A home for the holidays budget

  • A home for the holidays budget
    A home for the holidays budget
  • A home for the holidays budget
    A home for the holidays budget

Hope For Marshall County’s Food Pantry hosted one of the last big toy drive events of the season December 3 in Madill with fun characters and Santa and Mrs Claus. Director Gwen Wilson said there are still ways to donate such as PayPal:hfmcpantry@yahoo.com, credit or debit cards by phone at 570-677-0429, direct deposit at First United Bank using account HFMC FOOD PANTRY INC or mail to HFMC 19123 Elizabeth Blvd, Madill, OK 73446. Marshall County families in need this Christmas depend on services like Wilson’s. Gwen said “Whatever you do, please consider helping because without YOU kids could wake up to an empty tree Christmas morning!” Courtesy photo Courtesy photo

With inflation on the rise the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the inflation rate in America reached 7.7% over the past twelvemonths-thehighestin forty years. With Americans paying more for food, housing andgasin2022someconsumers are left with a shorter budget this holiday season. Survivingonaholidaybudget doesn’t have to be as bad as it sounds as the do-it-yourself trendhasgainednewtraction as the economy looms.

Create a spending plan and stick to it. Prioritize those Christmas purchases by focusing on what is important. Make a list of expenses and determine how much of the holiday budget is allotted for each item. During the holidays generosity usually overflows and the same can be said with gift giving. Being too generous especially during the holidays can blow a budget. Stay on top of the spending this year by avoiding shopping sprees and impulse purchases. Sometimes those doorbuster sales aren’t really doorbusters at all. Keep money in that wallet this season by taking control of spending habits and focus on necessities this season.

Try to scale down the traditional festive feast for more money in those wallets thisholidayseason.Asmaller menu with finger foods and appetizers can be a time saver and might be proven more affordable. Potlucks for holiday get-togethers and parties are a great way to split the cost. Be sure and plan a menu to get a head start on those make-ahead meals and Christmas cookies and pies freeze well for easier on the go cooking.

There are plenty of ways to be a part of the festivities during the holidays that don't cost a thing. Volunteering with local charities can fill your time and the hearts of people this season in a different way than going broke. Find the local events in the area and enjoy the sponsored festivities. Try spending time within the nursing homes, volunteer at toy drives or food banks. The smallest action can make a big difference especially in rural communities where other services are not as accessible as they are in bigger cities.

Being in a home surrounded by the ones you love is free every day of the year. Christmas doesn’t have to be stressful; it doesn’t have to break the bank either. Stick to the priorities and the budget so January isn't spent trying to get out of debt.