday shopping.

 #4 Charities – Every year more and more charities are promoting themselves as a gift giving option. You can donate in your recipient’s name to anything from the Red Cross to buying a cow in Africa to feed a family. You can help children learn, deliver water to families in drought-ridden areas or help the homeless. It’s a kind and rewarding gift.

 #5 Your local gift shop – Finally, don’t forget to wander the shopping district in your own home town. Local small gift shops are jam-packed with unique gift ideas and again, it’s just plain fun to support local small business owners.

 There’s no end to the unique gifts you can give to your friends and family. Check out these five ideas today and get started on what may be the best holiday yet.

Holiday Spending Part 1

How to Not Overspend This Christmas

 During the holiday season, one thing that’s really easy to do is to overspend, and breaking the budget can lead to stress, anxiety, debt and no money left for anything else. That’s no way to spend your holidays! Here’s how to not overspend this holiday season.

 #1 Set your priorities – What is the single most important thing to you this holiday season? Is it to see family you haven’t seen in a while? Is it to take time off from work and enjoy your family? Is it to travel to a new location and sightsee? Is it to see the smiles on your kids’ faces when they open their gifts?

 What is the single most important thing you want to accomplish this holiday season? 

 #2 Create a plan around your priority – If, for example, your goal this holiday is to spend time with your family, then create a plan to make that happen. Perhaps you’ll spend a weekend at an indoor water park during the holiday break. Maybe you’ll take long days and visit local museums. Maybe you’ll go Christmas caroling and decorate a tree. Write down the things that will help you achieve your goal.

 #3 Budget – The next step, once you’ve created a plan to achieve your goal, is to budget for it. This means outlining what you have to spend on your holiday goal and how much it’s realistically going to cost. Don’t forget to budget a little bit for your other holiday priorities and expectations.

 For example, maybe you’ve decided that in order to achieve your goal of a family vacation, you’re not going to get each other any gifts. You may still be obligated to get gifts for your child’s teachers or classroom secret Santa gifts. Make sure to include those items in your budget.

#4 Tracking – The next step to stay on budget, regardless of your holiday priorities and goals, is to track your expenses. For example, if you’re buying tickets for that family vacation, track how much it’s costing you. When you’re on vacation, make sure to track how much you’re spending. That way, you can be sure you’re sticking to your budget.

#5 Contingencies – A good budget always includes a little wiggle room. Call it the miscellaneous or emergency fund. When you make room for the unexpected, it’s not a stressful event when it happens.

Before you dive into the holiday season, take some time to prioritize and identify your goals. What does Christmas mean to you? Do your goals, plans and budget reflect that? If not, make adjustments. Christmas doesn’t have to be about giving gifts to everyone you know. It can be, but it can also be about family, vacations, or some well-deserved rest. You get to decide how you want to spend it and how much it costs you.

Summer Creativity Boost

Big news!  Best-selling author and artist SARK (aka Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy) has just announced a new session of Dream Boogie with SARK, starting Wednesday September 22.  If you sign up by August 15, you save $20 with the “Early Dreamer Discount”, and you also get a bonus jump-start workbook called “SARK’s Purple Dream Crayon: A Playbook for Naming Your Dream”

SARK has been teaching workshops all around the world for over 25 years, and now you can work with her directly in this a dream productivity program that is packed with inspiration and innovation to help you move from dreaming to DOing.

You can enjoy some fun, free “Dream Boogie” samples, including interview audio snippets, plus colorful SARK videos, workbook downloads, and other funky little goodies for your dream.

What is the independence YOU want?

Independent thought and Resource management   July is a time when we think about independence and it’s an excellent time to look at what resources you have already on the books and track how well  they are working for you.  Independent thinking on the subject of wealth means looking at things with a free mind and concentrating on a desired outcome.      At Rich Chicks we believe and teach that wealth creation is about having access to resources.  That also means paying attention to and managing the resources that you currently have.  Part of financial independence is not just having money, it’s about freedom from fear about money and being able to look at your total resource picture in a cool, logical way–and do so often, not just when you are panicked about something. .     Why should you look at your resources often? Many people avoid this task because they fear what they might see or they think it’s a hassle, or they think it’s someone else’s job.  Wake up!  Fear is the very reason you should be looking, it’s not a hassle, and it is your job to take care of yourself.   Top Three Reasons to Track Your Resources   1. Viewing your credit cards and bank accounts in a timely way lets you know what your money is doing-it’s much easier to spot charges that aren’t yours and report them. 2. Knowing what resources you have available also helps you reduce stress and start problem solving. How can you connect  with resources that you need?.  3. Looking  at your resources without emotion or doubt is a mindset that  allows you to interact with them in a very functional way. Here is a Rich Chicks independence challenge for you:  –Look at your interest rates and banking relationships. Make sure your overdraft protection is current. Does your checking account pay you interest? Do you understand the bank charges? –Check on your debt and interest rates. Really know what you owe, even if it’s scary. Can you get a lower interest rate? You won’t know unless you call and ask.   –Take 30 minutes and really check in with how things are going in your retirement plan and set a date (month, day and year) for retirement (like age 65).    Five follow up questions to help promote free thinking about your resources Is this a resource I plan on using? When do I need this resource? Is this the best way to manage this resource? Are they ways to make this resource more useful? Should this resource be connected to another resource?

