Enjoying a Fun Filled Holiday -- Without Going into Debt

If each December you promise not to over-stress or go crazy with holiday spending, yet things never seem to go as planned -- this article is for you. Staying on budget without losing your mind is possible, but it requires a bit of planning.

Getting organized is the easiest way to reign in spending and still enjoy the holidays. By mapping out the festive season (and doing so early on), you set yourself up for a stress free and economical closeout to the year. Prioritize. Break tasks down into manageable chunks. Target weekly goals and tick items off your list, as you go. By investing a little bit of effort upfront, you’ll save time, money and a great deal of unnecessary aggro.

February through December:

• Pick up ideal and/or silly price gift items, as you see them. These will be great for holidays, birthdays and much more.


• For bargains, shop at discount stores, big box retailers, warehouse or seasonal sales, outlet malls, craft fairs, flea markets, second hand shops, etc.

October:

• For holiday travel, get transportation, accommodations and activities booked early; Otherwise, prepare to be flexible with dates and arrangements.


• Align family celebrations well in advance, to avoid disappointment.


• Hosting a holiday party? Send ‘save-the-date’ notifications so your invite doesn’t arrive too late to be accepted.


• If you exchange wish lists, request (and create) them promptly. This allows time for the purchaser to compare prices and easily locate items.

November:

• Send or RSVP to holiday invitations, and mark them in your calendar.


• Identify volunteer activities in which you’d like participate. Budget sufficient time for them, in your schedule.


• Plan for ‘can’t miss’ holiday events i.e. School Recital, Office Party, Santa Claus Parade, Nutcracker Ballet, etc.


• Pick up parcel items and post international packages first.


• To reduce holiday spending and free up time, draw names for gift exchanges, set spending limits, or agree to gift embargos (where appropriate).


• Leave ego out of it. Don’t spend more than you can afford just to impress.


• Eliminate unnecessary or unappreciated gifts and donate to charity instead.


• Perform a gift inventory and shop to fill gaps. Some items are impossible to find on sale i.e. gift cards -- and malls are far saner in November.


• Choose your 2012 holiday décor theme (if different from last year).


• Shop for entertainment non-perishables early. This may include alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, party plates, napkins and cutlery, candy, crackers and nuts.


• Buy more cards than you’ll need, along with sufficient postage. Write and mail cards and keep the remainder handy for anyone that you may have missed.


• Purchase gift bags and coloured tissue at the dollar store. They’re a fraction of the regular price and can be re-used, year after year.


• Hang outdoor lights while the weather’s still relatively mild.


• Bake your socks off and freeze what you can. It’s extremely satisfying to pull out home-baked goodies for any occasion, even at the last minute!

December:

• Cook/bake edibles that can’t be frozen or perish quickly, and purchase remaining seasonal treats for parties or entertaining.


• Erect and decorate the Christmas tree. This can be a time-honoured family tradition, a relaxing solo pursuit, or fun social affair with friends.


• Wrap gifts. Again, gift bags and tissue render this a far less onerous task.


• Play your favourite Christmas carols while you work, to get you into the holiday spirit.


• Enjoy the festivities and savour the magic of the season!

January:

• Keep the holidays feeling ‘special’ by dismantling Christmas trees, holiday lights and decorations promptly. Raggedy icicle lights don’t add curb appeal in mid-March!


• Store your holiday decorations carefully, so you can enjoy them in coming years. Plastic drawer bins provide both good protection and easy access.


• Shop Boxing week sales for deep discounts on next year’s cards, decorations, etc.

If you feel you’ve already fallen behind, don’t worry -- there’s still time to catch up. Many steps don’t apply in all cases. Start with October tasks and compress the roadmap to suit your particular needs. You’ll enjoy the 2012 holiday season like never before…and stay on budget. Season’s greetings to all!

* Please note that this roadmap is designed with Christmas in mind, but many elements could be employed for Chanukah, Kwanza, or other seasonal celebrations.

