I just bought a Rug Doctor last month

My small town is offering a price of 1 month of free electricity for the best lights nm [2008-11-21]
nm

Four people and roughly spend about 700+ per month. sm [2008-11-19]
However that includes everything including cleaning products, oil for cars/semitruck, hygiene products, socks/panties (don't put those in the clothing budget), etc.

bought/sold couple hundred items [2008-11-19]
i've had a good experience both ways. it is time consuming, communicating with customer/feedback/packaging items/mailing, etc. Like you, i thought of doing same. but you really have to have something special/in demand to market, or maybe do the drop-ship method where you don't even keep the inventory yourself to make a real business venture. I don't think it's any more of a golden goose than other business ventures however.

Last month I spent $321 for 3 of us. [2008-11-18]
It's just DH, 18 year-old son, and I. We live in the Philadelphia area. We generally eat far less meat than most American families, but we aren't vegetarian. My son commutes to a nearby university and works there, as well. He provides his own lunches, and probably only eats breakfast at home half of the time. Now, if you want to factor in what we pay for the meal plan for our son who lives away at college, well then... that's a whole other story! KA-CHING!

Live in Oregon, just DH and me, spend about 400 a month... [2008-11-18]
give or take including cat supplies. Costco every 4 to 5 weeks. Love really good bread, yogurt, real half and half for my coffee and fresh fruit and veggies no matter what the cost. Eat out on an average of 4 times a week, lunch or dinner on our days off, not fast food (Ugh). Cook everything from scratch, no boxes or cans here, except for pasta. I donat least twice a week. I have only seen a spike in dairy and bread products, but I won if I'm eating it, I want it to taste good and not be loaded with preservatives, etc. I'd rather spend 2.98 a pound for really good apples instead of 98 cents a pound for mealy ones. I'm Italian, so food is a religion for me and it better be good!

In Montana and just me and husband spend $400 a month..nm [2008-11-18]
nm

I just bought flooring on sale and put it in the garage. [2008-11-15]
I know that next year, the inventories will be low which will result in a supply and demand issue. Closed stores also will be a problem and may cause prices to sky rocket. Let's hope the boys at the G20 summit keep us from ending up in a soup line because the stores shelves are empty.

This is our 5-month-old boxer, Bettis [2008-11-13]
nm

Well I bought my first Christmas gift today...sm [2008-11-12]
for this year, and it was a big one. My son has been wanting a Playstation 3 since they came out, which I think was last year. They were $500 last year, and luckily he didn Well I saved a little this year so I could buy him this gift for Christmas this year. He says that is what he wants. They are now $400 this year. I saved and saved and I had the money put back to get it. So I gave my mom the money yesterday, and when she went to Walmart this morning, she bought it. I am so relieved because this is a major portion of Christmas bought. I only have the one son. No more children. I am so glad I was able to get this for him this year and so glad I already have it bought and put away for Christmas. Has anyone else started on their Christmas yet?

I love it too. We go a couple of times a month.. [2008-11-07]
spend about 500 bucks each time. Sometimes we come home with money, sometimes not, that the second time same thing, hit for 1500 bucks. I usually do pretty well, only play penny machines and have won as much as 800 bucks on one spin. We never spend more than 500 each. It's our vice and we enjoy it. We visit my family every year in Philly and for the 2 weeks we are there we usually gamble at least half the time. We save our money, take a couple of thousand with us for that purpose only and if we win great, if not, that's okay too.

I pay $189 a month for 5 phones w/unlm texting and 700 mim. [2008-11-03]
Even when we had internet it was still only a little over $200, that person needs a new plan!!!

Is cellphone bill of close to $400 a month typical?sm [2008-11-01]
I It isn I find it very high, but DH says it may be from texting or whatever. Person has state of the art phone, which does many things, but $400? Thanks.

I turned my furnace on a month ago! [2008-10-30]
I can't imagine letting it get that cold in the house!

