Emerson Publications

The Family First Newsletter
Promoting family unity one issue at a time
Vol. 10 Issue 47 - Week of December 10, 2007
ISSN: 1527-6201
©2007 - Joyce Pierce --All Rights Reserved

In this issue:

Know Your Limits and Retain Your Sanity This Holiday Season

Avoiding the Christmas Debt Nightmare

Cake in-a-Jar

Good morning!

When putting up the tree and decorations this year, I decided that instead of using everything I had packed away, I would choose the birth of Christ as my focus.  An interesting concept, don't you think, for celebrating Christmas?  I have several nativity scenes so I set them up around the living room, and I've got to say that I am really enjoying the difference it has made.   This year, except for the decorations on the tree, there are no Santas and no snowmen.   Not that I have anything against Santa or Frosty - I just decided to make a serious effort to put my attention on the birth of Christ.

I went to visit a friend last night and noticed that she had done the same thing.  There was a beautiful nativity scene on the piano and another one on a long table.  I commented on it and she explained that she just didn't have room in her new home to display everything she had.   I don't think it's any coincidence that many of us are finding our own ways to get back to the basics when the retailers are doing all they can to remove Christ from the season.

I love Christmas.  I love being with friends and family.  I love being at church and singing Christmas hymns. I love going to Christmas programs.  I love getting the annual letters from my friends all over the country.  I love the colors - the red, green, gold, and silver.  I love the candles.   I love reading about the birth of Christ in the New Testament.  I love being a Christian.  I also respect your right to believe as you choose.   We have Jewish family members and whether we say Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukkah, the well wishes are there.   Today I wish you a Merry Christmas and hope that you will translate that into whatever it is you are celebrating at this time of year.

***

In previous issues I suggested we send Christmas cards to Walter Reed Army Medical Center addressed to A Recovering American Soldier.  I read yesterday that Walter Reed is not accepting these cards and in fact, the U.S. Postal service won't even accept these letters or packages.  They will not be delivered.  

Instead of sending an "Any Wounded Soldier" letter or package to Walter Reed, please consider making a donation to one of the
more than 300 nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping our troops and their families listed on the "America Supports You"
website, www.americasupportsyou.mil

Other organizations that offer means of showing your support for our troops or assist wounded service members and their families include:

http://www.usocares.org/
http://www4.army.mil/ocpa/tooursoldiers/
http://www.redcross.org


Please share this newsletter with someone who may need to read it today!

Joyce Moseley Pierce

P.S.  Be sure to visit our sponsors! 

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Know Your Limits and Retain Your Sanity This Holiday Season
by Jill Frank

You know the look -- and it is coming straight for you. Someone is going to ask you to do something. Before this person can even get their request out, your mind is racing for a plausible excuse, never pausing to actually consider the truth. It could be as simple as purchasing a gift or as complex as coordinating the holiday program but you just can't take on one more task. And for some reason, that doesn't seem to be a good enough reason to say no.

As if you don't have enough on your to-do list, throw in the holidays and you can quickly become inundated. With shopping, decorating, parties and family get-togethers, how can you possibly complete everything on your to-do list while retaining your sanity? I have found over the years that the biggest cause of being overscheduled is our inability to say no. Whether it is out of guilt, a sense of obligation, or the desire to avoid hurt feelings, we say yes when we really shouldn't.

Are you a "yes" person? If you are you overwhelmed, overscheduled and frustrated, you probably are. If so, don't feel bad -- you're in good company - few of us have mastered this ability. But it's time to start because no one benefits when you take on more than you can handle -- especially you.

What are your limits? How much more can you handle over and above what is already on your plate? What can be put on hold to make time for your immediate priorities? Review your calendar for the month and make a note of any down time you have. If you are willing and able to fill it, schedule the most important activities that you can't or don't want to miss. Just make sure you don't become the dumping ground for someone else's unnecessary, undesirable responsibilities. It's better to do two or three things really well than ten things second-rate.

Before you say yes to anything new ask yourself the following questions:

* Is this something I really want to do? * Will this benefit me or my family? * Is this the best use of my time? * Will my career, my family or I be negatively affected if I say no? (Don't say yes just to make someone else happy) * Is it the right thing to do?