Creating a Reusable Halloween Wardrobe

Halloween is one of my favourite holidays for many reasons -- mostly because you can celebrate with as little (or as much) fuss, as you please. However if you do decide to go all out any particular year, it can get quite expensive. That’s why assembling your own permanent costume stash or tickle trunk, makes so much sense.

If you think owning a dress-up box is just for kids and kinks, then think again. Putting together your own fancy-dress collection makes more sense than you might imagine -- and amassing a costume wardrobe can be fun and relatively cheap, if you incorporate the following tricks.

Everything Old is New Again:

• Most costumes can be recycled, but it’s surprising how many get trashed after just one wear. Be smart and store this year’s costume/s for future use.
• Tired of wearing the same ol’ get-up, year after year? Exchange tired ensembles amongst family and friends, to get more mileage out of them.
• Put together new looks by re-imagining costume components. Create a magician, an equestrian or a jazz dancer, all with the same black top hat.

The Upside of Fashion Faux Pas:

• Ever asked yourself “What the heck was I thinking?” during a closet cull. Fashion mistakes provide great costume inspiration.
• Those black leather pants become too racy for primetime? Halloween’s perfect for pushing fashion boundaries and unleashing your alter ego (somewhat).
• Head to your nearest Sally Ann for cheap and outrageous attire. A quick visit will give you some terrific ideas and it’s a wonderful way to give back.

Details, Details, Details:

• Don’t forget to collect old accessories too. Shoes, belts, hats, jewellery, sunglasses, tights, ties, scarves, etc. are all incredibly important when completing a look.
• Throw in any silly toys you may have lying around the house. These bits and bobs serve as great costume props, with just a little imagination and vision.
• Augment your creations with items from your regular wardrobe. For instance, a flared skirt can quickly become a cape, with a few pins and ribbon.
• Visit dollar or big box stores to pick up finishing touches, at knock-down prices.

Kiss and Makeup:

• Sift through your cosmetic drawer for questionable choices from the past. Weird and flamboyant colours work best for fancy-dress.
• False eyelashes/nails, coloured/sparkle hairspray and wigs can all be used over and over, if stored carefully.
• Don’t keep perishable cosmetics for too long. Note that Mascaras and creams will expire before powders.

By collecting these items gradually and wisely, you can create your own permanent costume wardrobe. And you don’t have to wait until Halloween to break out the fun either; Costumes are perfect for theme parties, children’s events and they inject a bit of life into everyday celebrations. Why not host your next Indian meal, decked out in a sari, sandals and gold bangles? With your new tickle trunk, you’ll always have the right kit on hand -- and won’t have to spend a dime, to look the part.

For more clever and timely dollar-stretching ideas, please click the ‘follow’ button athttp://champagnelifebeerbudget.blogspot.ca/.

Designing and Burning Custom CDs

I love listening to music, especially while I drive. It lifts me up and sets my mood for the rest of the day. But as much as I treasure my iPod and radio, I just can’t let go of my good ol’ CDs. Perhaps it’s because my iPod requires a bit too much fuss at times (not very good when I’m driving)…or maybe it’s because CDs pump out better sound than the radio…whatever the case, I still love having my favourite tunes available on CD format.

I am fussy though. I want to hear my preferred selections and not someone else’s idea of a great playlist. Of course, I also want to compile these music lists on the cheap. As such, I figured out early on how to design and burn my own custom CDs. It’s pretty easy, once you know the drill.

Step 1: Create a Custom Playlist

• Group music together by genre, timeframe or specific taste i.e. Caribbean Tunes, Christmas Classics, Summer Hits or Love Songs.
• Include approximately 20-24 songs in each CD playlist. (CD capacity varies according to the length of each individual tune.)
• Arrange songs in the desired order (sort by Name, Album, Artist, etc.)
• Ensure the most critical tracks are at the top of the list, so they’ll definitely be included on your album.