Called the doctor's office [2008-10-21]
and they suggested this too. Also said to try Gatorade. Any idea how to make tonic water taste better? It is nasty stuff! I will suck it down but ick!

I bought one...sm [2008-10-14]
I just bought one this weekend for my 6yo son. He LOVED it. I made the outside only rule too and so far he has obeyed. It doesnhit with one and it seriously provided hours of fun for him.

Since you have a month, why don't you [2008-10-12]
get together and do a pic of the team or even a few and frame it! I You can even go to one of those machines, have it blown up and have it say something special down below. Also, they like gift cards to the local convenience store. Everyone could use a gift of gas especially when they are volunteers... Happy sporting! Glad you had a great coach!

I bought a little recipe book at the checkout...sm [2008-10-10]
line at the store and the name of it is Freezer Meals. It is all things you can cook and freeze. I was amazed at all the things. One of them is meat loaf. Another was these little homemade french bread pizzas. Also sloppy joes can be made and wrapped in aluminum foil and frozen and put in the oven frozen still wrapped in the sluminum foil at 350 for 35 or so minutes. There were so many things.

LOL I just bought some candles SM [2008-10-03]
at the dollar store - I actually prefer them. I think because they are such cheap candles that the scent is not as strong as the nicer ones, but for me it is perfect - just enough to smell nice without being overpowering. I was just thinking I could buy 325 candles for the price of 1 of those Jo Malone candles. LOL

And get thee to a doctor - you have classic symptoms sm [2008-10-01]
of DEPRESSION. Feeling weighed down, exhausted, too tired, not enjoying life and activities of daily living - you may need some chemical intervention to perk up. Plus get outside 30 minutes every day for some natural sunlight. TAKE SOME ME TIME - You need it. Life is short and why, oh why, be miserable in the short time that you have?

we are closing on a house next month and mortgage [2008-09-17]
need to come up with some cheap ideas too!! I have several baskets that i have collected over the years and plan on going to the Dollar Tree and getting girlie stuff and filling them up for around $5-10 each, depending on size. My family knows this year is going to be hard on us, so that helps!

Same here - closing on house end of next month [2008-09-17]
and these ideas are great. I did craft projects for Christmas last year and was a bit overwhelmed because I started to late, so this year I'll need to get started earlier. I love the family tree idea, as well. I may have to borrow that one. Thanks!

2- month window [2008-09-09]
and then therewoneven be a way to give a bad rating of the dealer.

have you ever bought something off of Ebay & it didn't work... [2008-09-09]
so you try to get the company to take it back by lying and saying that it was a gift? You don

No, ask your doctor. [2008-08-22]
It's a proven medical fact that most people on Depo gain weight. It's hormonal. If you didn't that's great, but that doesn't give you the right to judge the people who did. All hormone-altering meds have the potential to make you gain weight, and Depo is one of the worst. It has some great benefits, but bottom line is MANY, MANY people gain weight while on it.

I just bought a grain mill and love it [2008-08-17]
http://www.crockettscorner.com/mill.html She also sells a DVD that shows other ways to prepare wheat seeds like in the crockpost. It's much cheaper than cereal off the shelf! I don't have an electric mixer but I hear good reviews about the electrolux http://www.pleasanthillgrain.com/magic_mill_dlx_mixer.aspx I've heard this bread machine works with whole wheat but do not have one: http://www.pleasanthillgrain.com/zojirushi_bread_makers.aspx

Boobage - SM [2008-11-21]
I feel ya, girlfriend...I wear a 32DD and the choices are so limited. Believe it or not, ICurvation. I bought a couple of them when they were on sale because they were really cute (black with pink ribbon trim and leopard print demi-cup with pink ribbon trim), but didn't really expect much from them and figured they'd just look nice. Imagine my surprise when not only did they look great, they actually provided support, lol!!! I found that the demi-cup is actually even MORE supportive than the full cup style, which I hadn't expected. Have fun and show those girls off to full advantage :-)

