Christmas Financial Budgeting

http://money.cnn.com/2014/12/24/news/economy/middle-class-christmas/index.html

I've read two excellent beginner's books on car maintenance and truly believe I should invest in Auto Maintenance classes. Beyond the Christmas draw, where everybody picks a name out in the family, at church group, or work, there's always potluck parties and do-it-yourself lawn mowing, gardening, interior house painting, car tune-ups, and oil changes.

Entertainment costs can be reduced by getting the kids all gathered up for bowling, arcade, ice skating and miniature golfing. It's not as glamorous, but why not throw a potluck, rock-climbing and swimming pool party at the recreational center for the children? There's also art studios, like Go Paint, or Golden Kiln, in Golden, Colorado for art pottery painting with the children.

People who are most loving to you will willingly try your potluck, slightly overcooked, stevia-sweetened, pumpkin pies, and bland attempts at "Mexican Turkey Mac 'N' Cheese Casseroles." Since my pumpkin pies cracked  on the top, I hid that by piling a bunch of low-fat whipped cream on top of it. Hosting movie night sleepovers and having french toast, pancakes or waffles, instead of extravagant holiday meals together is best for extended family members.

With spray cans of whipped cream, all sugar-free disasters can be fixed. Plus, it's cheaper to go to potlucks during the holidays. You can just bring in Pacific Ocean Market/Asian-American grocery store deli's roast, crackling-skinned pork, cut up by the butcher, if you want to avoid cooking. Switching to roast cornish game hens or a roast duck over fresh, baby kale salads instead of turkey and ham meals may be best for Christmas. For Thanksgiving, just buy a turkey breast, instead of the whole turkey and have it in a fresh salad form. It's healthier and more economical.

Simpler family activities could be to grill together, go fishing, hiking and picnic near a waterfall. Visiting pick-your-own farms throughout the year could yield homemade dessert pies as gifts from the extra freezer you purchase secondhand for freezing the fruits, and veggies. Truthfully, it's better to visit Big Lots, thrift stores, yard sales, consignment shops, and the dollar stores every four months. Once a year, try Payless Shoe Stores for kids' winter boots, or back-to-school shoes. Their friends should ideally love them for who they are, not what brands they wear anyhow.