Step 2: Burn CD

• Highlight or click on the playlist of your choosing.
• Insert a blank CD into the CD drive.
• Go to the ‘File’ drop down menu and click ‘Burn Playlist to Disc’.
• Follow prompts and remove when complete. (You’ll automatically be notified if/when you’ve reached CD capacity.)

Step 3: Design Album Cover

• Choose an appropriate photo or image for the album cover.
• Add special effects like increasing colour saturation, airbrushing, posterizing, adding contours or oil paint techniques.
• Name the album or dedicate your creation, by superimposing text over a portion of the image. Experiment with different fonts and colours.
• Cut and paste the song playlist (including artist details) into a text document. Insert this on the inner sleeve of the CD cover.
• Use permanent marker to label the CD disc, to avoid later mix ups.

Once you get the hang of creating your own CDs, you can start to customize CDs for others. They make very impressive and inexpensive gifts. You’re crafting something distinct and personalized, just for that person. Also, the final product will be something they’ll actually use and enjoy.

Please share your music and other money-saving ideas with the rest of the group, in the comments section below. Click ‘Follow’ on this page for further articles on how to live better, with less.

 

　

Building a Comprehensive (Yet Inexpensive) Music Library

Congratulations! You’ve finally downloaded all of your music into one central, accessible library. (If not, you’ll want to refer to my July blog for easy step-by-step-instructions.)

As expansive as your music library may be, you’ll inevitably want to add further material. You may be seduced by a catchy new song on the radio, or perhaps you yearn for more classic rock. Regardless of the impetus, when it comes to music -- you just can’t get enough. But how can you constantly upgrade your music collection, without breaking the bank, or the law? It’s simple really. Try these tips and you’ll have more music than you ever thought possible.

Surf’s Up Dude!

• Although some free music websites have gone the way of the dodo bird, there are still many that offer audio downloads at no charge. Just enter ‘free music downloads’ into your search engine and fill your boots!
• Similarly, there is a plethora of ‘apps’ (applications) that allow you to share audio files through your mobile devices. Again a quick search will provide you with more than enough options.
• iTunes offer free downloads in their weekly newsletter. Take advantage of them. It could turn you on to an interesting new artist.
• Concerned about the legalities? Relax. In Canada, it’s legal to download (or upload) music for personal use.

Share and Share Alike.

• Host a CD exchange party and invite all of your friends. Ditch old tracks that you’re tired of storing and acquire something fresh instead.
• Circulate CDs amongst your neighbourhood, at work, or within community groups. It’s also a terrific way to get reliable music referrals.
• Be sure to loan your CDs to trustworthy custodians and agree to split loss or damage expenses, upfront.
• Again in Canada, as long as CDs aren’t purchased primarily for distribution, it’s perfectly legal.

Libraries Aren’t Just for Geeks.

• These days libraries offer far more than hardcover books; Sign out DVDs, eBooks, magazines, CDs and much more. In fact, you can borrow up to 50 CDs for 3 weeks at a time, in some municipalities. Imagine the possibilities!
• Many communities have several library branches. Each location offers a unique collection of material, so be sure to exercise all of your options.
• Got something specific in mind? Search the library website and put the item on hold. Many communities allow up to 60 holds at a time. The library will call or email you when the CDs (or other items) arrive at your local branch.
• Libraries are my favourite resource because they provide such a large selection. You can source recent releases, revered classics and obscure preferences en masse -- all with very little effort and at no cost whatsoever.

Step 4: Don’t Forget to Support your Favourite Artists.

• No matter how much we all love free stuff, it’s important to support the music industry by continuing to purchase music. CD and download sales are especially important for struggling artists and emerging bands.
• Additionally, by attending concerts and buying promotional materials, we ensure our favourite musicians can afford to keep pumping out new and exciting material.
• Know that in Canada, musicians also get a (small) royalty from the sale of blank CDs. This arrangement was put in place to help offset the recent music sharing trend.

