Back to newsletter list
************************************
MANY HAPPY RETURNS!
************************************
WELCOME TO HOMEBODIES
December 26, 2006
Volume 7, Issue 52
Weekly encouragement and empowerment e-zine
for stay-at-home parents and working parents
considering the at-home lifestyle
Your Hostess - Cheryl Gochnauer, author of
"Stay-at-Home Handbook", "So You Want to Be a
Stay-at-Home Mom", "Mom to Mom" and founder of
http://www.homebodies.org
To subscribe,
mailto:admin@stretcher.com?subject=HomebodiesSubscribe
To ***,
mailto:admin@stretcher.com?subject=Homebodies***
To change address,
mailto:admin@stretcher.com?subject=HomebodiesChange
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
THIS WEEK'S ARTICLES:
"Have a Blast Without the Booze: New Years Eve Party Ideas" by Homebodies
founder Cheryl Gochnauer
"After Christmas Sales: The Most Wonderful Season of All” by Homebodies
columnist Tawra Kellam, editor of Living on a Dime
(http://www.livingonadime.com)
"Credit Card Protection" by Homebodies columnist Gary Forman, founder of The
Dollar Stretcher (http://www.stretcher.com)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
FIRST, A NOTE FROM ONE OF OUR SPONSORS:
Create Your Own Online Diary or Journal.
As easily as exchanging e-mail with friends, writing a
private note, or uploading a photo, OurStory helps capture
the memories and moments from life's journey in a
permanent, secure online archive that you share with the
people who matter in your life. Each detail is organized by
date, place and topic on your personalized timeline...
letting you add chapters, see the whole picture, and easily
find whatever you're looking for.
OurStory can also be used as an online journal, diary, blog
or scrapbook.
Try it for FREE.
http://www.jdoqocy.com/click-1373992-10428561
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
HAVE A BLAST WITHOUT THE BOOZE:
NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY IDEAS
Homebodies
By Cheryl Gochnauer
homebodies@comcast.net
Copyright 2006
Whether your reasons for passing on the cocktails are rooted in religion,
culture or personal preference, an alcohol-free New Year’s Eve can still
deliver a festive kick.
Gather your friends, mark your calendar and check out these ideas for some
wild and crazy fun this December 31. Remember to bring something salty,
something sweet, a two-liter of your favorite soda – and get ready to
par-tee!
• KARIOKE AND SERIOUSLY BAD STAND-UP COMEDIAN NIGHT: Pack a friend’s family
room, turn up the music and pass the mike. Booing and heckling encouraged.
C-E-L-E-B-RA-T-E good times, come on!
• COLLEGE REUNION: Don’t wait for your 10th or 20th anniversary. Call up
those old school buddies now. Have everyone bring mementos – pictures,
yearbooks, sports jerseys, etc. Check with your former university and see if
you can rent some dorm rooms for the night.
• 70’S TEEN IDOL FLASHBACKS: Dig out your old Partridge Family, Monkees and
Bobby Goldsburo albums. Decorate with neat-o Donny Osmond, Jackson Five and
psychedelic velvet posters. Use black lights and lava lamps, and dress in
anything beaded, fringed or polyester. Groovy, Man.
• MAD MAKEOVERS: Forget Avon and Mary Kay. Launch a makeup and hairstyling
session more reminiscent of the Tazmanian Devil than Barbie. You don’t do
your own hairdo; your friends do your do for you. The results can be
hilarious, especially if you invite the guys.
• GAMES NIGHT: If you’ve got pool cues or a ping-pong table, you’ve got a
good start on hosting this one. Divide your home into different game areas,
with each room (dining, living, den, basement – even the garage) featuring a
different activity, like 8-ball, charades, board games or Bop-It. At the
bell, everybody switches rooms. If it’s warm enough, include the basketball
goal outside.
• TESTOSTERONE PARTY: Play M&M poker (where the stakes go as high as a
fistful of peanut candies). Watch macho movies like “Speed”, “Rambo” and
anything with Clint Eastwood. Tell whopper stories and smoke fake cigars.
*****
Have you read Cheryl’s books, “So You Want to Be a Stay-at-Home Mom”
(InterVarsity Press, 1999) and “Stay-at-Home Handbook” (InterVarsity Press,
2002)? Request a copy of each at your local library, favorite bookstore, or
online at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0830823360.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
CHECK OUT THIS LEAD FROM
ANOTHER OF OUR VALUED SPONSORS:
Save money with tons of coupons you can print from your
computer every time you go shopping.
