As our United Way embarks on a deeper understanding of financial stability through a financial fitness effort, it occurs to me that there is no better time to exercise budgetary discipline than the holidays. This is the time of year when gift giving and guilt collide and the word "thrift" never enters the conversation.
As I reflect at Christmas about my family, I fondly remember my grandmother who had 40+ grandchildren and for many years provided some sort of gift for her grandchildren. Most often, she made hand-made or home-made items - knitted mittens, hats, scarves, cookies or candies and I was always amazed that she remembered everyone. Grandma Bell was definitely thrifty and frugal and learned that from raising 10 children with very limited resources. I admired and respected her for both raising her children and also working for 25 years in a leather factory where she stitched leather handbags, belts and other goods.
This year, I have vowed to spend "more time" with my family and offer coupons for services in lieu of multiple gifts. My husband and I established a holiday gift budget for the first time in our 6+ years of marriage and we have committed to making gifts and communicating our sentiments with those we care about in creative ways that don't cost much more than time!
Thriftiness is defined as: Needs are what you must have to live; wants are everything else you would like to have. Learning to be thrifty means saying yes to only some of your wants, so needs will get met.
This Christmas season celebrate and consider the many ways that you can express your feelings and thoughts without spending money that you don't have and racking up credit card debt.
My grandma passed away in 2002 but I will always remember her generosity of spirit and I'm finally learning at age 50 - her lesson of thriftiness! Thank you, Grandma!
For more information on the subject of Financial Fitness - visit United Way's website at www.unitedwayhelps.org