That brings us to the our next instalment. In September’s release I’ll provide instructions on how to burn and design your own custom CDs.
Please follow http://champagnelifebeerbudget.blogspot.ca/ for regular articles on how to get more out of life, without spending a great deal of money. As always, I’d love to hear your feedback on this and other money saving ideas!

Creating a Music Library that Rocks!

Living well on a budget is not just about earning and saving money; It’s also about getting the most out of what you already own.

 

Great music can bring us to tears, or make us tingle with joy. Many of us have loads of CDs and/or reams of downloaded songs, but we tend to use just a fraction. Who has time to sift through it all, every time you’re in the mood for a certain tune? This article explores how to organize your music library so you have easier access to whatever you want to listen to, whenever you want to hear it.

 

Remember way back, when you used to make mixed tapes from your records, CDs, or the radio? Electronic music libraries allow us to select our favourite music and reorganize it in the very same way -- but in a far more efficient manner. The price of admission is a portable media player, with brand name models starting at just $50.

 

Step 1: Download your Music Library Software.

• Plug your hardware (iPod or MP3 player) into your computer’s USB slot using the accompanying cord.
• Follow the automatic prompts to download the software (iTunes or alike).
• Select ‘desktop shortcut’ so you can easily locate your music library, afterwards.

Step 2: Create ‘Smart Playlists’. 

The beauty of ‘Smart Playlists’ is that they automatically organize your music for you.

Go to the ‘File’ drop down list and choose ‘New Smart Playlist’.

• Choose whatever parameters you desire.
• Sort by ‘Genre’, ‘contains’ and ‘Blues’, to create a ‘Blues’ and ‘Rhythm and Blues’ group.
• Choose ‘Year’ ‘in the range’ ‘1970’ to ‘1979’ for a 1970’s music list.
• A Blues song recorded in 1975 will appear in both ‘Smart Playlists’, simultaneously.
• Tick the ‘Live updating’ box so that all the music you’ve already downloaded (as well as future downloads) automatically migrate to the appropriate groups.
• Over-ride manufacturer designated categories by right clicking on the song. Go to ‘Get Info’, and click on the ‘Info‘ tab.
• If your ‘Best of the 50’s’ album was issued in 1983, you may want to change the ‘Year’ to 1955, so it aligns with the rest of your 1950’s music.
• Lady Gaga belongs to the ‘Pop’ ‘Genre’, but Mel Tormé? I’d rather his music be grouped with my ‘Traditional’ music, so I re-assigned the ‘Genre’.

Step 3: Load your CD Library.

• If this is a huge chore you’ll never get round to, stack your CDs by the computer and regularly download them, as you work away on something else.
• The pop-up windows will prompt you as you go and your ‘Smart Playlists’ will automatically sort everything into the appropriate categories.
• When transferring CDs with skips, click ‘Import Settings’ at the bottom right of your screen and check ‘Use error correction when reading Audio CDs’. It’s a slower process, but your computer won’t get hung up downloading your well-loved albums.
• To download pristine CDs at high speed, uncheck this box.

Step 4: Create ‘Playlists’.

• ‘Playlists’ are a perfect way to group your favourites together in manageable chunks, or assemble your own albums.
• Go to ‘File’ and choose ‘New Playlist’. ‘Playlists’ let you select specific songs to create custom groupings e.g. Celtic Music or Romantic Songs.
• Be aware that ‘Playlists’ are manual groupings, so they take time and are more labour intensive than ‘Smart Playlists’.

Step 5: Enjoy!
You should be able to easily locate whatever music you’re after, in mere seconds.

• Having an 80’s party? Go to your ‘1980’s Smart Playlist’ to easily access your favourite Culture Club, ZZ Top and Style Council tunes.
• Hosting friends for a special dinner? Go to your ‘Jazz’ ‘Smart Playlist’ to locate classics from Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong and Miles Davis.

Creating your own custom Playlists will be a breeze now that you don‘t need to sort through an overwhelming jumble of tunes, to find exactly what you’re after. As with most technology, there’s so much more that you can do with it, but this will help you get underway.

