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End of Year Bonus 2007 Newsletter
If you are just joining my newsletter group...Welcome.
We are at that festive time of year again….Isn’t it amazing at how
quickly time passes us by? Can you believe you have been in your home as
long as you have? Have you made headway in improving your credit and
getting your finances organized like you planned?
Well, in this issue we’ll cover the temptation of over extending
yourself at Christmas and how to “reign yourself in” when it comes to
buying gifts for loved ones.
Here is the customary short review of the information that we have
covered in the past regarding credit scores.
The 5 most important factors that are considered in the credit score
formulas are:
1. Your payment history
2. The amount of money that you owe
3. The length of time you have had credit
4. The type of credit that you have
5. How many credit Inquires
The holiday season is a wonderful time of giving and receiving, but in
the same breath….A season that brings anxiety and tension to our
finances!
Keep in mind that your family, health and time together are all things
that are priceless and often these are the best gifts that you can give
to the ones that you love.
Some other “cheaper” gifts are pictures. Finding old or new ones of one
another and put a special sentiment on the back, make a collage or put
in a little frame. Nothing brings more smiles to people’s faces than a
picture!! And it lasts forever!
That said we all have kids. Whether our children are young or old, most
of them have NO concept of money when it comes to Christmas! The lists
they make can be very extravagant and unbelievably expensive! Did you
ever have a Sears catalog and dog ear the pages so your parents or Santa
would know what you wanted? I must have dog eared 100 pages!… I swear
the catalog shopping was more fun than the opening of gifts!! And
ultimately by the time Christmas arrived there was usually one specific
thing that I really wanted….everything else was just stuff. Just using
your imagination looking through the catalog was the real enjoyment…lots
of times that is more fun than the actual gifts.
So, maybe an answer to the huge list dilemma is going over it all with
them. I mean your kids… looking online or in catalogs with them to see
what they really want and not just what would be cool ….I mean sitting
down with them and going over the list so that you can have a game plan
of what to spend money on and what not to spend any money on buying the
perfect gifts. You might be surprised to find out there really is only
one thing they really want or need ….not 10! Now that will relieve some
financial pressures you were putting on yourself!
This involves them in the process and gives them some insight on
finances and how decisions are made when it comes to money and
Christmas. Some folks even give IOU’s wrapped up and after Christmas go
shopping together to get some of the gifts that their kids want. This
strategy helps kids put some thought into and decide what they really
want instead of just haphazardly spending money. How can you go wrong by
spending some quality time with parents…not to mention save money on
those gifts that were a bit pricey the days and weeks prior to
Christmas!
Sounds like some work doesn’t it….Just consider this- you can never go
wrong teaching your child a little financial restraint and
responsibility. But, most of all you will be encouraging the meaning of
Christmas by showing through your actions…spending time with the ones
that mean most to us! And time with you is the ultimate gift that you
can give!
Okay, so that was the hardest thing to do… it takes some time and
energy, but you will find that it is really helpful for everyone.
Now, let’s talk about actually going out to the mall/ stores/ online
shopping …whatever is your preference. This is where all the temptation
hits us smack dab between the eyes!! Remember that charging today means
payments tomorrow! And just because it was on sale and seemed like a
great deal…after 3 or 4 payments and 18.99% interest it was a pretty
price gift!
Here’s a BIG Tip: Don’t buy yourself stuff while shopping for others!
This is a hard one for me. I am not a shopper so when I am Christmas
shopping for others I always see cool things that I would like (has that
ever happened to you?) I have to stop myself when looking at the ME
things that always seem to call out to me….Refocus….concentrate on the
task at hand- get only those gifts that are on the list. When I only get
what is on the list it saves me around 100 bucks at Christmas…Isn’t that
amazing and embarrassingly true…in fact another confession… sometimes I
put it in the cart and then as I am going to pay I put all the “Me”
things back. I feel better having held them while I walk around the
store….ODD but true!! Maybe it will help you as well.
