Free Online Holiday Planner Calculator Helps Organize Seasonal Expenses
With the joy of the holidays comes the stress of overs-pending. Every year, many consumers overspend during the holidays and start off the New Year in debt. According to the National Retail Federation, “American shoppers will spend just under $750 on average on their holiday purchases this year, with a record percentage of shoppers buying online.”
Although retailers are anticipating an increase in holiday spending over last year, Connecticut Better Business Bureau says that doesn’t mean you have to break your budget.
BBB is teamed up with Clearpoint Credit Counseling Solutions to offer financial tips to help you manage your expenses and stay clear of debt.
To get started, check out our Holiday Planner Calculator, which helps you compartmentalize your holiday budget into categories such as gifts, travel and food. You set the overall budget, and adjust it depending on your needs and plans for the holiday season.
Here are some other ideas from Clearpoint for sticking to a budget:
Make a list -Jot down a list of the people who – whether naughty or nice - you intend to give a gift to.
Set a Limit - Look at your budget to see how much you can afford to spend in total and then set limits for the amounts you will spend on each person.
Do your research - Many retailers are offering holiday deals, but it’s always a good idea to comparison shop. Online prices may be better, but don’t forget to factor in shipping costs. This year many retailers are willing to match prices from online competitors.
Plan your purchases - Decide on what items you will buy online and which items you will purchase at local retailers. Go to www.bbb.org to check out their BBB Business Reviews before you shop.
Make your holidays merry and bright with a plan, a budget and the resolve to stick to it. Come January, you can start the New Year with a clean slate instead of a stack of bills and heavy credit card debt.
-Submitted by Howard Schwartz Executive Communications Director, Connecticut Better Business Bureau
12:25 pm on Thursday, November 8, 2012 I'm not a Democrat, first of all. It is my belief, (and you two are indeed perfect examples) that adherence to the dead two party template makes morons out of people. Jimmy Pursey 3:23 pm on Wednesday, October 17, 2012 My pop served in Korea, and was exposed to radiation at H-Bomb tests, Paulie-Boy. Then he was a police officer for 30 years. So recognizing con men and hucksters like yourself, is in my blood.
http://phys.columbia.edu/~cqft/physics.htm
Jimmy--see a doctor. Not a psychologist, a hematologist. who can tell you with certainty that you have no powers, owing to your father's radiated blood. The fact that your father, could only get a job as a cop, and his implied level of intelligence, is why you are where you are. Intelligence is in fact a genetic trait. Finding con-men, the genetics experts will tell you, is not an inheritable trait.
As for the article itself, the advice is good, though of course also a bit self-promoting as the ultimate purpose. That's fine, the BBB has to find survival strategies in a changing market and changing technology. I also like Mr. Borsch's 4 points of common sense frugality and creativity/personalization of gifts rather than buying unneeded items. Would love to see a BUY AMERICAN Christmas!
"The guy actually believes that he has powers from radiated blood. Sort of funny. Sort of sad. Im guessing it affects him to the point, that he lives in utter mediocrity, causing his bitterness. Jimmy--see a doctor. Not a psychologist, a hematologist. who can tell you with certainty that you have no powers, owing to your father's radiated blood. The fact that your father, could only get a job as a cop, and his implied level of intelligence, is why you are where you are. Intelligence is in fact a genetic trait. Finding con-men, the genetics experts will tell you, is not an inheritable trait."
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Donald asked me to repost it. But , there again, is that inherited blood. Not very smart.
8:37 pm on Wednesday, November 28, 2012 Yea, sure thing, those evil libs. What do you call the spreading of BS lies, such as the president was born in Kenya? You LOST, get over it! Not really the entire country lost big time. And all this bickering about race is laughable. Seems like i read the black vote was 97% for the president. Is that part of the race card. Just wondering.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/11/06/judge-issuing-order-to-reinstate-booted-philadelphia-election-officials/ http://www.floridapoliticalpress.com/2012/11/10/st-lucie-county-reports-141-1-voter-turnout-results-impact-allen-wests-failed-reelection-bid/comment-page-1/ http://www.punditpress.com/2012/11/good-news-obama-won-county-in-ohio-with.html You can also look back at 2008 MN Senate Race with Al Franken, 2004 WA governor's race.
The thing that really FLOORS me about you however, Donny...is this: How do you justify your condescending negativity with what you claim is your faith in Jesus Christ, your savior? Because, there is NOTHING spiritual, or Christian in ANY of the statements you make here. This has always baffled me about people like you.
Just another one of those inherited, less than intelligent statements. How do you know he wasnt outraged by bush? just an assumption? The hypocrisy instead, exists with you. Continuing to write about bush errors, and expressing outrage, while at the same time, excusing similar actions by obama. Hmm--do you ever think?
So do you...but I don't take it personally. The difference is when I log off, you'll still be thinking about me. "Genuine leaders should be dominant without being domineering..."
Yes, you're a shameless troll. But we all knew that already. Get a life, creep.
You sure got me that time. Boy am I ashamed.
3 hours ago "you people" are at it again.... please for the love of all things good GO AWAY!!!!! AMEN !!!!!!!!!
Also, despite his supposed moral clarity and relationship with our Lord and Savior the poster named Donald Borsch, actually agrees with this racist. So there's that.
Munchausen Syndrome is an attention-seeking personality disorder which is more common than statistics suggest. Munchausen Syndrome, named after a German soldier renowned for exaggerated tales, is a disorder in which an emotionally immature person with narcissistic tendencies, low self-esteem and a fragile ego has an overwhelming need to draw attention to himself and to be the centre of attention. In Munchausen Syndrome, this is achieved by capitalising on, exploiting, exaggerating or feigning illness or injury or personal misfortune. The opportunities for being centre of attention can be increased if feigning victimhood through alleged victimisation, isolation, exclusion or persecution is added to the equation; the Munchausen person can then depict another person as a victimiser or persecutor and herself as the victim. Presenting himself as a false victim is also a Munchausen trait.
Tapirs have a short prehensile (gripping) trunk, which is really an extended nose and upper lip. They use this trunk to grab branches and clean them of leaves or to help pluck tasty fruit. Tapirs feed each morning and evening. During these hours they follow tunnel-like paths, worn through the heavy brush by many a tapir footstep, to reach water holes and lush feeding grounds. As they roam and defecate they deposit the seeds they have consumed and promote future plant growth.