YOU
Top Tips at
Christmas
Strong Woman vs Woman of Strength
Headache? Put the kettle on!
Dog's Rules For Christmas
Are you lonely – and looking for a special friend?
Are you a saver or a spender?
The cowboy at your door
Is your child safe in the car?
Cancel that card!
Top Tips
at Christmas:
Remember the
reason for the season. It's Jesus' birthday, not yours!
Plan ahead.
Work out how much you can realistically afford before you start
spending. The worst way to do your Christmas shopping is at the
last minute, in a panic, with a pocket full of credit and store
cards
If you can
afford to, set a little aside each week for Christmas and save it
in an interest bearing account
Don't get
stressed out in a last-minute present buying frenzy. Be prepared,
buy them now! Shop early - this will help spread the cost of
Christmas. If you rush to the shops at closing time on Christmas
Eve you are likely to spend a great deal more than if you had
planned ahead
Don't
overspend! Decide on a budget and stick to it! Set a limit on how
much you are going to spend on each person and stick to it.
You'll regret it afterwards if you don't!
Remember that
Christmas is an expensive time of year for everyone. With some
close friends and adults in the family you may be able to make a
‘no presents’ pact. Or agree to exchange only token
gifts with a fixed limit on what you spend
Try shopping
with cash only - that way you can't spend more than your budget
Try not to
feel pressurized by children into buying expensive toys or other
items you can’t afford. Explain the situation to them. And
don’t be tempted to buy toys from home catalogues unless
you've no other option - they can often work out more expensive
Don't go
overdrawn without telling your bank in advance. You will be
penalised quite heavily, often with an initial £20 fine and then
interest of as much as £5 a day
Don't go mad
in the January sales if you have overspent at Christmas and avoid
the temptation of the numerous 'buy now pay later' offers
Help people
whenever you can. After all, it is the season of goodwill!
Be tolerant
of visiting relatives. They want to enjoy Christmas as much as
you do, honestly
Don't eat too
much when you have Christmas dinner! There's nothing worse than
feeling ill on Christmas day.
Forget all of
your worries for one day of the year. Whatever they are, just
relax and enjoy celebrating the birth of Christ!
Be grateful.
Even if those lime-green 'Bob the Builder' socks weren't quite
what you asked for, just smile and look thrilled!
Finally, if
you do run into debt problems, don't ignore them and hope they'll
go away - they won't. Get advice as early as possible. Contact
Credit Action’s free advice line (managed in partnership
with CCCS) which offers free debt advice on 0800 138 1111 or
contact your nearest Citizens Advice Bureau for free,
confidential, independent money advice
Strong
Woman vs. Woman of Strength
A strong
woman works out every day to keep her body in shape ...
but a woman of strength kneels in prayer to keep her soul in
shape.
A strong
woman isn't afraid of anything ...
but a woman of strength shows courage in the midst of her fear.
A strong
woman won't let anyone get the best of her ...
but a woman of strength gives the best of her to everyone.
A strong
woman walks sure footedly...
but a woman of strength knows God will catch her when she falls.
A strong
woman wears the look of confidence on her face ...
but a woman of strength wears grace.
A strong
woman has faith that she is strong enough for the journey ...
But a woman of strength has faith that it is in the journey that
she will become strong.
Headache?
Put the kettle on!
If getting
ready for Christmas is really getting to you, have a cuppa!
The British
solution to life’s daily woes – a cup of tea – is
actually more effective than you may think. New scientific
research has discovered that the caffeine in tea and coffee can
relieve bad headaches faster than standard pain-killers.
Caffeine has
long been known to energise you, but it now seems that it is also
a potent pain killer. Research in
Dog's
Rules For Christmas
1. Be very
patient with your humans during this time. They will be more
stressed-out than usual, but oddly, may not want to spend time in
long comforting dog cuddles.
2. Instead,
they will spend long hours writing Christmas cards. Let them do
this, but insist that you accompany them to the post-box to post
them.
3. They will
come home with large bags of things they call gifts. Do not
assume that all the gifts are yours.
4. Be
tolerant if your people put decorations on you. Even fake antlers
won’t kill you – except perhaps through embarrassment.