And how about those folks that are coworkers or acquaintances… You
shouldn’t feel like you HAVE to buy them anything. Just remember if it
causes you stress financially- NO is the best answer for spending. Maybe
bake a huge pan of squares or bars, or cookies, put them in one of those
great Xmas paper lunch bags- dress it up with a nice name tag and
Christmas wish…people appreciate things you have put time into…and it
only costs a few dollars instead of $10, $20 or more !! This is another
great time to use the picture idea---take a picture with you and your
coworker or friend and give it to them for a gift with a great saying
that they will enjoy. You better believe it will bring a smile to their
face every time they look at it.
For your spouse…a night alone can be pretty cheap if you trade
babysitting with a neighbor, friend or family member. You can do it as
an IOU. When they open their box and see “IOU a date night on such and
such evening, No kids, no distractions!” Often that is more special than
the more expensive “thing” that you were going to get them. Time
together often gets overlooked in our busy lives and it can be the best
gift ever!
Okay, obviously I am not Martha Stewart! But I hear from my tenant
buyers all the time that Christmas is a hard time to hold finances
together. Believe me, I too have had to hold myself down to make the
holiday season enjoyable and not break me!
Surely you can recall enjoyable Christmases with little money and few
gifts! It is so surprising how quickly we forget the gifts.
So, don’t stress over where the money is going to come from for all the
gifts that you think have to be under the tree Christmas morning.
Instead…sit down on your own and with your loved ones and plan out what
gifts are really needed and most important what can be afforded. Maybe
you can get your child that ipod next month… so give them an IOU for
next month and let them know you have been saving for it. So, instead of
charging it you pay for all of it at once…it will mean even more when
they get it and you will feel better giving it! It also will make
Christmas last just a little longer.
Enough talk, its time to make the list and spend quality family time. I
wish you and your family an unforgettable and enjoyable Christmas filled
with love, laughter, and lots of time together!
Many of you have said you want to do the automatic payments to help you
organize yourself and have timely payments reported to the credit
bureau. Please email me and I will forward you the “ClearNow” form if
you have misplaced it. If you are currently doing auto payments by
direct pay or allotment you do not have to switch, but everyone that
sends a check or money order each month would benefit from this easy
payment option.
Please fill out the form and send it back with a voided check. You can
also fax them back to me.
Remember if you need to enroll with Fresh Start Credit LLC if you need
credit restoration at 303-674-6968.
If you are in credit restoration with Fresh Start Credit LLC already
call the office to schedule an appointment with Larry at 303-674-6968 or
leave a message on his cell phone 720-254-5656 so he can give specifics
on changing habits or giving you ideas of dealing with how and what to
pay off first.
If you need the phone number to your financial specialist/mortgage
person just email or call us for their contact information.
Christmas Safety Tips for You and Your Family:
Your safety and the safety of your family is our concern. If you have
placed Christmas trees in your home or you will be buying a Christmas
tree for your home, one of the most important things to remember when
decorating your Christmas tree is to use safe tree lights. Some lights
are designed for indoor use.
The larger tree lights should also have some type of reflector rather
than a bare bulb and all lights should be listed by nationally
recognized testing laboratory. Never use electric lights on a metal
tree.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to use tree light. Any
string of lights with worn, frayed or broken cords or loose bulb
connections should not be used.
Always unplug Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to
sleep.
Never use candles to decorate a tree, and never burn candles in the
home.
If you have a live tree, try to keep it as moist as possible by giving
it plenty of water.
Do not purchase a tree that is dry or dropping needles.
Choose a sturdy tree stand designed not to tip over.
When purchasing an artificial tree, be sure it is labeled as
fire-retardant.
Children are fascinated with Christmas trees. Keep a watchful eye on
them when around the tree and do not let them play with the wiring or
lights. Store matches and lighters up high, out of the reach of
children, preferably in a locked cabinet.
Carefully plan where your tree will be positioned. Make sure it is at
least 3 feet away from any source of heat, and do not place the tree in
front of or next to your exit. Also try to position it near an outlet so
that you do not use extension cords and so that cords are not running
long distances.
Safely dispose of the tree when it begins dropping needles. Dried out
trees are very dangerous and should not be left in a garage or placed
against the house.
Happy Holidays and May You Enjoy Your Wonderful Home during this Festive
Season!
Dedicated to improving your credit and making you a home owner,
Lori
Swiftcurrent Investment Group, LLC
EZQualDreamHomes.com
719-648-5223
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