The Christmas season is now but a distant memory for most of us. But you may be reminded of it, not for the joyous memories of spending time with your family. But instead, thoughts of paying for all those gifts you bought are racing through your mind. You maybe thinking about fiscal cliffs and tax increases, and wondering about debt help terms. It may be a bit over whelming; but debt counselors like ALLABOUTMONEY.COM can help.
Here are some common sense tips to make sure you can enjoy the holidays without getting into financial trouble.
Decide who you are buying for before you start.
If you have a large family or have many friends, you may not have the finances to purchase for everyone. Decide before you start purchasing any gifts who you are buying for. It may just be your spouse, your children, your parents, your in-laws and a select few other people. You may not need to buy something for Uncle Jimmy who you only see once a year at Christmas or Cousin Betty who moved to Florida twenty years ago and you have not seen her since.You may need to let your people know that you are cutting back on the number of gifts you are purchasing because you are want to be financially smart.
Know your limit on how much you are spending on each person.
Once you have decided who you are buying for, then you must decide on an amount you are willing to spend. For some people, you may want t0 spend a little more, like your parents. For others, you may be a little less, like a niece or nephew are just babies. One way to stick with a designated amount is to buy a gift card to the person’s favorite store. Gift cards are an excellent idea because the person can get what he or she really wants and you don’t have to guess. Also, it prevents you from buying multiple gifts and going over your designated limit.
Do not feel obligated to buy gifts for someone just because they buy you a gift.
Many times, you will receive a gift from a co-worker or a neighbor. You may feel like you are obligated to purchase something for them. But check your list, if they are not on your original list, don’t feel like you have be buying something for them. If they truly gave you the gift from their heart, they should not be expecting anything in return. You can give them a thank you note, expressing your gratitude. And then for their birthday or another date in the future, you can give them a gift.
Consider homemade gifts.
Some times the best gifts are not the ones purchased, but the ones that are home made. If you have a favorite recipe, nothing can warm a person’s heart like homemade cookies, cakes or breads. I have given friends and family homemade cranberry bread and I have received the most enthusiastic “thank you’s”. And the cost for an entire cake is generally in the $5 to $10 range. Using this price range can help you expand your list of people who you can give to.
Homemade Cranberry Bread
Another alternative, homemade lip balm.
The holiday seasons should be a joyful and happy time spent with family and friends. You don’t want to get consumed by the need to be buying for everyone and hurting your financial stability in the process. Set your limits, stick to it and it will be a happier time for everyone.
I submitted some pictures to pepsi.com to possibly be included in the Pepsi Superbowl Halftime Countdown. The photos needed to be taken with a camera and at night. There was different pose choices to choose from on the site, I decided to do clock movements. I submitted five photos. Over 100,000 photos were submitted and they selected about 500 to be in the final cut to be in the video. My photo below was one of those 500 picked to be included in the countdown before the Superbowl half time show. I received an email message from Pepsi,saying that my photo had been selected for ‘possible’ inclusion in the video. I had to sign an affidavit and have it notarized in order for my photo to be considered. Pepsi indicated that I would receive a coupon for a free 12 pack of my favorite Pepsi products if my photo was used.
I did not know if my photo was going to be included in the video because I did not hear back from Pepsi after I signed the affidavit. I watched the half time show and the countdown video and said there’s no way. I could not be included in there because I saw it and I did not see myself. I said, “oh well it was fun to be a part of the process.”
However in yesterday’s mail, I received an envelope from Track Marketing Group out of New York City. Not knowing what it was, I opened it up and inside was a coupon for a free 12-pack of Pepsi products. I began thinking to myself, I must have been included, but where was it.
I looked at the ad in a Youtube video, but still I didn’t see myself. But in the information section of the video, it said to check Pepsi’s website to watch the video frame by frame to see if you made the cut. I went to website and looked at each frame. The video was 30 seconds and had over 370 frames. That is where I found myself, on frames 344, 345 and 346. I saw my image in the number one. Take a look. My picture is cropped and marked by the yellow dots. Each of these three frames has my photo in it at least six times. This is too cool.
JT in Number One of Countdown Superbowl Halftime video
This is the capture of my pic with others in the number one of the countdown. I am really amazed that I was even included in this Beyonce + Pepsi Half-time countdown.
The picture is small and cropped (my picture is cropped at the waist) but it was included eight times in the number one. Eight times! I am actually in this ad.
Click on the photo below to see an enlarged version of it.
I had to slow down the video to see my photo. This was an awesome experience.