You don't have to feel guilty about saying no. It's not your responsibility to take up the slack for those around you. Say yes to what's important and let the rest go. And remember, there is a light at the end of the tunnel -- January is right around the corner. Your Assignment:

Stop being a YES person! Before taking on another responsibility or attending another party, ask yourself if it is truly something you want to do; will it benefit you or your family; is it the best use of your time; will it help advance your career; will you, your career, or your family be negatively affected if you say no; or is it the right thing to do? If the answer is yes, go ahead. If not, politely decline and move on.

Copyright © 2007. Jill Frank & Associates. All Rights Reserved.

Jill Frank is “The Promotion Coach” and mother of three. Are ready to be a mom that has it all – a great family life AND a successful career – with less stress and guilt? Start by getting her FREE checklist, “75 Ways to Take Better Care of Yourself” and FREE special report, Five Strategies that will Positively Impact Your Career” at www.leverageyourtalent.com/working_mothers.htm . Jill Frank may be contacted at http://www.leverageyourtalent.com or jill@jillfrankassoc.com

Avoiding the Christmas Debt Nightmare
by Jamell Baca

The holidays are a time to be merry... but unfortunately too much festive spirit can leave you with a debt hangover. It is easy to fall prey to the barrage of advertising and the competitive "Keeping up with the Jones" mentality when it comes to Christmas spending. Remember that the holiday season should be a time to focus on spending time with your friends and family, rather than running from store to store and worrying about the mountain of debt you are accumulating on your credit cards.

About one in five consumers will be coping with their Christmas debt well into the new year. Many forget that winter brings other expenses, like substantial gas and electricity bills. These start to arrive in New Year, just when you're faced with the credit cards bills from your holiday shopping.

If you are a single parent, unemployed, or a senior citizen you may qualify for tax credits or heating assistance grants that can lighten your financial burden in the winter months. Any chance to lower your expenses during this time of the year is worth exploring. Budgeting for these expenses ahead of time is crucial to avoid debt and late payments that can negatively affect your credit score.

By avoiding overspending during the holiday season, you can eliminate the high balances on your credit cards that have haunted you in the past. Here are my top tips for keeping your holiday spending under control:

Open a Christmas club savings account with your bank or a local credit union. This is a short-term savings account that you open in January which usually requires no minimum deposit. Make deposits throughout the year whenever you have a little spare cash then withdraw your money on November 1st . With planning, this account can be a powerful weapon against accumulating debt on your credit cards.

Create a shopping list and stick to it. Impulse spending is the fastest way to become overwhelmed with debt.

Start your shopping as early as possible. Keep your eye out for sales and good deals in the months leading up to Christmas. If you spread your expenditures for gifts over a few months, you won't end up putting everything on the credit card in December.

Don't overlook flea markets and resale shops as places to find unique but inexpensive gifts. Dollar stores are also a great place to save on wrapping paper, ribbon, bows, and decorations. You might also find good stocking stuffers for the kids such as puzzles, coloring books, and crayons.

Plan your holiday menu in advance to avoid throwing your money in the trash as wasted food.

Package homemade baked goods in decorative tins to give as gifts. Buy ingredients well in advance when they are on sale at the grocery store. Nuts, spices, and chocolate are usually the most expensive components in a recipe so be extra vigilant in watching for deals on these items. Most dry ingredients used in baking can be stored for months and even butter can stored in the freezer.

Be extra careful when using credit and cash advances. In the weeks leading up to Christmas consumers are flooded with credit card offers. Pay close attention to the fine print as interest rates and repayment terms can vary enormously from card to card. Store credit cards are usually your worse option as they often higher interest rates than ordinary credit cards. Interest-free balance transfers can be helpful as long as you will be able to pay off your balances during the grace period. Cash advances on credit cards are probably the most expensive form of borrowing as many credit card companies charge outrageous fees for these withdrawals.

In conclusion, control your spending and budget for purchases in advance. If you must put your purchases on a credit card, educate yourself on the best card to use beforehand.

Jamell Baca is a Certified Credit Consultant and founder of Helping Hands Credit Consulting. Her passion is to help her clients improve their credit, raise their scores and educate them on their legal options. For more tips on how to maintain good credit and stay debt free visit http://helpinghandscreditconsulting.com. Jamell Baca may be contacted at http://helpinghandscreditconsulting.com