 

Feel free to post your music library questions, or share your personal tips with the group, below. Please follow http://champagnelifebeerbudget.blogspot.ca/ for future articles on [legally] attaining free music and burning custom CDs.

Making the Most of your Yard Sale:

Yard sales are a great way to sell off your lesser bits and bobs that are neither auction material, nor worth your efforts posting online.

Many of us have hosted a yard sale at one time or another. Ergo, we understand the basics; But the real trick is to minimize the aggro, whilst maximizing profits. With a bit of forethought and planning, yard sales can be truly rewarding ventures. Not only can you purge the last of your household junk, but you give it a new life - and earn some extra cash in the process.

Step 1: Plan Well

• Schedule one big yard sale, every few years. During that period you’ll accumulate enough junk to make your efforts worthwhile, without making it too monstrous a task to contemplate.
• Pick a date that spells success. Saturdays are best because Sunday can be your ‘rain day’. Choose a time of year where good weather is likely and avoid holiday weekends, when people are often out of town.
• Invite neighbours, friends and family to join in. Announce the date well in advance, so everyone has a chance to participate. Street sales tend to attract additional punters and it’s more enjoyable if it’s a community affair.

Step 2: Get Organized

• Designate a specific area of your home for yard sale items. Large plastic bins are ideal repositories, assuming you have room.
• Avoid future headaches by pricing each of your items individually, before storing.
• Price cluster tables can prove more efficient ($1 tables, $2 tables, etc.); But be prepared for your items to ‘move about’ throughout the sale.
• Go through your home room-by-room and do a cull. Scrutinize things with a critical eye and get rid of anything you don’t use regularly, or love.

Step 3: Advertise and Promote Widely

• Take advantage of every promotional opportunity available. Post colourful flyers in your neighbourhood. List your sale on Kijiji and Craigslist, and leverage social media tools. Set up posters at nearby intersections. Leave no stone unturned.
• If it makes financial sense, consider paid notices in local newspapers or on the radio.
• Be precise about your start and finish times, and stick to the schedule. People will arrive early to get first crack at your best stuff, and show up late to score bargains.
• List product categories to garner interest and set expectations. Promote specifics to attract the right buyers.
• Remind shoppers to bring along recycling bags to carry their purchases home.
• If you’re donating a portion of the proceeds to your favourite charity, note it. It’s not only a wonderful idea, it’s great PR (Public Relations)!

Step 4: Enjoy the Day

• Set up tables to display your items. It’s much easier to shop for items when they’re easy to see and within reach.
• Organize your wares in a way that makes sense; Group ‘like’ items together, or arrange products by price.
• Have cash on hand and guard it carefully. Make sure you have lots of small bills and coins to make change.
• If you’re selling electrical products, have an extension cord handy to demonstrate functionality.
• Negotiating makes good sense, as the day wears on. Sweeten the pot by offering volume discounts and throw-ins. Politely but firmly decline silly offers.
• It’s important to maintain your cool, when confronted with challenging customers. Keep it friendly and don’t let anyone stress you out.

Step 5: Don’t Mourn the Loss

• It’s hard to understand why some things sell and others do not. Don’t waste your time lamenting what didn‘t sell. Focus on the stuff that did.
• At the end of the day, take your leftovers to a charity shop. You’ll find it much easier to part with it, now that you’ve mentally disassociated yourself.
• Savour the feeling of emancipation - and keep it top of mind when accumulating more ‘stuff‘, in future.

We streamlined our day-to-day life by losing the clutter, and that’s extremely liberating. We also made some new friends, helped the needy and earned a few dollars while we were at it - not bad for a day’s work!

Are you in the process of simplifying you life? Do you have any yard or street sale suggestions or tips? Please feel free to share your experiences and ideas with the group.

Click ‘follow’ on this page, if you’d like to continue to learn more about how to live better, with less.

　

Do you have Anything Worth Selling at Auction?

