That’s right, the holidays are coming and chaos will surely ensue.  I’m not just talking about with your social schedule but also with your finances.  The holidays can wreak havoc on your finances if you aren’t careful and mindful with managing them so today I’m covering a few ways to manage your money during this time of year. 

Stick to A Budget

The key to manage your money without losing control is to stick to a budget.  This goes for gifts, food, event attendance, and even charitable donations.   You need to take a long hard look at what you can afford with your holiday expenses and then set a budget limit and stick to it.  It really helps if you put money aside all during the year so that by the time the holidays roll around, you have money set aside for everything.  

When it comes to gifts, it can be hard to limit yourself because we tend to get carried away with the spirit of giving and that’s why gifts of experience are better than purchased gifts.  You can take a relative somewhere for the day that has free or very cheap attendance rather than spend money on a physical gift for them. Make sure you set price limits for each person on your list and keep track of how much you’ve spent. 

Cut Costs When Possible

You may have to bring a dish to a holiday party but before you go spend money on expensive ingredients, look at what festive food you can throw together with what you already have.  And even though it’s convenient to buy dishes that are pre-made, it can be much more expensive because stores know that you’re desperate to get something. Don’t forget, a lot of parties also ask for someone to bring the disposable plates and dinnerware.  You can get that stuff for very cheap at discount stores or by buying the store brand, so that’s always an option for your contribution as well. 

Re-Gifting Saves

Do not be ashamed of re-gifting something you’ve never used or hardly ever used.  We tend to accumulate so much “stuff” much of which we don’t even want or need. Instead of throwing it out or letting it take up room in your home, consider donating it or putting it in a gifting box that you can “shop” throughout the year when events come up that you need a gift for.  There are plenty of things that are great re-gift items like candles, scarves, books, etc. Be as savvy as you can when it comes to saving money on gifts. 

Keep Saving

Saving money year round is very important but unfortunately we get so caught up with the holidays we stop worrying about saving money until next year.  It’s important to keep up the habit of saving money even if it’s just $5 here and there. Setting your bank account up to automatically deposit money in your savings every payday is a great idea, especially around the holidays! 

And remember, a firm like White Mountain Partners can help you manage your money ALL year round! 

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W hen To Throw A Dinner Party And How To Make It Special

A dinner party is often a great choice for many occasions. They can be very flexible as a dinner party can be as formal or as informal as you wish it to be. The beauty of it is that it is your decision on how the dinner party goes. You may sit everyone down and have a set meal plan. Or you may like to serve up food in big dishes and let everyone dig in.

The great thing about a dinner party is that you get to choose the menu you serve, and the drinks everyone devours. With plenty of inspiration on the internet from websites like Pinterest or taking full advantage of a wine membership that you have, it can make all the difference to your event. You can’t go wrong when making informed decisions. With that in mind, here are some of the obvious and not so obvious occasions where a dinner party will be the perfect way to celebrate.




Image source - Pixabay - CC0 License

A special birthday

Some of us may not want to celebrate our birthdays with a big party and be the centre of attention. Which is why a dinner party is an excellent alternative. It allows the setting to be much more informal without the need for the big gestures. Again the beauty of it is that it can be tailored to the individual, so if you still want a little limelight, then it is yours to take. You can also decorate the table and room setting with lots of birthday decorations.

To celebrate friendship

When was the last time you and your friends got together to celebrate your friendship? Probably a while ago. With daily routines and lives taking over it can be hard to get a date booked in the diary with our friends. So this is where a dinner party can be a perfect choice. Find a date, get it booked in then spend the evening reminiscing over old memories, good food, and good wine.

The night before a wedding

Traditionally the night before the wedding was always spent on a hen and stag night. But the trend now is that people do these in advance, so the eve of your wedding is often free. So why not mark the occasion with close friends and family and have an informal dinner party? It would be a great way to iron out last minute details and get excited about the impending big day.

New Year's Eve

If you have a family then long gone are the days where you went clubbing to celebrate the new year in, or it may not be as often anymore. So why not mark the occasion with other friends and have a big dinner party? You could invite friends who also have children and make a whole night of it. The kids can fall asleep and are safe, and you can celebrate as you were out, but in the comfort of your own home. Win win.

Other occasions to think about would be Halloween, as it can be a great themed dinner party and let’s not forget the Christmas period. Which offers a whole host of reasons to get together with loved ones. Let’s hope this has inspired you to consider a dinner party for some other occasions.

My 2019 Fall Decor Home Tour

Fall is my favorite time of year, mostly because I think the decor is so natural and beautiful.  Come see how I decorated my home for Fall this year! 

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Recognizing Health Problems Early

https://unsplash.com/photos/78hTqvjYMS4

For most of us, there’s little you can do about getting older. Every day, you’ll feel a bit more tired, every day, you’ll spend more time making sure the neighborhood kids are staying well off your lawn. Getting older can be scary. You feel like your whole life is slowly fading away, and suddenly you don’t feel so young anymore.

There’s also the issue of your health. If you’ve spent time with parents and other relatives you’ve seen how health can so quickly decline once you reach a certain age. You never think it’s going to happen to you until it does, and while you can’t halt ageing, you can recognize potential issues before they become problems.

Hearing Loss

Out of all potential health issues associated with growing old, hearing loss is perhaps the most common. You’ve seen endless sitcoms where an elderly relative mishearing things is the joke, and you’ve probably needed to repeat yourself to your grandmother a few times, too.

Hearing loss comes in several forms and doesn’t always affect both ears at the same time. You might find it difficult to listen to the TV or the damage could come from listening to music too loud or working on noisy building sites. If you find yourself or someone you know seems to be struggling with hearing loss, learn more about what to do to ease it and make life more manageable for everybody.

Aching Bones

It doesn’t matter how much milk you drank as a child, your bones will eventually start to turn on you and bring creaking aches with every step. These issues come from years of being on the move, and the ligaments and cartilage have worn away over time.

While exercise could be considered the problem, it’s also a solution as long as you take it easier than usual. Simple weight training and flexibility exercises are useful for keeping the bones and muscles in shape and strengthens them against the pains of ageing. You don’t need to hit the gym every day, but staying active prevents your bones from breaking down so quickly.

Misplaced Thoughts

While physical problems are always associated with growing older, there are also mental conditions you need to look out for. One of the most common in society is dementia and Alzheimer’s, which are degenerative diseases that affect the brain.

The process is slow, and often it’s not you that is the first to notice. Instead, it’s those around you who may recognize you’re not as tuned-in as you always have been. However, it doesn’t need to be the end of the world and getting the right exercise and mental engagement can help stave off such diseases to keep you mentally at your best, even if your knees hurt too much.

When Your Sixty-Four

Sure, sixty-four isn’t all that old any longer, but once you hit a certain age, you’ll start seeing things decline a little quicker than you expected. However, as long as you stay aware of your health and take care of your body, you’ll not have to worry about too much so you can enjoy your golden years and do everything you’ve always wanted to




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How I Prioritize My Self Care + Why You Should Do The Same

Self care is a term that most people throw around here and there but it's not taken as seriously as it should be.  Some people view self care as selfish because they are putting themselves in front of others.... but don't we owe it to ourselves to do that? 

My mom had a book when I was growing up called How Full Is Your Bucket?  The whole point of it was to explain that you can spend all your time pouring what's in your bucket, to other people's buckets that are empty...but if you don't have anything in your own.... you won't be able to pour it out for others.  You need to fill your own bucket first.  

So I can sit here and give you a million tips on what you SHOULD be doing...or I can just show you what I've been doing in the hopes that it will influence and motivate you to better take care of yourself. 

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