On this "Black Friday, " I will be sitting here at home saving money instead of fighting the crowds all over town. While most of you are out burning calories off from Thursday, I'll be eating leftovers.
Please realize lady readers that the men will be watching football all day. It's the only day of the year that they look forward to you not being home.
It's not until the taxes are due that we realize maybe we spent too much on Black Friday.
This is why I stay home and away from the midnight madness sales.
It's funny, I would come home from a long day of shopping and say, "Honey I got this on sale" and "I thought it was great buy," and he'd say "Oh good, you saved me more money."
In eality, I would spend December's bill money on anything and everything I thought was a good buy. It took me years of learning to budget and how to leave those credit cards alone. I enjoy a good shopping spree like anyone else, just not today.
I find that the best deals are just a click away. Many people are too scared to buy online and feel that all there personal information will be jeopardized.
The simple truth is to only shop online at stores you know and trust. As long as they have a website that says secure, you will be safe.
I've been doing this for years and I can sit in my pajamas and shop. I won't spend impulsively because you probably won't find 2-for-1 deals on the Internet. I spend money more practically and economically by shopping online. I also have extra money for last-minute gifts by the time Christmas comes.
Here's an idea for saving money. I start making gifts in September. I'm crafty as most of my readers know and I enjoy making socks, potholders and crocheted blankets for family members and close friends.
Now I'm not being cheap, but homemade items are made with love and last a lifetime.
If you aren't very crafty, hit a couple craft fairs and you'll find something for a loved one to enjoy. The fact is, most of our impulsive shopping sprees end up in buying items that no one needs or will ever use.
You may end up seeing the gift you gave them at their next garage sale.
Here are a few tips on perfect gifts for others if you are not internet savvy.
Buy gift certificates to their favorite restaurant, gift cards to their favorite store or my favorite present, movie rental gift cards. Everyone will enjoy watching movies after the holidays and during the rainy season.
This way you know your money will be well spent, and remember it's the thought that counts. You'll feel great knowing you didn't overspend and you won't have sleepless nights wondering if you bought the right thing.
As the holidays approach, we have a looming anxiety hanging over us. Most of us are making plans to see who is going where for the holidays and this can be stressful since most families nowadays are extensive.
But why should we stress about it? Maybe we should get the family together a few times a year and avoid the holiday stress.
There's nothing more stressful than determining who's hosting the holiday get-togethers and who can make it and who can't. Next year, my resolution is to have two family get-togethers for no reason at all other than to say, I enjoy being with my family.
No conflicts, no stress, just a get-together to show I care.
But as for this Black Friday, I'll be sitting in my pajamas shopping online for sales and saving my husband tons of money. Now I wonder if he really means that, or is he just being a smarty-pants?
Kathy Josenhans lives in Port Orange with her husband, Frank, and their German shepherd, Heidi, and a cat named Bogie after Humphrey Bogart. The Josenhans have three grown children. She can be reached at kjosenhans@gmail.com.