Archives for December 2013

Staying Organized During the Holidays

December 17, 2013 | Leave a Comment

This is a crazy time of year for most people. I have a relatively small family but every time slot of December is consumed with events. Between work parties, family gatherings, Christmas eve/day events and New Years plans, if you don’t stay organized it will be easy to get stressed out! I learned years ago that starting early with my organizing is what helps keep me calm.

Get a Calendar

I have a large central calendar on my fridge where I write out everything. No detail is too small. It is in a visible spot where I frequently look at it. I used to hide it in the cupboard but it wasn’t working for me. I got over the fact that it looked messy on the fridge and put it up! As soon as an event is planned write it out, even if it conflicts with something else, still write it down so you don’t forget. This is where you’ll have decisions to make. If you child’s Christmas concert is the same night as your staff party, something will have to give but this way you’re reminded what you have to RSVP to.

Write reminders on the calendar too since you’re likely to forget. We’re responsible for making the dinner rolls for our family dinner. I have a note written on the 23rd to remember the rolls giving me two days to find time to buy or make them.

Declutter

This is something I start in October/November. Around the same time I take out/put away the Halloween decorations is when I casually declutter certain areas of the home that accumulate over the year. Our crawl space, where most of our storage is, has a tendency to have stuff shoved in it throughout the year. One evening in November I reorganize it so everything is accessible and I can easily get the Christmas stuff in and out without making a huge mess. In the month of November I also make a point of organizing the closets and ”junk drawer” in our house. Christmas is so busy for us that I need to make sure I know where everything is so no time is wasted. My friend couldn’t find her (fake) Christmas tree this year so went and bought a new one. How do you lose a seven-foot tree? She found it when putting the new one away, imagine.

I also anticipate certain things like needing space to make room for gifts I know the little one will receive. Just today I cleaned out her closet and cleaned her room, getting rid of toys and clothes she doesn’t play with or fit into. Decluttering is also a great way to give back by donating unused things to charitable organizations or to sell unwanted items and fund your Holiday budget!

Clean!

The weeks leading up to Christmas I make sure the house has at least one good deep clean. Spending one day to make sure the house is nice and clean is much easier to maintain with frequent tidying than constantly trying to get one room done. If you have little kids I know this is hard. Get a babysitter for a day, or at least a few hours to dedicate to getting things cleaned and put away. Someone told me trying to put laundry away with a toddler running around is like blowing a fan onto a desk full of papers, and I could not agree more.Cleaning with kids is one step forward and at least four steps back. Send young kids away for the day when you clean and if they’re older have them help out.

The holidays are fun, family filled time. Stay organized so you can enjoy it all!

What do you do to stay organized?

Lifestyle Check List

December 16, 2013 | Leave a Comment

Life can get so busy and so full on that we often forget about putting everything into order ready for any unfortunate circumstances, or even when we pass on. Too often we claim we can’t afford to seek outside help, or we simply don’t have enough time, and yet, as asked by Saga when discussing your financial future, can you afford to put it off? When you consider how much we all worry about our finances, it makes perfect sense to seek out seasoned, professional help in order to settle those worries.

Make Sure You’re Prepared for the Future

As expected for any lifestyle check list, drawing up a Will is possibly the most important and crucial move you can make in putting your estate and assets into order. Considering that almost three out of five people won’t bother writing a Will, it’s now more vital than ever to make sure that your money and belongings go to the people you want them to go to. Furthermore, once you’ve drawn up your Will make sure to keep it up to date, although this might sound tedious, it’ll prevent any unpleasantness after you’ve gone – divorce, marriage, children and various other circumstances which can throw a spanner in the works if you don’t keep on top of your legal documentation. If you’re in need of help Saga is on hand to offer sound advice whatever your query.

Don’t Wait For Tomorrow What You Can Do Today

As well as Saga Legal allowing you to take out a Will, not to mention their other services such as insurance and health, you can also take this opportunity to put smaller, less legally orientated plans into action, such as finishing off any DIY projects you’ve been putting off. Just as we put off drawing up legal documents, we also put off various home improvements, because we feel we don’t have the time or the money, and yet these are all things that, once sorted, will leave you with a relatively easy and stress free means of keeping on top of your assets and estate.

