It’s hard not to want to spend all you can on friends and family. And when you go over your list of all the people you want or need to give gifts to it can feel like more of the season of spending a lot of money than giving.

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But there is a way to be Santa’s little helper without spending an arm and a leg. For the sake of the rest of the year, here are a few ways to stick to a budget and not overspend during the holidays.

Be aware of the retail tricks

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If it seems like a deal that’s too good to be true, it most likely is.

A lot of stores will try to fool you with sales, money back offers, and incentives to come back and shop but be aware that those are big ways they get you to spend money that you don’t necessarily need to spend.

Stick to your budget at all costs

9 Expert Tips to Avoid Overspending During the Holidays

Early on try to make time to create a budget and make sure that you account for all that you need to spend. Then when the time comes to buy your presents stick to that budget like glue.

Don’t allow yourself to make exceptions and you will find that you will spend the amount you allotted and nothing else.

Don’t buy for yourself

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When you are out looking around for presents for everyone else it can be pretty tempting to buy a thing or two for yourself as well.

But as tempting as it may be, resist picking up things for yourself because it will add up really quickly. If it helps you can buy online or pick out the things you want and trust that your loved ones will get those things for you.

Use cash

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One great way to stick to a budget is to withdraw the amount of your budget in cash beforehand, that way when you run out of money you know it’s time to stop the spending.

Resist the urge to open credit cards or overspend the money in your bank account so you don’t give creditor’s rights to start blowing up your phone and keep your money in the account where it should stay.

Assign gift duties

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As your family grows it can seem like the number of presents and therefore the amount you spend seems to grow as well.

In cases like this, you can do a draw for presents or a secret Santa that way everyone gets a present but you don’t have to overspend by worrying about getting each individual family member a present.

Something else you could do is split some of the more expensive gifts between a couple family members that way you are each contributing to the gift but also keeping costs low.

The post How to Not Overspend This Holiday Season appeared first on InstantELLA.

You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout and I’m telling you why, because it’s nearly Christmas time!

No matter if you are the type to put up the Christmas tree as soon as Halloween is over or if you are the day after thanksgiving type, who doesn’t love Christmas and decorating for the holiday?

There is something so heartwarming about seeing all the lights, ribbons, wreaths and ornaments, but it can also be a little intimidating to know where to start.

If all you wanted to do is spread Christmas cheer but you need some ideas, here are a few to help you out.

Here are seven easy but really cute Christmas decoration ideas to help your home scream, “Merry Christmas to all!”

Mason jar elves and reindeer

Elf Christmas Mason Jar Gifts

Mason jars are great for so many things, including creating really cute Christmas decorations.

The best part is these jars can be totally customizable, but also you can put little treats inside and give them as gifts for your neighbors and friends.

A DIY Wreath

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For these decorations that you can never have too many of in or outside of the house, all you have to do is go to any craft store or even dollar store and get a plain wreath, and then just pick out all the flowers, ribbons, and lights you want to decorate it with!

You can even keep it simple and classic and buy some spray snow, spray it on a green wreath and tie a red ribbon on the top and there you have it! A super cute and festive wreath for less than five bucks.

Lighted garland with ribbons

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Something cute and unique, that is also pretty easy to make, is using a couple strings of lights and some ribbon to make a lighted garland.

You can choose the colors and type of material you want to use, and then all you have to do is tie them all along the string of lights, then hang wherever you like!

Make sure to get plenty of extension cords and check that your electrical system is up to date, and order any parts you need from websites like www.electricalwholesale.com.

Pipe-cleaner snow-flakes or snowmen

Pipe-Cleaner Snowflake Ornaments Project

Simple and cost-friendly, you can involve the kids in making these adorable ornaments to hang on the tree.

Ornaments made from cookie cutters

Cookie Cutter Ornaments Project

Cookie cutters come in all shapes and sizes, and all you need are some pictures or pretty colored paper to glue behind them to turn them into beautiful ornaments.

These can also double as a cute gift that your kids can put together for Grandma and Grandpa or whoever else is on their gift list.

DIY Snow-globes

DIY Snow Globe | Sea Lemon

Another decoration idea that uses ever useful mason jars, there are so many Pinterest posts to follow on how to make these fun little snow globes and place them all over your house just in time for Christmas.

Easy paper plate Santa

PAPER PLATE SANTA CLAUS

This is a Christmas craft the kids are sure to love and have them feeling the Christmas spirit.

All you need are some paper plates, scissors, red paint, glue, and some black constriction paper!

The post 7 Easy but Oh so Cute Christmas Decoration Ideas appeared first on InstantELLA.

It used to be that big department stores and other industrial corporations were the greatest demand of communities. The convenience of having large quantities of items available in one location was a major draw, but more and more we’re being urged to shop local, and here are 5 reasons you should do it, too.

Do it to Support Your Friends and Neighbors

Keeping Your Small Business in Business

Local businesses and farms are run by the people you know living down the street. Imagine how much you could do to further your dreams and ambitions with their support; why not do the same for them?

Supporting your friends and neighbors in their livelihood also helps to improve the relationships you have and the quality of life in your little community.

Do it to Create a Strong Community Economy

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When you buy and sell within your own community, those funds circulate in the local economy which means they stick around and continue to sustain the businesses and organizations you see and use every day.

Spend your hard-earned money in local shops where sales tax will go toward your city’s growth and maintenance rather than one a couple states over. It will benefit your family through public school and community programs, too.

Do it Because it’s Better for the Environment

How To Be More Environmentally Conscious

The great thing about your locally created and manufactured goods through small businesses is they don’t rely on factories that add to pollution. They also make use of environmentally-friendly materials like NuPlastiQ for bags and packaging if they don’t forgo them completely.

In fact, the packaging itself is often its own cute bonus to take home. It tends to be durable, too so you can reuse it then recycle or upcycle it when the time comes.

Do it Because it’s Healthier for You

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With so many concerns about groceries that are too processed, too preserved, too genetically-modified, and too exposed to pesticides, can you really trust food from unknown parts of the country in your own body?

When you shop local, you can trust farmers to sell healthy produce that’s better than what you would find in a large supermarket. You know where it comes from because you pass the fields almost every day and you know whether it’s organic or non-GMO because you know the crew that cultivated it.

Do it Because You’ll Get More Unique Products

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Maybe you thought the Super Walmart on the outskirts of town was supposed to have more variety to choose from, but the truth is, when you walk into a department store, you already know what you’ll find inside.

We all value our individuality, so why would we buy the same products our neighbor does? Local businesses offer unique products just for you. They can often surprise you with something special that just says you and will even take on commissioned pieces. And to ice that cake? You’ll get a more personal customer experience because they care about everything they sell.

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