Is Christmas Just A Racket?

By Heather (Balance With Purpose)

 

“Let’s face it. We all know Christmas is just a racket
set up to make people buy lots of stuff they don’t need.”
~ Lucy Van Pelt

Is Lucy from Peanuts right? Is Christmas a racket? Are we sucked into buying more than we can afford by retail ads promising the “lowest prices of the season?” Do we buy items we wouldn’t normally buy just because they were truly low prices?

So, how have you fared this holiday season? Did you overspend? Did you keep to your list? Did you set and stick to a budget?

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Do You Pray First?

By Heather (Balance with Purpose)

I’ve been thinking about greed lately and how many decisions we base on our desire for money or our fear of letting it go. Being raised in a country where materialism is engrained in us from birth, I struggle with keeping faith at the forefront of my financial decision making.

In this age of high unemployment and rising costs of living, we are faced with financial decisions every single day. How many of those decisions do you take to prayer? Do you pray about the groceries you need to purchase? Do you pray about a large home repair like a leaky roof? What about the Christmas presents you hope to buy this month?

Do you pray about the tiny purchases and expenses, or do you save praying to God for the really big ones.

What about job changes? Do you let faith and prayer lead you to the right decision, or do you base that decision solely on income you think you need?

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Black Friday - Don't Be Caught In The Dark

By Heather (Balance with Purpose)

Long after turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes make you want to take a nap and hours after the final touchdown is thrown on Thanksgiving Day, retailers everywhere open their doors to the millions of people who are courageous enough and determined enough to brave stores in the hopes to get their hands on the perfect Christmas presents at the lowest prices ANYWHERE. Did you hear me? I said “lowest prices anywhere” and I’ll add, “It’s the last time you’ll see those prices or that one special gift.”

Okay, I’m lying, but it’s for the greater good. Let me be the first to tell you, friends, don’t believe everything you see on television or everything you read in the paper, including those pretty, glossy flyers that will arrive bright and early this Sunday.

Especially not those pretty, glossy flyers!!

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Homebuyer Credit Updated - I Don't Get It!

By Heather, CPA (Balance with Purpose)

What I mean is, I understand it, but I DON’T GET IT! So, I’ve got my own proposed legislation.

Congress decided to extend the parameters of the First-time Homebuyers Tax Credit to allow more people to take advantage of the credit. 1) Homeowners who have lived in the same house for five of the last eight years may be eligible for up to a $6,500 tax credit by purchasing a new home. 2) The new law raised the income threshold, allowing more Americans to take advantage of the benefit. 3) The availability of the credit, set to expire at the end of 2009, has been extended to at least April 30, 2010.

Great, right? Not-so-fast!

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Is It Our Patriotic Duty To Live Beyond Our Means To Bring The US Economy Out Of Recession?

By Heather, CPA (Balance With Purpose)

My opinion? ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!

In a time of recession the federal government has attempted to stimulate the economy with the following:

1. Economic Stimulus Payment
2. Incentive for Americans to purchase autos, like the famous “Cash for Clunkers”
3. First-time home buyers rebate
4. Lower interest rates

If consumers were over-extended in the first place, is it a good thing to encourage the same consumers to spend any amount they receive from the Federal government? Possibly even encourage over-spending just to stimulate the economy?

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