Whatever you decide to organize and put on your check list, make sure you take the time to seek professional help from respected sources, with the right help you’ll find that the whole process speeds up and gets sorted a lot quicker.

How to Handle a Divorce and Maintain Your Kids’ Well-Being

December 15, 2013 | Leave a Comment

Divorce and separation are, without a doubt, difficult situations. This is even truer if you have children.

Divorce is a major shakeup in the lives of children because it doesn’t just dissolve a marriage but it also fundamentally changes the shape of our families. When you are going through a divorce, it is your job as a parent to guide your children through this period of their lives with the least amount of emotional scars and psychic wounds as possible. There is quite a bit that you can do, whether you have the cooperation of the other parent or not, to protect your children’s well-being.

Keep Communication Open

Don’t lie to your kids by giving them false hope or try to make your co-parent look bad. Be truthful but keep information age appropriate. Remember that as your children get older they may have new questions or concerns about their relationship with you and the other parent. Be sure that they know they can come to you at any time.

Give Lots of Reassurance

Remind your children that you love them, and that the other parent loves them, even if you can’t make a relationship work with your ex-spouse. Young children, especially, have a difficult time articulating their emotions. Help them by acknowledging their feelings even if they can’t name them.

Physical touch, such as giving hugs, relieves stress in children. Older children that receive regular physical contact are reportedly happier and have fewer behavioral problems. Everyone benefits from regular human contact, adults see the benefit of lowered blood pressure and better anxiety management. So be sure to show affection and hug your children.

Keep Routines

Routines are important for children. Predictability in their day to day life helps them understand and learn about the world around them. When children have routines, they feel safer and more in control of their lives. Managing change can be difficult for children, especially when large changes are brought on them suddenly.

Whenever possible, keep routines the same. Divorce creates tremendous change. Be consistent and stick to schedules for everyone’s sake. Having a familiar routines cuts down on stress levels.

Keep Adult Problems to Yourselves

“Don’t argue in front of the children” is pretty standard advice for any family but it has to go double when it comes to divorced families. Remember your co-parent is still your child’s family and always will be. Keep the details of the divorce between you and your ex.

Aim for Cooperation

When a divorce is contentious, it can be hard to bend. Hiring a child custody lawyer can sometimes be the most civil thing to do when your co-parent is uncooperative or determined to make life difficult. Learn how to tactfully set boundaries, but at the same time, be prepared to pick your battles.

If your ex is willing, consider attending co-parenting classes or at least trying to work past feelings of betrayal or mistrust that might follow a divorce. Put in place a parenting plan that respects the child’s relationship with each of his or her parents. Consider that the children of divorce fare better when there is cooperation between parents.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

Stress and anxiety can take a toll, even on children. If you think you are experiencing symptoms of depression, or if you think your family can benefit from talking about their feelings with a professional, don’t be afraid to seek help. Sometimes an impartial third party can give you some perspective on your situation.

Family and friends are another source of help and support. If you need someone to talk to, someone that can help with the kids, or someone to have margaritas with, family and friends might be the ones to call. Taking care of yourself will go a long way to keeping your house harmonious and your mind at ease.

In the end, remember that children are young but they are still people. Treat them with tenderness and courtesy and even the most chaotic periods of their lives can be overcome.

How Much is Too Much? Establishing Gift Guidelines with Children

December 11, 2013 | 2 Comments

Last week at work, a lady ended up bringing her daughter with her to her dental appointment. Her daughter sat quietly over in the corner reading a book while I treated her mom. At some point the young girl, less than 8, started asking me questions. Everything from why I have a mask on to what I was doing to her mom. So I could stop answering so many questions (which all led to more ”why’s”) I started asking her questions.

Given the time of year, I asked her if she was getting excited for Christmas. She immediately brightened right up and exclaimed, yes. We started chatting about the crafts she was making in school and what she was going to ask Santa for. My daughter being only 18 month old, I was curious to know what she was asking for and what she expected to get. She explained that her mom told her that Santa only has room for three presents in his sleigh so she had to think carefully about what she wanted.

