Finish addressing your Christmas cards, and begin writing little personal notes in each one before you seal it.  If you do just a few cards a day, the task won’t be overwhelming.  If you usually write a Christmas letter, get it written now, and make enough copies for everyone.  Don’t have your cards yet?  Go to http://www.bobbibopstuff.com and you’ll find some great buys on quality cards.

Give some thought to the decorating you will do.  Dig out all your

12-Nov

            If you’ve been following this plan since last Christmas, most of your shopping and gifts have already been purchased and wrapped.  Special gifts for your immediate Family members should be all that you have yet to buy.  You’ll be opening the tin in a few more days, and should have accumulated enough money to purchase special gifts for each family member.  If you are a little behind, make your final shopping list today for all people outside your immediate family that you’ll still need to buy or make gifts for.

Planning a summer vacation?  Decide ahead of time how much you want to spend for the entire vacation, then make a daily vacation spending plan.  Include food, transportation, lodging, souvenirs, and treats.  Once you have your plan, make a copy for each family member.  During your vacation, have everyone try to under-spend the daily plan.  After the vacation, put the savings in the tin.  You could even offer a prize for the family member that under spends the most.

Schedule a yard or garage sale for later this month or next month.  Visit your neighbors and let them know what day you are planning your sale, and encourage them to have a sale on the same day.  You can all share advertising, put up lots of signs, and price everything to sell!  By mid June weather in almost every area is suitable for a sale.  Try to pick a nice weekend where there are very few other events.  Mark the date in your calendar, and start getting ready today

Review your calendar for June, and budget how much you will be spending for each gifting occasion.  If you normally purchase a Christmas present for those same people, plan on purchasing the Christmas gift at the same time.  Remember to record the purchase in your book.