Help is a safety net you have paid for sm [2008-11-21]
Food stamps are a safety net we all pay for, all forms of public assistance are things we have been paying for all along. TAKE the help you need! Do move closer to family if you possibly can. I have been in your shoes myself. I lost my home to foreclosure 4 years ago because of having a near-fatal drug interaction and losing my job of nearly 7 years. I made a couple of moves and finally ended up in a small town out of state from where I had lived for 30 years. I lived with a close friend for about 9 months and had the opportunity to buy a mobile home for $3000. The people I bought it from said I could make payments and I was able to pay it off in 5 months. It needed a lot of work and it has gotten it, most of which I have done myself. This project really helped me to regain parts of myself I had lost. It gave me a reason to get up and get going on my days off. I turned this ugly old thing into a lovely, comfortable home I cherish. I have lost about 50-60 lbs since living here and I have brought the idea of vastly cutting expenses in line with making more money. The end result is that I am very well off financially, better than in my entire life. DO get medication to help you if you can. I didn't have medication to help because I am allergic to every psychotropic in existence. I did this by pulling myself up by the boot straps, but if I could have had help, I would have. There IS a brighter future out there. You CAN have that brighter future because you DESERVE IT. That said, no one expects you to get there alone!!! Don't be embarrassed to ask and receive help. You will be able to help others later. Years ago, when my kids were young, I was a single parent, no support and it was Christmas time. My kids didn't even have adequate clothing or food. A neighbor I hardly knew handed me a Christmas card. Inside was a $100 gift card to K-Mart. She said that many years before that, she had been in my shoes and someone had given her $100 one Christmas, she was now paying this forward to me. The only provision was that I return this favor when I could, and that I bought something for myself too because I deserve nice things for my hard work. It was a turning point for me. I have been more of a giver since. Although I could have paid this back last year, I didn't know anyone who would appropriately benefit. This year, I do and I had to tell her that I was going to do this and why. She cried and felt embarrassed because, she said, she was usually in the position to give and it hurt a little to receive. I reminded her that she was GIVING me the gift of giving with pleasure. Others are going to give to you with pleasure, love, friendship and concern for your well being. TAKE IT. One day you'll post back here about how good things are and I'll want to hear it.

Also I want to add....sm [2008-11-21]
As other posters mentioned an antideppresant can do a lot of good too. Go see a doctor. I have taken Zoloft for years.

How exciting for you -- sm [2008-11-21]
I My mom always drug me out an hour before the stores opened. The ads usually come out in Thursday In the past, I Get the paper and makea game plan. Some stores open an hour or 2 later than others, so you may be able to get to both in time for the specials you Wal-Mart generally has a lot of specials, especially in the toys dept. Our Wal-Mart gives you a map when you enter to tell you where each BF special is located in the store. They put some stuff in strange places -- like TVs in the meat dept, computers in dairy, etc. It Ask the Wal-Mart greeter when you enter. Our Wal-Mart is also open 24 hours, as are most, which means no waiting outside. We usually arrive an hour before the sales start so we can be in position for the item. Obviously, the most-sought after items are electronics, so be there early if you Target is 1 of my favorite places because their specials run all weekend, not just until 11 a.m. (I hope it They usually open an hour after Wal-Mart. I usually head there second because even though the specials run all weekend, they do run out of stock. Kohl The cash can be redeemed usually starting the Sunday after Black Friday. Don If there General advise: Wear comfortable shoes. Be polite to others, but don If you got there first, it Make sure you and DH have cell phones so you can communicate if you get separated. Most importantly, HAVE FUN!!!! Let us know how you make out afterwards.

Ok curious here. What is the gas...sm [2008-11-21]
price in your town? Here it is in the $1.70s range. I havena week but that is what I am seeing now. What about you? By the way, I am in South Mississippi.