Setting a Present Limit With Children

I though the three present limit was a good idea. We all know how out of control children’s lists can get, which can, in turn lead to disappointment. The little girl explained that since she’s only allowed to ask for three gifts, unless they were really big, ”like a horse” she would get them, no questions asked. I thought it to be interesting to know the same parent who set the three gift rule had her daughter to believe whatever she asks for within her three gifts, except horses would be given to her.

The little girl asked for, and expects to receive an iPad, $100 cash to shop with and a new Xbox one. What?!

Obviously I couldn’t really comment beyond, ”that’s a big list” since I wasn’t about to ask mom how she planned on doing that but to me, this list seems crazy to me. Again, I only have one child who is very young but she will not be raised to believe that Santa or mom and dad, will be providing close to $1,000 worth of gifts.

Even if you’re not a religious person, my opinion is that Christmastime is meant to be a time of year when we slow down, reflect on what we have, share gifts with ones we love, and reminisce. Simplify our lives for a few days, enjoy good food, bake cookies from scratch and focus on building memories, not things. I think it’s important that if you’ve decided to make gifts apart of your Christmas tradition, guidelines, or rules be set in place. The earlier you start the easier it will be.

Setting Realistic Gift Guidelines

Guidelines for not going overboard with gifts may include:

Setting a gift limit. Either in volume or price. If you set a three gift limit from Santa make sure they understand they are realistic with it. If you think it’s appropriate that they ask for a $400 gaming console, make sure they know the couldn’t possibly ask for both an iPad and cash as well. For older children, let them know early on that mom and dad have a Christmas budget to work with and they may not get everything they want.
Get them involved. Have your children help you shop. Have them shop with you for another family member and let them know the budget. Have them learn what that money can buy. This will help them have a better understanding of what they can ask for and what they may receive.
Open discussion. Especially with younger children, who’s understanding is still very much forming, help them with things like writing their letters to Santa. Explain that they may not be able to get everything they ask for.
Gift swap. This works especially well in larger families. Everyone draw someone’s name and you’re only responsible for gifts for that one person.
Reminders. It’s so easy to get caught up in the commercialism of Christmas. Remind your kids, and self, on a daily basis what the true meaning is (which may vary between individuals an families). Memories,not things.

I have had very sparse Christmases (in terms of gifts) and had years with more gifts that imaginable. I never feel any different about the season. I was taught early about the real meaning and to hold onto memories as much as I can. Learning to enjoy the simpler things in life will go a long way, even when Christmas is over for the year.

What are your thoughts on setting realistic gift guidelines?

Carnival of Financial Planning Kids Ain’t Cheap Edition

December 6, 2013 | 4 Comments

Let’s kick off this week’s Carnival of Financial Planning, Kids Ain’t Cheap Edition!

I’m excited to be hosting the carnival this week, and it’s great to be able to provide some great articles from around the web!

BUDGETING AND ECONOMICS

Jacob @ AllPersonalFinance writes Five Great Tips For Cutting The Cost of Owning a Business – Every business has a certain amount of overhead that cannot be avoided. These expenses make it possible to produce products or deliver a service. Many other costs, however, can often be lowered. Lowering ownership costs can increase margins and revenue over time. There are five great tips for cutting the cost of owning a business.

Kyle @ The Penny Hoarder writes 4 Ways to Save Money on Your Small Business Expenses – If you have a small business, it is almost just as important to minimize expenses, as it is to generate more revenue. If you don’t watch your expenses, you could easily find yourself running a deficit and struggling to maintain your business. Here are some simple tips to save money on your small business expenses.

Harry Campbell @ Your PF Pro writes Am I Ready for a Career in Financial Planning? – One of my goals during my three month work hiatus was to look into a career in financial planning. Even though I majored in aerospace engineering during college, it wasn’t until after I graduated and started working that I found out how much I liked helping people with their finances. People are usually surprised to discover that I’m so into personal finance considering my educational background. But I think the two go hand in hand; I base a lot of my investing principles/techniques off f

Daisy @ Suburban Finance writes Cheap Things to Do on New Years Eve – New Year’s Eve is notoriously expensive, but it doesn’t have to be that way. There are some fun things to do at home to ring in the new year, too.

Oscar @ Money is the Root writes Shop a Little Smarter This Holiday Season – Tis the season of giving, right? Wrong! It’s more like the season of shopping and buying things for others.

