Peace

We were supposed to be taking this week off from the company but that didn't happen due to the large amount of clients we have right now.  I feel blessed that we don't have to worry about cash flow for the next 6 months but would have liked a little more down-time.  We cleaned the carpet in the bedroom and office, not because we are having company but because it needs to be done and this is the very best time to do it.  We share a carpet cleaner with Mom (wouldn't have worked on our area rug as too heavy and large to find somewhere to dry it) and it comes in so handy.  Yesterday I cleaned the bathrooms and today I will do a final vacuum/swipe down of the rest of the floors in the house.  Our fridge, freezer and cupboards are incredibly full - why do I feel like I have to have hoards of food in the house at Christmas?  Yes, we have 2 kids coming but they don't eat that much, even though they are adults now.


We made a decision this year to try and give more to charity - and it was accomplished this week as well as made our final 2 donations of the year.  Funny, we now make much lower wages (by choice in self-employment and having things paid off) than we did in in our previous working life and we give more. Anyway, the 2017 budget is being tweaked and there is even more money for charity next year than this, although we intend to give some each month instead of just in December.  We don't just give to one, ended up giving to 5 different organizations this year, some local and some not.

If you want to join in giving to charity and don't have the cash there are so many other ways to give.  Earlier this year we were able to give some hotel points to the Red Cross for the Fort McMurray fire relief.  We gave away our KLM points last year before they expired to another charity.  You can also give your time, something I hope to do in 2017.  For those who don't shop at thrift stores - the act of shopping there is giving your money to organizations that help others (make sure it is a not for profit one).  You can also donate goods to thrift stores.

I have decided that the grocery budget is too generous at $550 per month - it seems that I have become complacent and don't try as hard to get the best deal on our groceries.  It is being reduced to $525 a month starting in January and that $25 extra that will be saved has been added to the charity budget on top of the previous amount.

As family starts to fly in tomorrow it is unlikely I will post until 2017 next so from me, hubby and Buddy - I hope every one has a Merry Christmas (or have some happy down-time if you don't observe) and a Happy New Year!