For my fellow Black Friday shoppers, a little tip [2008-11-20]
Don I know they may seem like a great deal, but usually those items are only $20 to $50 less than they normally would be. The aggravation of trying to get it isn I generally go for the smaller deals -- like the cool PJs on sale and the board games or DVDs on sale. These are great sales. One year, I got 3 Fisher Price/Hasbro games for my 5-year-old for $3 each. DVDs were only $5 each. There were3-piece fleece PJs for $9. These are best deals in my opinion. I Then I spent the next month trying to find one anywhere for my kid for Christmas. I go out early on Black Friday for the excitement and some bargains, but never the big ticket stuff. I have that bought before then and stored away safe and sound. To me, it's like tailgating -- the thing that gets me into the spirit of the season!

My husband is oblivious to our finances [2008-11-20]
Sometimes that It sounds like maybe your husband is too proud to tell his family that he can I I would suggest talking to the leader of his family, the person who hosts the get-togethers, and let them know that you do the finances and you just don It doesn I would certainly let your husband know that you are going to say something beforehand, but he doesn I For birthdays, we take the time to call and wish that person a happy birthday. We don My brother lives about 2 hours away, so we don Unless his family is loaded, I'm sure they'll understand. As for the glasses, I just took my son for new glasses yesterday. The eye doctor said he needs a new prescription, but I asked if just the lenses could be replaced and the frames reused. He said absolutely. Our insurance covers new frames, lenses and the exam, but my son has a tendency to break things at the most inopportune time. We just bought him these glasses in June because he broke them and according to the insurance, it wasn Now that he is eligible for everything new, we asked for just the lenses. If he breaks his frames later in the year, we can just get new frames (covered by insurance) and pop the lenses in. The only problem there would be is they discontinue his frames because the new lenses probably wouldn So, something to consider here is, if your stepchild needs a new prescription and already has glasses, then I would check with your lawyer to see if you can just buy new lenses for the current frames. The frames are what normally cost the most anyway.

My husband can't say no to people either...sm [2008-11-20]
Unless he gets mad about something. We don't really work it out. I am usually just stuck as you say being the bad guy or give in. Find comfort in the fact that you aren't the only one who struggles with bills. I bought my son a Playstation 3 for X-mas this year for $400 but the only way I was able to do that was to put back money all year and hide it. It seems just typical man, most anyway, that you tell them and tell them but they don't pay you any mind or they don't want to hear it. Just sit him down and talk and tell him it isnno. Throw in some tears, which shouldn't be hard to do, for more effect. Maybe he will feel bad.

Anyone go through a divorce w/younger kids? sm [2008-11-20]
Iit just isn while I have always felt you don't throw around the word divorce unless you mean it. Well, I mean it now. I gave him an ultimatum - straighten himself out or I leave with the kids. I am not going to go through 5 years of this again. It is affecting the kids, and my son is acting out to the point of saying he wishes he had never been born. I am giving my husband until after Christmas to decide what he is going to do, and if he does not value our marriage more than his alcohol, I am moving out of state. This is not to keep him away from the kids but because my parents (divorced also) are in a different state than I am and I have no family at all here. Has anyone had to make a decision like this? I donno other options. He refuses to go to counseling or to see a doctor about what I am positive is depression. Any tips or suggestions? Sorry to dump on everyone like this, thanks for reading.

I need some help here -- [2008-11-20]
I am so depressed... I don I just filed bankruptcy 2 years ago because of this job. My income changed so drastically that I lost everything. My car, my home, all of it.I just got things back on track earlier this year and now this crap has to start all over again. I do not foresee being able to make my rent payments on my new house that I just moved into, my cable will be turned off tonight at midnight for nonpayment, I have an old car now and everything keeps tearing up on it and I cannot afford to fix it, I just looked in my closet and I have no clothes to wear anymore, I have gained 50 pounds, I cry all the time, I am by myself all the time in this house, my family all live about 50 miles from me, so it is not affordable to drive there all the time, I have no friends, and as you can tell, I am seriously DEPRESSED!!! I don I have done everything. I have no life outside of my home anymore. I never go out, I never take trips, my 5 year old grandson just this weekend asked me why I did not buy him a birthday present for his birthday last month (no money) and Christmas is coming up, which of course will be more of the same since there is no money... Sorry to unload, just needed somewhere to go for a minute...