Danielle @ Saving Without a Budget writes What you should be Teaching your Teenager about Credit – One of the basic goals of every parent is to teach their child the lessons they need to know to be able to make it on their own when they become adults. Of all those lessons, one of the best that you can teach to your kids is how to handle credit.

Jack @ Money Saving Ethics writes Old Fashioned Money Saving Tips that Still Work – These days everyone is looking for newfangled ways to save money and, in the rush to do it, some people overlook old-fashioned tips and tricks that have been around for ages.

Lenny @ Best Money Saving Blog writes Frugal Habits that you can Copy from the Rich – We put together a number of frugal habits that the upper class have taken to using. Use them yourself and you will build financial independence and long-lasting wealth.

Andrea @ So Over This writes More Money, More Gifts: Effective Ways to Save on Holiday Shopping – There are so many people looking to save money during the holidays while also getting the gifts that they want for their family and friends. Fortunately, there are several effective ways that this goal can be accomplished.

Bob @ Dwindling Debt writes How Much Do You Actually Need for Retirement? – It might seem rather difficult to determine exactly how much money you need for retirement, as there are so many variables that come into play.

Sam @ The New Business Blog writes Not All Mortgages are Created Equal: Three Reasons Why – In 2013 fewer Americans than ever put pretax dollars a way to cover future medical expenses but changes in 2014 will make these flexible spending accounts bit more attractive. These new changes will actually give taxpayers a bit of extra time to use their money.

Marissa @ Thirty Six Months writes Conference Planning: Not for the Weak – The days were still long and humid when I first sat down to plan out the idea of Canada’s first fashion and beauty conference in Toronto. My first call was to Anjali, our content and programming Director, who sat down and listened to me without judgement. I was scared. I tend to get these crazy ideas in my head, and recruit people who I think would be great.

Aaron @ Aaron Hung writes How to Get a Credit Card for Your Startup – Some argue that the best way to avoid debt is to pay it down right away. This is not always the case. If you dream of running your own business someday, you have likely weighed the option of using a credit card against using capital for financial needs.

Monica @ Monica On Money writes It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas! – I personally have decided to skip Black Friday shopping this year, mostly because in the past I have spent a lot of money on Black Friday for random things on sale that I did not need. It is tempting to buy something just because its on sale.

Read more at http://www.krantcents.com/the-best-small-investments-for-future-cash-flows#b4xkBhmrVefF01tY.99 @ KrantCents writes The Best Small Investments for Future Cash Flows – As many of us are averse to risk when it comes to money, here are a few of the best small investment options that are best for your future returns.

Andy Prescott @ Art of Being Cheap writes Why credit cards are the best way to pay – The fact of the matter is that credit cards are the best way to pay for all of your purchases. They are the most convenient way to pay, they are the cheapest way to pay, and they are the safest way to pay.

Sustainable PF @ Sustainable Personal Finance writes How Mobile Banking Can Help You and the Environment – Thanks to technology, it is possible to stay on top of your banking anytime you want. Not only is this helpful for you, but it can also be helpful for the environment.

Jason @ The Money Makers writes Olivia Wilde is Having a Baby: What are the first-month expenses? – Olivia Wilde recently announced her pregnancy with fiance Jason Sudeikis as she is due with her first child in the coming year. Although the couple have declined to reveal their due date, they likely are expecting to set aside a budget for their baby, even with their high incomes.

Adam @ Money Rebound writes Finding the Balance Between Saving Money and Living Life to the Full – Working through the challenges of enjoying life on a budget while finding that perfect middle ground.

FI Pilgrim @ FI Journey writes Avoid Overspending When Throwing A Pity Party – Do you have a tendency to spend money when you are having a pity party? Trying to make up for lost time, or make yourself feel better?

Mr. MWD @ My Wealth Desire writes Credit Card Common Mistakes: 3 Worst Reasons To Avoid Cash Advance – Getting a cash advance from a credit card is the easiest way to get money in time of emergency. However, you should be aware to not be a victim of bait-switch of your credit card providers

Pauline @ Reach Financial Independence writes Why I Will Not Leave an Inheritance – This is a guest post from Snarkfinance. Talking about the concept of inheritance is similar to running a marathon and then having to walk home.

