Dashing Through The Dough

"Dashing through the dough..." It sounds a lot like a Christmas song doesn't it? 

As the weather turns cooler, our thoughts tend to naturally turn to the holidays.  As the economy continues to nose dive, everyone is worried about money or "dough" so to speak. 

My heart goes out to those  people who are spending too
much for Christmas gifts. Each of us have  a different level of "too much," but
all of us know when we have hit our own "too much." It comes with
that icky feeling in our stomach  when we are paying for something or
that half-hearted laugh when we admit that we are not looking forward
to new years  credit  card bills. It's OK to NOT spend too much. The
retailers, marketers, and advertisers do not agree , but your pocket
book and budget  will.

Remember:  NO friend or family member expects you to go into
debt to BUY them a present. 

 Far too often, people spend more money or "dough" than they can afford to spend. They will put it on their credit  card, that way it does not see like we are over spending.........until the bill arrives. Then it hits them....... "I spent way too much money".

What do you do?

How do you track your gift giving money?

Do you draw names with family and friends?

Do you set a price per person, per family or total amount to spend?

Do you pay cash or charge it?

Suggestion: Try singing the song "Jingle Bells" only sing it like this:

Dashing through the dough.....

It will keep your thoughts on saving instead of spending.

Personally, I would rather have a homemade gift than a  store bought one any day. How about you, do you like homemade gifts?