Advent: Deck the Rented Halls

Happy November! I am so, so interested in how other people handle Christmas decor. On one hand, I'm always reading on budgeting blogs that seasonal decorations are often the unbudgeted extra $50-100 that tips families over the edge. But it's also a dark time of year when decorations can really lift the spirits. For me (as with almost all things!) the key is to get as much bang for your buck as possible. The more classic and simple you keep your decor choices, the more affordable the season is, plus the less you have to store the rest of the year!

Advent: Make Your Shopping War Plan

Confession: I despise Christmas shopping. I like winter, I adore shopping, and I love family, so in theory this should be when I thrive. In reality, I'm often left feeling overwhelmed, unappreciated and burnt out. After realizing that I felt this way year after year, I decided that I needed to treat Christmas shopping like the huge undertaking it is by employing some hardcore strategizing.