Click on the photo to see an enlarged version of it.
So exciting.
The video is below and the countdown came on right before Beyonce performed.
Beyonce came to the stage with dozens of fans cheering her on. Apparently twitter was going bonkers.
I really could not see a lot of the faces in the handmade countdown; because it was really fast but it was different take on introducing the show.
The stage was set with two faces looking at each other from each side with hair blowing in the wind.
Beyonce tonight wore a black leather jacket bodysuit ensemble by designer Rubin Singer and she threw into the audience her jacket and part of the skirt that revealed underneath a leather leotard dress with lace insets on the side.
www.RubinSinger.com
Her first song was a few verses of Love on Top and then Crazy in Love. I was right Jay Z was not on stage with her. She crawled on the stage, and did her cat walk.
She used a lot of body image interpretations of holograms of herself which I have seen her use in past performances. Baby Boy your on my mind you are my fantasy…
She had a mass amount of dancers and her band to fill the stage. She used a lot of lights and the cool part to me was the fire coming from the lady musician’s guitar.
I was hearing speculation that her former bandmates from Destiny’s Child, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, would not make an appearance. However, they came out from underneath the stage and sang Bootylicious, Independent Woman and then went right into Single Ladies and even did the dance routine. I got Single Ladies right too. It appeared that Kelly’s and Michelle’s mics were not turned up loud enough. I wonder if this was a miscue or if it was intentional.
I was really thinking that Beyonce, Kelly and Michelle would sing their latest release, Nuclear, but not this time. I have been hearing mixed reviews about the song so maybe one day the DC reunited will perform it live.
Beyonce also sung her hit Halo. She asked the audience to reach their hands out to her so she could feel their energy. Halo, Halo, Halo!
It was a high-energy show filled with booty shaking and many of Beyonce’s hits. Would have liked to seen her perform my favorite song, Get Me Bodied, but I know there are only so many songs you can perform in 12-13 minutes.
It was very clear that Beyonce’s performance was not about introducing any new material but giving the fans their favorites and that’s what it’s really about. She did a good job.
I have to admit my favorite Superbowl halftime show was when Prince performed, EPIC.
And congratulations to the Baltimore Ravens for winning a hard-fought game.
It’s almost that time. Countdown Everybody to the SuperBowl Halftime Show!
I know that people are really excited about the game; but there are many of us (like me) who look forward to the halftime show. Madonna did an awesome job last year; but on Sunday, February 3 Beyonce will be taking the stage and it will be party for sure.
This week’s rehearsals give a slight indication of what will be sung. In the video, I hear Beyonce singing countdown.
I believe Countdown will be included in the playlist because fans all over the world have been counting down the minutes to see Beyonce take to the stage.
I envision that Beyonce will bring to the stage her former band mates of DC, Michelle and Kelly, for a reunion and sing their recently released from their Love Songs CD, Nuclear. I say this because what better way to release a brand new single in front of millions of people who are fans or will become new fans. The song is a relaxing jam that I could listen to when I am driving or if I am away on the beach in the Caribbean. Okay back to the music.
One of the lyrics says, “When two become one on a quantum level”…
My favorite groove is, Get Me Bodied. I really hope that she performs this one because the dancing is so on point. This song makes me show another clock picture. Oh yes!
Will Jay Z make a special appearance? No, because it is his lady’s show. He would want all the accolades and spotlight to go to her. If Jay Z so happens to make an appearance, the hit from Beyonce ft. Jay Z, “Crazy In Love,” makes me do the catwalk. That car blowing up in the video so cool! I’m strutting my stuff. Oh oh Oh Oh Oh Oh no no!
My husband definitely got me looking Crazy in Love! Love ya Baby!
And if Beyonce could add in Deja Vu in that appearance with Jay Z, that would be too cool. Boy, I try to catch myself but I am out of control!
My other picks for the Beyonce Half-time show would be Irreplaceable and Single Ladies, both mega hits.
Irreplaceable is a fan favorite and she has to do this one. To the Left, To the Left!
Single Ladies is another fan favorite, the dancing is on point and so true that if you like it you should put a ring on it. If you like it then you should of put a ring on it.
In less than 24 hours we will see. Please check back for my review of the show.
Learn More About JT
Bubbling with Elegance and Grace started out as an outlet for my passion for fashion but has evolved into a place for me to teach, collaborate, and inspire. My hubby has since joined the team and we have been digital creators for 13 years. We are thankful for those who believed in us from the beginning and those who have just started riding with us on this lovely journey.
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