Monday Message

“You do not need to go into debt to obtain a year’s supply. Plan to build up your food supply just as you would a savings account. Save a little for storage each paycheck. Can or bottle fruit and vegetables from your gardens and orchards. Learn how to preserve food through drying and possibly freezing. Make your storage a part of your budget. Store seeds and have sufficient tools on hand to do the job. If you are saving and planning for a second car or a television set or some item which merely adds to your comfort or pleasure, you may need to change your priorities. We urge you to do this prayerfully and do it now. I speak with a feeling of great urgency.” ~CR October 1980, Ensign 10 [November 1980]

Remember to stay within your budget. I know it is very hard but stay on target.

http://momsoffaith.com/2013/11/101-frugal-christmas-tips/ this has some very great ideas. Great tips.

http://www.frugal-living-tips.com/frugal-christmas.html - this is two pages, you need to click on the second page button but good ideas as well.

http://www.frugality-for-today.com/christmas.html - this has great ideas too.

I guess you can see a theme going on here frugal, frugal, frugal!!!

It is hard to change things if you have always done things a certain way. It is hard to change but if you make it fun and show excitement it is contagious. So don’t say bummer, we are going to have a bad Christmas this year…everyone will feel awful… instead, excitedly say that you are going to do something different this year. Have a homespun Christmas and say you are going to have sooooo much fun, that you are going to make gifts and you are going to keep what you make a huge secret till Christmas. Make popcorn balls and you can fill in anything to come up with but you can set the mood.  

I know when you have older kids it would be easier to talk to them about it being a harder time and have a jam session where they throw out ideas too.

https://bandanguitartphcm.net/frugal/frugal-christmas-gift-ideas.html - I like the santa-tizer, too cute. There are tons of great ideas off to the right on this page.

http://www.stretcher.com/stories/961118a.cfm - great ideas

http://www.stretcher.com/library/christmas/menu/christmas.cfm I think there are so many ideas.

https://fluxdecor.com/diy-christmas-ornaments/ - this would be great family fun making. My favorite is the hot cocoa mix bulbs.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/AZcI5KB8wWcgf-esRVEExkvQjVqzSieNN-Nv0Pcl2DoNdD0g9Y7IoAU/ - okay, so this would be great for your used canning lids that won’t vacuum seal, isn’t it cute?

http://puddyshouse.com/2012/11/26/diy-christmas-decorations/ I love the gingerbread man ornament.

Remember to do kind acts all year long.

I know you are all having busy times so I shortened it so you can get back to work.