Brian Fourman @ Luke1428 writes Be Intentional: How to Develop a Giving Plan – Feel like giving has become an obligation? Unsure about where to send your money? This five step plan will show you how to become intentional with your giving and maximize the return on your donation. Experience the joy and freedom that comes from giving wisely.

CAREER AND INCOME

Brent @ PersonalFinance-Tips writes Make More Money: Real Estate Tricks to Flipping Houses – Flipping real estate for a profit is not nearly as easy as some of the TV shows might suggest, but there are many professional house flippers who can attest to the profitability of this income opportunity. By following a few helpful tips, flipping houses can become a profitable and exciting income source for you.

Stu @ Poor Student writes Why You Should Graduate ASAP – Graduating from school as soon as possible can do a lot for your finances. It benefits a lot of people to be able to do so.

Adam @ Money Bulldog writes How Long Could You Live Without Your Salary? – The importance of having a backup plan when you suddenly lose your job.

Dollar @ Easy Extra Dollar writes 5 Tips For Choosing An Affiliate Program – One of the most popular and successful ways to make money online is with affiliate programs. Also called referral programs, affiliate marketing programs are commission based contracts. The concept is simple. When you send a surfer to a merchants website, you will earn a commission based on what that surfer spends on their site.

Little House @ Little House in the Valley writes Cash in on Your Creativity – If you’re the creative type, here are a few more ideas to make extra money that might take more time, but could turn into stable income:

DEBT AND CREDIT

Mike @ Personal Finance Journey writes Christmas time and your credit card spend – Do you understand completely your credit card and its features this Christmas before you begin spending? Are you using the right card for you the right way?

Tony @ We Only Do This Once writes Debt to Income Ratio Calculator – If you are trying to get a loan or a line of credit you may want to check your Debt to Income Ratio with an online debt to income ratio calculator.

Ted Jenkin @ Your Smart Money Moves writes Why Does Generation X Have Lifestyle Envy? – It’s official. For years and years everyone has labeled my generation (Generation X) the slacker generation.

Jon Haver @ Pay My Student Loans writes Five student loan repayment programs – You can get help if you are worried about paying back the student loans that are mounting with interest and keep growing every time you look at the bills that come in. You make payments, but it doesn’t seem to make much difference.

INVESTING AND SAVING

Dominique Brown @ YourFinancesSimplified writes Do This Not That! Obamacare Scams to Watch Out For – this dysfunctional federal website has spawned a range of Obamacare scams all over the internet.

Lauren @ L Bee and the Money Tree writes Holiday Gift Ideas for Pets (Giveaway!) – Do you give your pet a gift every holiday? It may sound weird to some, but for as long as I can remember, my family has been gifting our dog a present. Usually just one or two that stays wrapped underneath the tree. My mom is really good at remembering to always gift the family.

Mrs. Accountability @ Out of Debt Again writes Why Should You Stop Payment on a Check? – Checks are being used less by ordinary people, but the check business is alive and thriving in businesses.

CAPI @ Creating a Passive Income writes Single Day Jobs: Making Money Quick – Your demand for extra cash need not be dire to be worthwhile. There are a number of legitimate ways to make money quick – read here for a few ideas.

Hank @ Money Q&A writes The Three Best Online Shopping Tips And Tricks I Have Heard All Year – Scott Elling from CouponPal.com has several incredible online shopping tips and tricks for saving a ton of money this holiday season with coupons and other shopping life hacks.

Eva Baker @ TeensGotCents writes Faithful With a Few – Khaleef Crumbley – Khaleef Crumbley of ‘Faithful With A Few’ shares the story behind starting a biblical finance website and gives teens tips and ideas on managing money.

Luke @ Learn Bonds writes What Recent Bond Market Volatility Means For Investors – Here’s what you need to know.

Minimalist @ Minimalist Finance writes Batch Cooking to Save On Your Grocery Bill – Batch Cooking to Save On Your Grocery Bill has been published on Minimalist FinanceThere are many ways to cut back your grocery budget, such as shopping at discount stores, using coupons, and even shopping at stores like Costco to buy in bulk.

Tushar @ Earn More and Save writes How to Find Good Deals on Last Minute Christmas Gifts – Christmas is quickly approaching. If you’re like me you’ve done a little bit of shopping but still have quite a ways to go. I, for one, am not the type to battle the crowds on Black Friday to find a few deals.