Save BIG with:
Grocery Coupons . . . . . . Free Samples
Pet Coupons . . . . . . . . Baby Coupons
Diet Offers . . . . . . . . Travel Coupons
Free Stuff
www.jdoqocy.com/click-1373992-10296455
Just click here!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Would you like to place an ad in this newsletter? Contact
mailto:marketing@stretcher.com?subject=Homebodies and discover the modest
rates for reaching this targeted market.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
AFTER CHRISTMAS SALES: THE MOST
WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR
Living on a Dime
By Tawra Kellam
editor@livingonadime.com
Copyright 2006
After Christmas sales can be a great way to save money on things you would
buy anyway, without paying full price. As you see the things that are on
sale, try to predict which of those things you are likely to need during the
next year.
Don't limit your thinking to Christmas! Consider how you may use after
Christmas items for other occasions in the coming year. Be creative!
Don't go crazy and buy everything they have just because it is marked down.
If you buy 20 of something you don't need and eventually just get rid of it,
you didn't really save by getting it on clearance.
If you want to get some great deals but you also want a lot of selection,
you'll want to show up in the store pretty early on December 26th. You can
get deeper discounts if you wait several days or a week for the stores to
mark items all the way down to 75% off. The down side of waiting is that the
item you want may be gone if you wait too long. If you really have to have
it, you probably want to get it sooner rather than wait.
If there's something that you want at Wal-Mart, you will definitely want to
get there the first thing on December 26th because Wal-Mart attracts the die
hard after Christmas shoppers who buy like hungry locusts.
You can often find good buys at grocery and drug stores a week or two after
Christmas because there's not as much demand for after Christmas items in
those stores.
Here are some of the things to consider as you visit after Christmas sales:
BUY NEW CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS FOR NEXT YEAR. This seems obvious to some of
us, but if you've never thought about it, you can usually get lights, lawn
decorations, indoor decorations and other holiday-specific items for 50-75%
off right after Christmas. We like to add to our display every year and it
is much less expensive to buy after Christmas this year rather than before
Christmas next year. Even our Christmas tree was a 50% off after Christmas
buy. (Don't try this with live trees! They don't keep well! ;-)
BUY “BABY’S FIRST CHRISTMAS” ITEMS (pajamas, bibs, ornaments, etc.) for
those friends and relatives expecting babies in the next year.
PURCHASE HOLIDAY CRAFT ITEMS. Christmas ribbons, needlework, and other craft
supplies are often marked down to 75% off. Get started on those projects and
get them done early. Don't forget to get enough red ribbon and craft
supplies for Valentines day.
BUY YOUR RED VALENTINE’S DAY AND GREEN ST. PATRICK’S DAY CANDY on clearance
after Christmas. You can also freeze Christmas chocolate for year-round
baking. Christmas isn't just red and green any more. You can get every color
under the rainbow now. If you are decorating a room or having a special
party, such as an anniversary you can purchase your supplies for 75% off.
I've also purchased things like specialty lights for my son who collects
anything that will light up.
PURCHASE GIFTS FOR NEXT CHRISTMAS AND OTHER HOLIDAYS. You can often find
wonderful gift bath sets that make great gifts for teachers at 50% off.
There are also bath sets for kids, make up sets for girls and cologne and
perfume for men and women that you can give for any occasion. I purchase
several extra girls and boys gifts sets for the kids to take to birthday
parties. I buy hubby's cologne for the year (again, as a gift set) and give
it to him on Father's Day. My sister in law liked a particular large red
candle that I happened to notice was on sale after Christmas. I purchased it
for $2 instead of the $10 regular price.
PLAN FOR A WEDDING. If you have a wedding coming up, look for decorations
with your wedding colors after Christmas. You can also get tablecloths and
napkins for your household on clearance after Christmas. I have burgundy and
hunter green for the colors in my house. You can buy these at up to 75% off
and use them every day.
BUY WRAPPING PAPER. Stores have colored and white tissue paper and wrapping
paper that isn't necessarily just for Christmas. You can also buy Christmas
paper for next to nothing after Christmas and save it for next Christmas or
use it white side out for other holidays.
CATCH THE GINGERBREAD MAN. I buy the pre-packaged gingerbread kits that are
now available for my kids. For $2 each, it is much easier to have the house
already baked and rolled out. I save them for the kids to decorate next
year. Of course we don't eat them.
I buy about 3/4 of my gift items for the year the days and weeks after
Christmas. By doing this, I save hundreds of dollars on gifts over the year.
*****
Tawra Kellam is the editor of http://www.LivingOnADime.com. Tawra and her
husband paid off $20,000 debt in 5 years on $22,000 a year income.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
CREDIT CARD PROTECTION
The Dollar Stretcher
By Gary Foreman
gary@stretcher.com
Copyright 2006
Dear Dollar Stretcher:
Over and over we hear "never give out credit card info over the phone." I
understand that. But if I place a phone order, I need to give my credit card
number. Then we also hear "never give out the security code on the back of
your credit card." To place an order recently I had to give the last 3
digits of the security code. The clerk told me that "I can't ship your order
without it." She didn't know why it was needed. The only other options, mail
a check or money order extends shipping time by 2-3 weeks!