Sorry you are feeling so down (sm) [2008-11-20]
First of all, relax. You need to go to a doctor and get on an antidepressant? No insurance? If you can get the money to go to the doc for one visit, you can get them to prescribe an antidepressant that is on Walmart's $4 list and get it for $4 a month. Call United Way and see if they can direct you where to get help with your rent. Don't worry about whether or not you have cable, you'll be okay without that unless you need it for your job? Don't worry about not being able to give Christmas gifts...just explain that you don't have the money. People will understand and your grandson can have it explained to him. I have the same isolation issues that you do because of the job. Can you go to a temp agency and see about getting a job outside of your house so you can be around people more? There is a website called Exercisefriends.com where you can meet people in your area who want exercise buddies, maybe just someone who is starting out trying to walk every day or something like that (not sure what your fitness level is). Or advertise on Craigslist for a walking buddy (but be careful of course when first meeting the person). I met one of my best friends this way and have known her for 4 years now. If you want an email buddy feel free to email me. I think everyone is struggling right now and it is hard. I would be happy to have you vent to me via email all you want. :-)

I've been there [2008-11-20]
I have been in your shoes. Last year my husband died unexpectedly at age 56, I literally woke up one morning and he was dead in our bed next to me (aneurysm). That started a downhill spiral . . . . since then I I canhow depressed III am working now and starting to pull myself up out of the dark hole I've been in. The poster above is right. You need to see a doctor. I found out that most major health systems have programs for those of us with no insurance and no money. Call their financial offices and just tell them point blank you need to be seen and you have no insurance. They will not refuse you. I found a clinic near my house that is part of a largehospital. I was able to see a doctor for a physicalandget my annual Pap and mammogram done at no charge. They gave me samples of my medications (I have asthma) for a few months until I had insurance again. They prescribed an antidepressant which worked wonders and they gave me that as samples each month. Move closer to your family. You My family has been supportive of all the decisions I Spend time with yourgrandchild, kids can make you feel so much better.If you I did. I didn Forjust myselfI was given 174.00 a month for food and it helped outtremendously. I know it You may be hesitant to take free medical care or ask for food benefits, but remember THIS IS ONLY TEMPORARY and you will get back on your feet. It may take a while, but you will make it. Good luck to you.

Thanks for the suggestions. [2008-11-20]
Where the step is concerned it won't help. The situation is what it is and I knew it when we married. It's just frustrating at times but I know it is only temporary. I would hate to be the hateful ex who treats someone this way. It must be a terrible life to live constantly dreaming of ways to hurt your ex and his family instead of enjoying your own family and knowing that your child is well taken care of. As for the family stuff. I have tried to talk to the leaders of the family and they looked at me like I was a complete loon. That's fine. They can do what they want. He can do what he wants, but our budget is what it is and that will mean less for his child. Next year I WILL have a xmas fund set up so that I can provide for our kids and we don't end up in this holiday mess again. If nothing else $20 a month is more than what we have now and I'm sure I can scrape that together if I really try. Thanks for your help. :) I wish I could be oblivious like your husband!

I agree with the posters below. [2008-11-20]
You need to move closer to family and see a doctor. You can also find the local social services department and they will provide free medications for 6 months. you will have to see one of their doctors but and fill out some paperwork but that's the only catch. Depression is higher around the holidays. The weather, finances, family, on top of every day stresses can be overwhelming. Being in this antisocial job doesn't help either. I have often thought of getting something a few days a week just to get out of the house. I think it would do anyone good. Know that things could always be worse and they will get better. Your grandson is young, he doesnwhere as this is a common occurrence in kids. I thought it was only my child but since have found many others are the same. Keep your head up and do what you can. It's ok to cry and vent to others. Don't keep it all bottled up inside. You will be surprised to find who your true friends and family are when you open up and really need them.

