Monthly Archives: December 2011

Christmas is over and a new year is coming.  You won’t be starting your New Year’s resolutions for a few more days and so you can make more goodies for your New Year’s celebration. (It has been scientifically proven by me – sort of – that any calories that you ingest on New Year’s Eve won’t follow you into the new year…really.)

Ready or Not #143: Take Advantage of Sales shares ideas of how to take advantage of sales at the grocery store and gives a fabulous recipe for Licorice Caramels.

When I the weatherman forecasts that a winter storm is heading my way, I get my shopping done and run all of my errands.  Am I just a wimp and don’t like to brave the cold? Absolutely!  That, and I’m not a risk taker and I just don’t want to take the chance of being stuck somewhere in bad weather. Ready or Not #142: Prepared in the Car and at Home asks some vital questions to help you be prepared when you’re out driving in bad weather and even when you’re at home.

You know that it is going to be painful. It always is. I’m talking about the after-the-holidays, in-the-red, and credit cards gone-wild-and-out-of-control pain. Ouch!

Ready or Not #236: Keeping Track of Finances gives you an easy to use spreadsheet so that starting on January 1, 2012, you can start tracking your expenses and income.  That way, you will know how much money you will have to spend on Christmas presents next year.

In Ready or Not #141, I share my mother’s English Toffee recipe.  It’s easy to make and is absolutely yummy.  You create wonderful family memories when you make it together (and eat it together) as a family.

Enjoy!

It’s that time of year.  No, I’m not talking about the frantic shopping and wrapping. I am talking about the scheduling and the making of plans for next year.   You don’t have to plan out the entire year all at once, but it is always good to keep track of important dates ahead of time.

In Ready or Not #235: Scheduling Planner, I give you three different calendar spreadsheets of different sizes that will help you organize and schedule your life.

Don’t you just love gift cards?  I know I do.  It’s the perfect size, the perfect color, and nobody ever wants to re-gift them.  So when I received an e-mail cautioning me about buying gift cards this season, I was a little sad. Ready or Not #138: Gift Cards talks about the perfect gift that you can give to that special someone on your list that has great lasting value.

This is the season when you make a list, check it twice, and pay attention to children who are naughty or nice.

Ready or Not #234: Spread the Cheer gives you lots of ideas of gifts that you can give those loved ones who are on your list.  And, it makes you stop and think about the impact of your holiday shopping.