Tag Archives | Holidays

Cash Back in Fashion

Despite proclamations that the recession is over, most people are planning to keep a tight rein on their wallets this holiday season.  And when they do pry their wallets open, fewer people will reach for their credit cards.  Those are among the findings of surveys by the National Retail Federation and USAA. Using cash instead […]

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Help With Your Gift List

A new Consumer Reports survey offers helpful tips on what holiday gifts to buy and what to avoid. Gift cards are a common choice, and they still head the list of items people want (tied this year with electronics). However, since 25 percent of last year’s gift card recipients still haven’t used the cards, the […]

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Christmas Sanity

December is right around the corner, and if you don’t plan ahead one of the most meaningful holidays could easily turn into one of the most stressful and costly times of year. Fortunately, lots of holiday-smart articles are filling the blogosphere these days, offering good reminders like the importance of setting and sticking to a […]

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No Holiday for Those Who Long to Labor

The three-day Labor Day weekend provided a much-needed respite for many people. But for many others, such as the 24 million people who are unemployed or underemployed, it may have been a painful reminder of their situation. An article on WalletPop encouraged those who are gainfully employed to reach out to those who are not […]

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Experiences Trump Possessions

What makes you happier–new stuff or enjoyable experiences?  CNN reported on new research showing that for most people enjoyable experiences generate more lasting happiness than new stuff. Two key reasons are that experiences tend to involve other people and they’re better than material objects at generating feelings of vitality or “being alive.” I couldn’t agree […]

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Romance In, Spending Down

A few more of us plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year (63% of all adults) than last year (61%). However, the economy is driving down how much we plan to spend. According to the National Retail Federation, those planning to celebrate this year say they will spend an average of $103 on their loved […]

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Gift Card Watch-Outs

Despite a raft of bad publicity, gift cards continue to be a popular choice among holiday shoppers. If you give or receive a gift card this year, Consumer Reports offers some helpful advice. For givers, the magazine suggests steering clear of retailers that are known to be struggling (it’s tough to redeem a card from […]

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Gifts That Last

When shopping for gifts this year remember that the least expensive items are not always the best deals. Be sure to also consider how long a gift may last. As we considered what to buy our kids this year we were mindful of all the broken toys that fill our toy bins. So, we’re giving […]

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Deals That Delight

One upside to a down economy is that lots of products are on deep discount before Christmas. But which deals will truly satisfy? According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, behavioral economists and psychologists have found that products that enrich your relationship with friends or family members rate the highest on the satisfaction scale. […]

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Giving THANKS

Isn’t it great that the holiday season begins with Thanksgiving? There’s something good for the soul about pausing long enough to take stock of all that we have to be thankful for. And while I’ve mentioned the following idea before, I think it’s worth repeating. One of the best ways to remember all that we […]

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