Buddy up with the bank

The purpose of a bank is for THEM to pay YOU for doing business with them.  Being able to manage everyday cash flow with the lowest fees will increase the amount of wealth you can hold on to.

Your money needs to be working as hard as you do. That’s why you need to look at the interest that you earn.

If you are not earning interest on your money than you are at the wrong bank. Paying fees is not acceptable! Look at what your bank offers–and hold on to your wealth.

Relationships for life…and business

Guest Blogger for Rich Chicks, Cathy Paper of rockpaperstar and Dream Job Lab

Most people want more sales and more career success.  Growing healthy relationships is the key to making a stronger impact as a business person.  Yet, 9 out of 10 people think expanding their network means pushing themselves on other people and feels “slimy.”  There are several ways to grow your relationships and heighten your reputation without becoming a slick image of your authentic self.

 Here are five ways I’ve seen people quickly become effective at increasing the power of their relationships:

1.  Define your style.  What kind of a person do you want to be known as? A giver, a taker, a connector, a writer, a self-promoter, a volunteer etc.  Spend half an hour defining your personal brand.  Ask someone you trust and respect what they think about you and how they would describe you to someone else.  If they hesitate and can’t answer the question, you have some work to do to be seen as a value-add.
2.  Get involved and give back.  Building relationships is not just lunch after lunch or 50 cold calls to grow your contact list.  One of the best ways to get to know other people is to serve on a committee or a volunteer team.  You can make a difference to an organization you are passionate about and meet great people along the way.  Making connections starts with thinking about someone other than yourself.
3. Start small.  Five nights a week out with high hopes of business development and networking and you’ll burn out.  Everyone gets busy and needs to hunker down with billable time or project deadlines.  The best relationship people know that being a consistent but authentic presence out and about is one of the ways to stay top of mind.  So pick one night a week or a Friday lunch to get to know someone new.  
4. Find a wingman or wingwoman.  I first learned of this concept through a New York Times article on dating.  A pair would scope out a “prospect or potential date” and send one of the other people over to ask questions and talk up the other person.  Brilliant.  Find a person to attend an event with you and they can do your promoting for you. It’s much better to have someone else say what you do and why you’re amazing than to toot your own horn. 
5. Be strategic.  Who do you want to meet?  Do your homework.  Sam Richter, author of Take The Cold Out Of Cold Calling, has a toolbar where you can research people and companies in great detail using the “invisible web.”  Before an event, research people and study the guest list if possible.  You will make the most of your time and the people you meet will be impressed by your thorough knowledge.

 These are just a few of the ways to build strong relationships in today’s virtual world of connections.  I recommend a combination of virtual connections and face to face to cement what you want most, a lifelong network to champion your work and serve as your best business development tool.

Cathy Paper is a guest presenter at the May 19 NW2 Mastermind Group   

  RockPaperStar acts as a growth catalyst for authors and small businesses. Current clients include Harvey Mackay, #1 New York Times Best Selling Author of Swim With The Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive, Virtual Officenters, MorseKode and Fruitshare. As one customer said, “We are thrilled with the results of our business consulting work with Cathy Paper of Rock Paper Star. She helped us come up with new revenue sources and ideas based on our business planning and strengths work.  She provides a fresh, fun and enlightening perspective to our business planning. We imagine calling on her again and again.” Char Mason- Coleman Mason Events

Ten things teens have done to save money at college- Part one

Ten things that other teens have done to add to the dollars needed to survive away from home:

 1)      Since my senior year in high school, I have asked everyone in my family for gift cards ONLY ( no gifts or trinkets) to help with living expenses. What a bounty– I got cards to Target, coffee shops, restaurants.I felt like I was getting the stuff for free every time I used them.  TIP: Make a copy of the back of the card–then if you lose it, the company will refund it if you know the code on the back. Jannine

2)      I made a list of the stuff I wanted in my dorm and asked if anyone had those things that they wanted to donate to my college cause. It paid off, my cousin gave me a mini-fridge and my sister gave me a microwave from her dorm room, and I got a lamp from a friend. -Katy

3)      I looked up the college chat boards and asked all the questions I wanted to know about where to get books at the cheapest rate and where to buy groceries and I was a pro right from the first day. -Marcia

4)      I had friends and we opted to live OFF campus and rent a house with 6 people. We were all good friends and we all planned to cook and we made a BIG game plan before we even left our homes. It took us a year of planning but it made our food and housing budget go down to about $400 a month.  -Kristi

5)      Buy a small food plan at college, you will never use the full time food plan. –LaSonja