Holiday spending can really blow a budget quickly. Don’t end up in debt just because you have a long list of people to buy for this year.
Try these strategies to stay within budget:
●Set a spending limit with loved ones. You may be concerned that this will make you look “cheap,” but in reality it may relieve your loved one’s budget, too, and help them narrow down a gift idea.
●Propose a “secret Santa” gift exchange. This can allow you to keep your gift-buying list short. Not only do you only buy for one person in a group, but you can also set a spending limit for gifts. Buy one really good gift, instead of many smaller gifts. Turn it into a “white elephant” game for more fun.
●Try your hand at a homemade gift. Creating a personalized gift shows you took the time to put together a gift that you think someone would like.
Not handy?
Try something simple like a jar of soup mix for co-workers. Follow the recipe in the sidebar to layer ingredients in a mason type jar and — boom! — a beautiful and yummy gift is ready to go.
Don’t forget to include preparation instructions on the gift tag.
●Want to do something different for loved ones? Watch the internet for deals on dinner, movies or a show. You can sometimes get a great bargain and bond with loved ones creating memories, rather than giving a gift they will use once or twice. Admission to the Florida State Parks is generally inexpensive, and we have many area parks. Have you been to the Florida Caverns in Marianna?
●It is not too late to make a holiday spending budget — the key is sticking to it. Buy on sale, compare prices in ads, search online for the best deals, and don’t panic over brand names.
A gift should be something special that you want a person to have. That makes it wonderful, no matter the logo on the box.
For more tips or for help saving money, feel free to contact me at 689-5850 or jbreslawski@ufl.edu.
In addition, check www.okaloosasaves.org to take the America Saves Pledge and follow Okaloosa Saves on Facebook and Twitter.
Jill Breslawski is an agent at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension office in Crestview.
Ingredients
•1/2 cup dried green split peas
•1/3 cup beef bouillon granules
•1/4 cup medium pearl barley
•1/2 cup dried lentils
•1/4 cup dried minced onion
•2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
•1/2 cup uncooked long grain rice
•1/2 cup uncooked alphabet pasta or other small pasta
•1 pound ground beef (90 percent lean)
•3 quarts water
•1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
Directions
1. In a 1 and 1/2-pint jar, layer the first seven ingredients in the order listed. Wrap pasta in a small sheet of plastic wrap; add to jar. Seal tightly. Store in a cool, dry place for up to three months.
2. Remove pasta from jar and set aside. In a Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the beef until no longer pink; drain. Add the water, tomatoes and soup mix; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 45 minutes. Stir in the reserved pasta; cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until the pasta, peas, barley and lentils are tender.
Preparation should take 15 minutes. Cook time is 1 and 1/4 hours
Yields 16 servings (4 quarts) per batch.
Recipe courtesy of tasteofhome.com
Friendship soup mix
32923141007
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: BRESLAWSKI: 5 ways to Christmas shop on a budget