I'm doing everything I'm advised to avoid identity theft. I check our credit
reports often. I call for my credit card balance weekly. Yes, I shred
(cross-cut, of course). I've "opted out" of every mailing and phone nuisance
possible. In reality what's a person to do?
- Corinne, Las Vegas, NV
Corinne is correct to be concerned with identity theft. Experts estimate the
costs to consumers at more than $2 billion each year.
But she's also correct that we need to deal with reality. We take
'acceptable risks' every day. For many of us, including Corinne, shopping by
phone is a valuable convenience - one that exposes us to extra risk. What
can we do to keep those risks to a minimum?
The first rule is simple. If someone calls you, do not give them your card
number. No matter what reason they give. Often they'll say that they're not
'selling' anything. They'll claim to only be 'verifying information'. Don't
fall for it.
Do not respond to any email that asks you to make a phone call or visit a
website to verify your credit card information. No honest business will ask
you to do that.
Be very suspicious of any offers that come to you via email. Thieves have
been known to send out emails pretending to be from a well known store. The
email offer will contain a phone number. The phone number belongs to the bad
guys, not the store. If you call you'll be giving your card info to a thief!
Bottom line: any incoming contacts by phone or email should be treated with
suspicion if they ask for personal information.
OK, so we know not to respond to people coming to us and asking for our
credit card info. But let's suppose that Corinne sees something in a catalog
she received in the mail and wants to order it by phone.
The first thing is to make sure that you have the right phone number. Get
the number from the catalog.
When placing phone orders avoid using a cordless or cell phone. It's not
terribly common, but it is possible to eavesdrop on those calls.
If you have more than one credit card, you may want to choose one to be your
internet/phone card. Make sure it has a low credit limit and notify the bank
that you only want the limit raised with your written permission.
Corinne can expect to be asked about the 'security code.' It is a 3 or 4
digit number printed on the card. It is not embossed like the rest of the
credit card number. It's purpose is to verify that the person placing a
phone or internet order actually has the credit card in their possession.
The idea is to protect you from someone who's trying to use your credit card
number on a phone or internet order.
The clerk was correct in saying she couldn't process the transaction without
it. If your card has a code, the banks require merchants to use it.
If Corinne doesn't think the store should have her security code she really
shouldn't give them her credit card number, either.
She is already taking some other protective measures. Corinne is wise to
shred old statements or anything else that displays her credit card number.
She probably also has a list of all of her credit card account numbers and
the phone number of the card issuer stashed in a safe place. That'll be
handy if her card is ever lost.
A quarterly check of your credit score is a good idea. Checking her credit
account balance is fine, but probably not necessary unless you use your
cards frequently in risky situations.
If someone does get your card number you are only liable for $50 in
fraudulent charges on your credit card as long as you report it promptly
according to federal law (the Fair Credit Billing Act). However, the damage
to your credit report could be substantial. And, could take months to clear
up.
Finally, if Corinne needs more info on this topic or other consumer issues
she can get help from the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-FTC-HELP.
*****
Gary Foreman is a former financial planner who currently edits The Dollar
Stretcher.com website and newsletters. Thousands of articles to stretch your
day and your dollar!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
PUBLICATION INFORMATION
Copyright 2006 Cheryl Gochnauer. All rights reserved. For permission to
reprint an article, please write homebodies@comcast.net.
All articles are printed with the author's prior consent. It is assumed that
any questions, tips or replies to questions may be reprinted. All letters
become the property of Cheryl Gochnauer.
Cheryl Gochnauer does not assume responsibility for advice given. All
advice should be weighed against your own abilities and circumstances and
applied accordingly. It is up to the reader to determine if advice is safe
and suitable for their own situation.
Homebodies is a free weekly e-mail newsletter.
To subscribe,
mailto:admin@stretcher.com?subject=HomebodiesSubscribe
To ***,
mailto:admin@stretcher.com?subject=Homebodies***
To change address,
mailto:admin@stretcher.com?subject=HomebodiesChange
Would you like to place an ad in this newsletter? Contact
mailto:marketing@stretcher.com?subject=Homebodies and discover the modest
rates for reaching this targeted market.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
_________________________________________________________________
Get FREE Web site and company branded e-mail from Microsoft Office Live
http://clk.atdmt.com/MRT/go/mcrssaub0050001411mrt/direct/01/
---
You are currently subscribed to ds-homebodies as: ralrusu@gmail.com
To *** send any message to the following address:
leave-ds-homebodies-2263153L@hub.thedollarstretcher.com
