Making A List, Checking it...Regularly
It's January, and you're looking at your credit card statement, or surrounded by the holiday junk that still needs to be put away, or at thank you notes that still need to be written. Why in the world should you be getting ready for NEXT Christmas already? And if you can be convinced that you should be preparing, WHAT, exactly, should be you be doing now?
If you're going to get your shopping done early this year, you need a plan of attack. And that plan starts with your shopping list. In fact, this is the perfect time to begin making your Christmas list -- while you can still remember who you gifted in 2008 that should be on your 2009 list. Here are categories to consider:
- Family
- Friends
- Co-workers
- Employees
- Caretakers
- Club or group
- Service providers (e.g., hairdresser, sanitary workers, parking garage employees)