IMB @ Investing Money writes Investing in Drone Technology – Ten years ago, the US had 50 drones in service. Drone technology is spreading quickly from the military to the private sector.

Bargain Babe @ BargainBabe.com writes My Christmas Shopping Secret to Save Extra 10% Off Everywhere – My Christmas Shopping Secret to Save Extra 10% off Everywhere – discounted gift cards!

Tushar @ Start Investing Money writes What Has Happened With Twitter’s Shares Since the Launch Date? – When Facebook launched their IPO it went through more than its share of teething troubles. Twitter took heed of those mistakes and was decidedly more cautious when it came to launching its own IPO.

Wayne @ Young Family Finance writes Easy & Best Way to Do Your Christmas Shopping – It’s almost Thanksgiving, and while that means a lot of things, it means, perhaps most importantly, that Christmas shopping is in full swing. Regardless of whether you are planning to hit the shops on Black Friday or not, you need a plan to do it the right way.

Mr.CBB @ canadian budget binder writes Comparing the comparison sites in Canada – If you love a good deal then you know you can compare prices using comparison sites online.

Chad @ The Stock Market and I writes The Coming Challenge to Diversification – With stocks and bonds appreciating at the same time, investors will have to make some tough decisions as pricing in both bonds and stocks will likely decline together.

JC @ Passive-Income-Pursuit writes Owens & Minor (OMI) Dividend Stock Analysis – I take a closer look at a budding health care company, Owens & Minor, to see how they stack up for a dividend growth investor.

RISK MANAGEMENT AND INSURANCE

Adam @ The Cheapest Cars To Insure writes What Does Fully Comprehensive Insurance Cover? – How you can make sure that you’re buying enough with the right insurance for your car.

Paige @ Modest Money writes Different Types of Insurance For Different Businesses – Most business owners need to be aware of the various types of insurances that apply to their particular businesses. This is to ensure proper protection of their businesses in case any damage occurs.

RETIREMENT AND TAXATION

John @ Frugal Rules writes My Retirement Dream: To Keep Working! – Many want to follow the traditional retirement dream of working until 65 and then leaving the workforce completely. My retirement dream is different – to continue working. With frugal living and an aggressive investing strategy I believe many can pursue that dream and eventually work for yourself in retirement.

Personal and Financial Christmas Safety

December 4, 2013 | Leave a Comment

Though the holidays are supposed to be a wonderful, celebration-filled time of year, there are often an increase reported incidents related to personal and financial security.

You need to protect yourself, your family and your belongings even more during the holiday season it seems. By taking a few necessary steps you can ensure you have an incident-free holiday!

Take Care of Yourself!

Now is not the time to skimp on a healthy lifestyle. You need to be in top shape for the holiday insanity rush! Not only for that perfect New Years Eve outfit you may have, but a good diet and exercise will be the stamina you need to make it through the six plus weeks of celebrations. It is to be expected that there will be some indulgences with the season, living well the rest of the day(s) will ensure you don’t see the side effects of your enjoyments! Get out there and move.

It also goes without saying, that if you’re at a holiday event and there is alcohol involved do not drink and drive. Nothing is more precious than a life. Ensure those around you practice the same safety precautions as well.

Protect Your Belongings

Crime is at an all-time high in December. More cars and homes are broken into and there is an increase in credit card theft. Be aware of this and keep yourself and your family safe from these tragedies. Make sure you home is locked (and armed if you have a security system) when no one is home. Keep your car locked especially when there are gifts present. If you’re shopping, store your purchases in the trunk. Thieves are more likely to attempt a break-in if they can see something they want. They won’t necessarily waste their time if they’re unsure. Having a safe at home for valuables is always a good idea, regardless of the time of year.

When making purchases, paying with credit card for bigger ticket items may give you insurance should the item be lost or stolen as well. Make sure you keep all receipts in case something happens to anything you buy as well. It may only be a $20 toy but if it doesn’t work or you need to return or exchange it for any reason without a receipt, it is a waste of money. The holidays are not a time of year one wants to be wasting money unnecessarily.