If you’re like me, you love those television shows whereby unsuspecting punters are quoted stratospheric valuations for their dusty old family heirlooms - or better yet, their yard sale finds. Could you have any hidden gems lying around in your humble abode? If so, would you ever consider putting them under the hammer?

During our spring clear out, I spotted a few valuables in amongst all the junk. It occurred to me that rather than selling these items at a garage sale, or online, it might be more profitable to put them up for auction. Being an auction virgin I wasn’t sure what to expect, so we decided to test the waters with just a few items - those that had slowly evolved from ‘treasured keepsake‘, to that of ‘albatross’.

Step 1: Determine if your Item is Suitable for Auction.

• Does it possess intrinsic value (i.e. fine jewellery, quality watches, rare coins, signed ceramics or glass, bronze or ivory sculptures, original art, antique furniture, sports memorabilia, vintage collectibles or alike)?
• Do you no longer treasure these items, or worse, are they starting to become a burden? Are you incurring storage fees, or is the piece taking up too much room in your home?
• Will the market price possibly decrease in future? Will it likely get damaged or decay, through neglect? Is the item’s popularity currently on the decrease?

Step 2: Identify the Best Auction House to Sell your Piece.

• Research which auction houses sell, or specialize in, that particular genre.
• Review and consider fees, commission structures, taxes and extra charges (photography, insurance, etc.).
• Can you put a reserve bid on the item? (A reserve bid is the minimum amount you will accept for the item to sell.) Be aware that you may not be given the option.
• Will it be sold online, or at a live auction, and do you have a choice?
• Find out what happens if the piece doesn’t sell. Can you recover the item and will fees be charged, regardless?
• Understand the payment terms. Will you receive the proceeds immediately, or significantly later?

Step 3: Request a Formal Appraisal.

• Appraisals should be free. If there’s a charge involved, look elsewhere.
• If it’s not too difficult, arrange an appointment for a live appraisal. That ensures the greatest accuracy.
• If a live appraisal is not feasible, email several clear photos to facilitate a precise evaluation.
• Accompany your pictures with a brief description, elaborating on the item’s provenance, history and any other notable features.
• Prepare for disappointing news and receive it graciously. Family folklore has a way of gilding the lily and/or you might have unwittingly purchased a fake.
• Assuming the auction house is interested in taking on your item, you can now make an informed decision as to whether you’d like to put it up for auction.

Step 4: Attend the Auction.

• You’ll get a great deal more out of the experience by attending the event, and it’s all part of the fun!
• If they spot you in the crowd, they’ll be more likely to promote your item, when it goes up on the block.
• Sign up for a buyer’s paddle. It’s free and you may see other bargains or valuable finds worth taking advantage of.
• Never bid on your own lot. It may seem like a great way to drive up the price, but if you’re the winning bid, you won’t sell - and will incur all the fees.
• Whether elated or disappointed, do your best to control your emotions. There’ll be plenty of time to discuss the outcome privately, when the auction’s all over.

So how did we do? The good news is that both lots sold and we made several hundred dollars. The bad news is that they didn’t meet their respective appraisals. That being said, we’re still happy with the results. We got rid of some unwanted items - and now they will be treasured and cared for, for years to come. We also made more profit than if we’d sold them through other means. Putting anything under the hammer is similar to gambling. There may be several interested bidders there on the day, but perhaps not. The moral of the story is, don’t participate, if there’s any chance that you’ll sweat the loss.

Finally, our best takeaway was totally unexpected. I learned that although auctions are a good way to make a bit of extra money, they are an even better way to save a fortune. Now we know exactly where to go, the next time we want some authentic Georgian furniture at knockdown prices…or hand-woven Persian carpets for pennies on the dollar!

Perhaps you have some items you’d like to put up on the block? I encourage you to share your auction experiences, ideas and questions in the comments below, so that we can all benefit.

Please click ‘follow’ on this page, if you’d like to learn more about how to live better, with less.