We have been spending less than 100 [2008-11-19]
And we are starving. DH took over going to the grocery store from me (He thought I spent too much when I would spend about 150 a week.) It has been months since we do not have a bare cupboard. I am not complaining. I understand we are broke and he needs to pay the creditors. But the one person who has pretty much stopped eating is me. I am home all day and there is never bread to make a sandwich and I often pass up supper because I am tired of eating junky stuff like mac and cheese or spaghetti with meat sauce. He and our 11 year old son, on the other hand eat thirds of whatever meal it is. I get kind of annoyed. Our littlest boy and middle girl eat very little. All 3 take their lunch to school. I say to DH either stop eating so much (for him and the older boy) or buy more. He flips his eyes at me. We even stopped getting microwave popcorn which used to fill them up. So, now I am hoping to work extra to go to the grocery store myself and put an extra 100 a week in myself, but I keep running out of work. You see, this all started when we started running out of work in transcription about a year ago this fall, and my DH took over the bills. Apparently food was the first to be cut. And, BTW I don't ever go anywhere because there is no gas in my car, and it has 2 flat tires. We live by the school and I borrow DH's car to take the kids but it is always on empty. We seem to make it every time. Oh, well. No need to complain. Just cutting back. The family is lucky I work at home, don't use gas, barely eat. But I do have to pay 10 bucks a month for nerve pills, because it is hard doing without. Like I said, when work picks up transcribing first place I am going after I get gas for the car is to the food store. Eventually I can repair my flat tires.

Too afraid of meat in restaurants now sm [2008-11-19]
Their meat may be old (sorry). If we do go, will only go to very busy place as even some bought at market are questionable. We have gift certificates which we appreciate as they are from busy places. Sometimes we have a UFO party. Unidentified freezer objects - if theycautious but things are rough right now for everyone, even the markets, restaurants, etc. I sure hope the turkeys are okay, even in good times webad ones - have to open them up and be sure. Martha likes to brine hers in salt water - not a bad idea these days to check them out before it's too late the day of or the day before. Fresh is best - wish we had our own farm as some do.

Never had enough to open a store...sm [2008-11-19]
But have bought and sold on ebay for over 10 years. Love it.

Ambrielle [2008-11-19]
I was really impressed with the feel of Ambrielle in the store but I cannot wear it for more than an hour without it irritating my skin. I'm not sure if it doesn't breath well or what the problem is but it becomes very uncomfortable and itchy. Of course I bought 3 of them at the time and can't return them now that I wore them and threw the tags in the trash thinking that they would be great, until I wore them for a length of time. I'm sure this doesn't happen to everyone but I would just suggest if anyone buys them to hang on to the tags a week or so to make sure. I also didn't care for the straps as they are fabric over a small string and they tend to twist as the day goes on and bunch up if you have to adjust them more than an inch or so.

My mom had a similar problem with [2008-11-19]
Ambrielle. She also bought several and took the tags off to wear them, but they still left her return them. She did save her receipt, though. JCP has always stood behind their products. I have bought and returned numerous things over the years and never had a problem. One time in particular comes to mind. I had purchased a Worthington purse for $40. A year later, I was still using it and it broke on me in the middle of the mall. I didn The clasp on the side just came apart. I took to the JCP in the mall and they allowed me to exchange it for a similar purse in the same price range. No receipt, no tags, and a year old. Can't beat that!