When shopping online, make sure the checkout it secure. All legit websites should be secure and there won’t be anything to worry about but if you’re uncomfortable with a checkout process, do your homework, especially with smaller websites. Same goes for charities, never donate to an unregistered charity. All legit charities will have documentation and issue a receipt for your donation.

For additional financial security, make sure you keep track of any and all warranties for gifts received and purchased should you ever need to make a claim.

After the gifts have been open, dispose of your garbage carefully. If a thief sees that giant 72” TV box at your curbside you better believe you’ll be a prime target. Cut all obvious boxes up and don’t ”display” obvious packaging.

The holidays are a good reminder to be overall more aware of our surroundings. If we take proper steps we can all have a safe and fun season!

What other ways do you protect yourself during the holidays?

A Pet Owner’s Guide to Surviving the Holidays

December 3, 2013 | Leave a Comment

The holidays are times of both excitement and stress, of festivity and fatigue. If you own pets, you not only get to prepare lavish meals, shop for family and friends, decorate, and wrap gifts, but you also have to deal with keeping your furry kids out of trouble when guests are over or when there are dangerous edibles like chocolate laying around.

But don’t despair! Owning pets can enhance your holiday spirit, not hinder it. Just check out the following tips for surviving the holidays with pets at home:

Staying Out of Trouble

The biggest issue with pets is that they can’t seem to stay out of trouble, especially when there are human treats and toys and decorations all around them. It’s quite a departure from the living arrangements they’re accustomed to for the other eleven months of the year, so many pets are naturally intrigued by the sweet smells in the air and tinsel hanging from the walls (they’d probably love nothing more than to claw or chew it all up!).

For starters, the ASPCA offers a comprehensive list of foods that are hazardous for dogs as well as one for cats. Things like chocolate can really upset their stomachs (or worse, if eaten in large quantities), so be sure to secure garbage containers and leave no food out where your pet could snatch it. Even if you have a cat or a big dog that’s normally pretty obedient, don’t underestimate what they’d do to get at that chocolate cake or roasted chicken sitting on your counter.

Also be mindful of decorations that could potentially harm your pet, such as a tree (make sure it’s locked in place so it can’t fall over) or small decorations that they could chew up or swallow, causing intestinal issues that could lead to a pricy visit to the veterinarian.

Hosting Guests

Having guests over for holiday parties presents another problem for pet owners: what should you do with Fluffy and Fido? Some people won’t appreciate animals freely roaming around while they’re trying to eat, but locking up your pets for several hours isn’t a realistic or humane option either. Your options here include: leaving your pets in your bedroom and letting them out after your guests have finished their meal, hiring a pet sitter to take care of your pets while you’re busy playing host or hostess, ask your neighbor to look after your pets for the evening (only if they like animals, of course), or if you have children and your party is for the adults only, ask or pay your human kids to look after your furry, four-legged kids for the night.

Going Out of Town

If you go out of town for the holidays, the logistics of making sure your pets are taken care of become a bit more complicated. Some people don’t mind dropping their pets off at a boarding facility, but not only are these rather pricy during the holiday season, they could potentially lead to health problems if your pet catches an illness from someone else’s pet. Another option is to simply bring your pet along on your holiday travels, but for many, this isn’t possible due to limited space or pet restrictions at your destination.

There is also the option of hiring a pet sitter, but this could cost you in upwards of $20-50 per visit, depending on the time duration and services rendered (e.g., taking your dog on a walk or crushing pills for your cat). If you don’t have a doggie door or your cat doesn’t use an indoor litter box, you could end up having to pay for multiple visits to make sure your pets are going to the bathroom regularly. To save money, consider hiring a reliable teenager in your neighborhood who clearly loves animals and would love to make some cash over the holidays by looking after your pets.

Holiday Gift-Giving

Sure, there’s a lot to think about when it comes to managing your pets during the holidays, but it’s not all precautionary measures! When it comes time to unwrap presents, it’s always fun to give something to your pet to make sure they don’t feel left out. Whether it’s a simple bone or bag of cat treats or a luxurious new bed (you can always search around for coupons and coupon codes to minimize the costs of gifts for your pets), getting something for your pet is a nice way to share the holiday cheer with every member of your family.

What other tips and tricks do you have when it comes to pets around the holidays?