Thursday, December 22, 2016

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!

14 comments:

  1. Merry Christmas from Ottawa. Hope you have a great holiday season!

    www.travelwithkevinandruth.com

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  2. I have my lot coming tomorrow too can't wait. Hope you have a lovely time merry Christmas and a fab new year.

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  3. Merry Christmas! Your post really is a case in point of needs vs wants which might help explain your feelings of more money to give.

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  4. Our neighbourhood facebook members pitched in for monthly bus passes for local families in need.
    I have four extra adults in the house, I cannot keep enough bread and milk on the shelf but fancier stuff is just sitting there.
    Have a wonderful Christmas.

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  5. This year we did our annual gift to the Powell River Christmas Cheer basket campaign, canned goods to the food bank, and gave our AirMile points to charity before they expired this December. It's good to give help to others. - Margy

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  6. We don't have hoards of food, but after a day of baking, we do have hoards of cookies! I gave some away as gifts, but we still have a lot here. We don't mind though. ;-) Merry Christmas!

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  7. Hope it's every bit as good as you deserve it to be! xxx

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  8. Merry Christmas! Have a wonderful time with your family.

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  9. Happy Holidays from Montreal! Enjoy the company of your loved ones as each moment is priceless.
    Hugs
    Valerie x

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  10. Merry Christmas from London, ON. I tried to donate once a month and was mostly successful. Like you I spread my charitable donations around and love to shop at thrift shops, where I also donate. Sounds like you are getting are set for the new year with your cleaning. I'm waiting a couple more days as we are having more company soon and why clean twice??

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  11. Hope you enjoyed the holidays. I donate to RedCross when the Alberta fire happened. I don't shop at thrift stores that much. But donate things to them.
    Nice to know that your business is having enough clients. Having meaningful things to do while having enough money is a great blessing. keep up the good work!

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