5. At some
point they will bring a large tree into the house and cover it
with lights and decorations. This is their tree, and they are
very protective of it. Don't pee on this tree! Don't drink the
water in the container that holds the tree. Don’t even wag
your tail near it.
6. Soon after
this, your humans will start wrapping presents. However
fascinating this is, do not stand on the wrapping paper while
they are doing this. Especially, do not walk off with the present.
7. Next, the
wrapped packages will start appearing under the tree. Leave these
alone – even if they have your name on them.
8. Your
humans may invite lots of strangers to come and visit during this
season. These parties can be great fun, but remember that not
everyone will want to share the couch with you. Also, some greedy
strangers may even object to sharing their plate and glass with
you.
9. Likewise,
your humans may take you visiting. Here your manners will also be
important: don’t pee on your host’s Christmas tree.
10. Above
all, remember this: on Christmas Eve a big man with a white beard
and a very loud laugh will emerge from your fireplace in the
middle of the night. Do not bite him!!
Are you
lonely – and looking for a special friend?
Friends
First, a Christian organisation that helps to bring people
together, says: “We are constantly being told stories of
people who've got together and who perhaps weren't a perfect
match on paper. You know it's amazing who God may have in store
for us: that man or woman who is just what we need to bring us
closer to him. Our partners can help us become all that God made
us to be, perhaps to iron out some of our faults as well as
develop our strong points.
“But
like so much in our lives, so often we think we know best; we
think we know exactly the sort of person we want and who'd be
best suited for us. Often, God knows so much better and the
stories of people getting together in Friends First really are a
testament to this.
“So if
you are single and looking to be with someone again, either for
the first time, or again, then here's some advice: pray hard
about your need, and for your future potential partner. Next, don’t
narrow your search – keep your criteria as wide open as you
can. You may be amazed at the results! Just don't be too quick to
jump to conclusions - in doing so, you may miss the person who is
perfect for you.”
More info
from: www.friends1st.co.uk
Are you a
saver or a spender?
Many people
in their 40s and 50s are spending their money on their current
lifestyles, instead of saving for the future. Recent research has
found that more than a third of those aged 45 – 54 admit to
having no investments other than residential property.
The cowboy
at your door
If you have a
domestic emergency this month, a cowboy tradesman could ruin your
Christmas. So Norwich Union offers these five tips for dealing
with tradesmen:
1. Be
proactive: ask how the workman plans to handle the emergency, and
how long he expects to take. Discussing this upfront gives him
boundaries to work within, and shows him that you are not a
passive pushover.
2. Explain
your house rules before work begins. If clearing up after workmen
is not for you, then say so. Different people have different
likes and dislikes, and your workman will appreciate knowing them
from the start.
3. Discuss
the estimated cost upfront, and don’t be scared to ask how
costs are worked out. If the final bill exceeds the estimate, ask
for a bill breakdown and explanation.
4. If you are
uncomfortable with handing out keys and security codes, then don’t.
Once the initial emergency is sorted, arrange a suitable time for
follow-up work while you are on the premises.
5. Ask to see
personal ID and company business cards. Workmen should also be
able to show you details of liability insurance and proof of
accreditations or qualifications.
Remember
– it is YOUR house and YOUR money on the line!
Is your
child safe in the car?
Are you
travelling somewhere this Christmas? Will your child be safe in
the car? Parents are putting their children’s lives at risk
by failing to ensure that they are properly restrained in cars.
The RAC has found that one in ten children who travel in the back
of cars do not use seatbelts or child restraints. The RAC
Foundation child seat fact file has found that children under
four are ten times more likely to be killed in a car accident if
unrestrained. Furthermore, it seems that 90 per cent of injuries
could be avoided if child restraints were used correctly.
Cancel
that card!
Millions of
people are putting themselves at risk of identity fraud by
failing to cancel their old credit cards, according to recent
research from online credit report and ID fraud alert provider
MyCallcredit.
On average,
people in the
Cutting up a
credit or charge card is not good enough to prevent your ID and
credit file being stolen by a fraudster. You need to inform the
lender that you no longer want the facility.