Here is how to measure yourself sm [2008-11-19]
Measure under your bust, around your rib cage where your bra band goes. Take that number and add 5 inches. That is your band size (i.e. 35 inches +5 you are a 40). Then, measure around the fullest part of your bust. This will determine your cup size. Using the BAND SIZE (adjusted measurement above)... 1 inch bigger = A cup 2 inches bigger = B cup 3 inches bigger = C cup 4 inches bigger = D cup 5 inches bigger = DD cup etc. By this method, I am supposed to be a 36C, but I know that Hanes Her Way and some Bali's I need a 36D. You still have to try stuff on, obviously (it should be obvious but I have bought thinking I knew and could not return them!) because styles and brands vary a bit. I will say this about Wonder Bras and others with removable padding in them...they just are not as nice and smooth as one that is molded foam for pushing up. I think it is either Vasserette or Bali that makes several styles with foam cups with the pad molded in. And...your bra should fit on the very last hook always and be parallel to the floor, not riding up in back or front. You should not look like your breastages are pushed squished up towards middle. That is not like pushing up, that is from cups that are too close together to start with, the wrong size bra! I used to wear a 38, but I didneven and only one cup would be full at a time. Umm they were too close together? I got a 38 and discovered I had more chest than I had thought. Now, I have dropped 55 lbs and I am back to a 36. So, if you shift weight, remeasure.

I live alone now, but I remember other times sm [2008-11-19]
I am vegan and a celiac, not choices here...I am allergic to most proteins. I spend about $40-$50 one time a month and about $75 another time, as I only shop twice a month. I will go and have a huge bill of about $150 when I stock up, but that is only every 3 or 4 months. I DO keep an extensive pantry and every fall I splash out on about $200 worth of canned goods for the winter. I live in a very rural place and you can't always get out on the road to get anything. I buy the pantry dry goods primarily at Walmart and buy their own brand. I buy rice in large bags because that is primarily what I eat, and I keep 5 or 6 kinds...as many as I can find. Buying stuff to make celiac bread is extremely expensive and I don't have bread like things very much because of that, and I even make my own flour mixes, but it is still expensive. When I had a family, I fed 6 of us on $250 a month, and it was not that long ago. I would go every 3rd month for bulk dry goods. I baked all our bread. We ate primarily fresh fresh and vegetables, beans and tofu. The kids had eggs and cow's milk, but I didn't because I am allergic. We always had plenty of food, except for bread. Although I baked 8-10 round can loaves 5 times in 2 weeks, we never had bread, and I can't eat it! LOL They never seemed to grow tired of oven warm bread with my homemade canned preserves and if I made 8 loaves, only 4 or 5 made it to the next day.

How about ideas for siblings and their families? Here's one [2008-11-19]
I have three siblings, with spouses and children. Not only is it expensive to buy for all of them, but it Last year I went to a craft store and bought cheap baskets on sale. I bought each of them a 2-month subscription to the movies that you get through the mail,NetFlix (can do Blockbuster if you want). I put the gift certificate in the basket along with the big boxes of candy that they sell at the show (.99 cents apiece at Walgreens), a few packets of microwave popcorn, and a 6-pack of their favorite soda. They loved it and everybody enjoyed the movies over the next couple of cold winter months. You can purchase the movie gift certificates on line at their website.

I have taken pics from previous gatherings [2008-11-19]
and bought cute pic holders and (like at Claire's and put the pic along with the gift care on that. Guess that would be more for girls, but for boys you, depeneding on their age and likes, you could put it in a baseball cap or something like that.

We only buy for our two sons, and they are older. [2008-11-19]
The youngest (18) wants a decent digital camera, so I think about $250 to $300 range plus some stocking stuffers. Oldest son is easily pleased. HeIndiana Jones style hat, and a book so far. We may round out his gifts with cash, since he's a starving college student. Husband and I do not exchange gifts. My birthday is the day after Christmas, and that is just dinner out for the two of us. Our 24th anniversary is in January, and I already know that I want to get him an iPod. His 50th birthday is in April, and I would love to have a party for him. I'm definitely saving up for that, but it will be a relaxed party. While are Christmas will be fairly simple, looking ahead, I'm trying to budget for some other things.

dollar store [2008-11-19]
One year was particularly bad and I went to the dollar store and bought 64 things and wrapped every one. It was quite an impressive hill under the tree.