I know that it is a little early to begin thinking about winter, but it’s coming in another month or two depending on your local.  You’ll save about $25 to $75 a month on your heating costs if you weatherize your home.  Get started now… many of these things are better done in the summer when you have nice weather and lots of daylight.

• Seal doors and windows with caulk, weather stripping and plastic film. A small investment  in weatherizing supplies can reduce heating costs by two to three times that much. Don’t forget the basement windows!
• Add foam gaskets behind all outlet covers and switch plates, and use safety plugs in all unused outlets. These are prime places for outside air to leak into your home. Be sure to shut off power at the fuse box or circuit panel first.
• Check the exterior of your home for air leaks, especially around openings for water spigots, air conditioner hoses, dryer vents and gas pipes. Use caulk or expanding foam to seal spaces.
• If your home has a large, single-pane picture window, use heavy or insulated draperies during the winter to help hold back cold air.
• Reflective window film can help reduce heat gain during the summer, and it will keep furniture and carpets from fading.
• Check window panes to see if they need new glazing. If the glass is loose, replace the putty holding the pane in place. Most types of window glazing require painting for a proper seal.
• If drafts sneak in under exterior doors, replace the threshold. If that’s not practical, block the drafts with a rolled-up towel or blanket.
• Don’t forget to weatherize the attic access. Secure insulation to the back of the hatch or door, and use weather stripping to seal the opening.

Today’s topic is a little different… but I felt like sharing a little more about why I’m writing this blog and why You have seen no “advertising” on it.  Eventually, that will change, but I really had two major reasons for writing and neither of them had to do with making money.  The first reason is that I actually hurt for people that are slaves to credit.  As long as you buy things on credit, you are spending money on interest.  That means that you (or your spouse) has to work harder and longer to earn money to pay that interest.  The hours you work are time from your life, family and pleasure that you can NEVER get back.  A young couple I know bought a house that is too expensive for their income.  When I advised against it, their response was that they would just earn more money to make the monthly payments.  Seems logical.  She will work part time at home selling on eBay and taking care of the three children.  He will work at his regular job 5 days a week, and take on additional part time jobs on evenings and weekends.  The children really miss the time and attention from both their parents.  They hardly ever see Daddy, and Mommy is too busy to play with them very much.  The time they are spending can never come back to them.  They are also buying things for the new house on credit.  I hurt for them now, and if something should happen and one of them cannot do the extra work, their regular income is not enough.  I write this blog because I hope that those of you reading it will take it to heart and stop buying on credit.  Stop spending more than you earn, and begin to save money.

The second reason I write is because I needed the discipline and habit of writing something every day.  In a few more months, this blog will begin to change and develop additional topics.  I will be putting an effort into growing the blog and you will begin to see advertising on it.  Until then, I write every day to form a habit that will be reliable to you and other readers.

My husband and I just spent a few days away to celebrate our 40^th wedding anniversary.  We chose years ago to spend time with each other to mark special occasions rather than purchase “stuff” to give to one another.  We still give a small gift to each other at Christmas, but anniversaries, birthdays, Valentine’s Day and other gifting occasions are marked with things like holding hands, taking walks, or visiting.  I say this even though this entire blog has been about gifting on a budget. 

I believe that too many people give or receive gifts based on the wrong kind of feelings and expectations.  I know that I used to.  I had this unhealthy and incorrect assumption that if I gave a lavish gift that I would be more loved and appreciated by the recipient.  Instead, I just set up expectations that seemed to require more expensive and lavish gifts each year.  Worse yet, it eventually became very clear to me that the gifts really weren’t appreciated.  Many recipients simply took the gifts back to the stores after the holiday and had a spending frenzy on me. 

Over the past few years, I have made much wiser spending decisions on gifts.  I set a budget, of course, and it is usually quite modest.  I actually make several gifts, or try to find unique items.  I will be sharing some of my favorite web sites off and on, so you can find some of these artists and small Internet businesses.  I also practice what I write about, and buy or make my gifts all year long.  The only gifts I purchase during the month of December are those special little things that the children decide they must have.  Even then, if it’s just something they see on TV and nothing they’ve ever shown an interest in before.. I don’t purchase it for them. 

Spend some time this week thinking about why you give gifts.  Examine your feelings about giving and receiving.  You might be very surprised by your findings, and it may change the way and the amount you give in the future.

Today’s specialty gift suggestion is for that man (or woman) on your list that just loves to Barbecue. If you’ve watched those barbecue competitions on the food channel, and wanted to sample some of the prize winning rubs, then here is your chance. It is my understanding that this company also offers other products. I’m going to provide you a link to a gift offering of their rubs, but please use their contact information at the bottom of their description if you want to inquire about other specialty items.

Bobbibopstuff Craft Forum – Rub

My first gift suggestion for someone special on your list is a portrait of their beloved pet.  This artist does all animals and will also do people, but dogs are her specialty.  Often times, she is asked to memorialize a family pet after it has passed.  Since she works from your photograph, the finished painting is an excellent likeness.  She does not mat or frame the painting, so allow yourself enough in your budget to purchase a mat and frame.  She also only works in 8 ½” x 11” size at this time, so a custom frame will not be necessary.  Ready made will be perfect.  This link will take you to a forum posting offering her art.  http://bobbibopstuff.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=3267