Christmas is approaching rapidly. Traditionally it’s a time to celebrate family get-togethers, harmony, peace and joy. These days it seems more a global mess of wars mixed with natural disasters.
Inequality rules. The “haves” really have too much of the good stuff. The “have nots” struggle to find good food, shelter that is affordable, with any degree of permanency about it.
All those wonderful things...
Christmas is a time for eating good food, gift-giving and being kind to neighbours.
That’s a pretty tall order for so many of our fellow inhabitants of today.
Was there really a time when most people could actually afford to enjoy those traditions?
Off to the shops!
I seem to go grocery shopping a lot these days. Theoretically, that’s not considered to be a good thing. Most folks believe buying larger amounts of good deals is the way to go. I do seek those special offers of course. But with limited space, I have to be careful about amounts of food to be stored. My best achievement is actually cooking enough to last a couple of days.
I have lots of practice too, with standing in checkout lines. I’ve never used these automated ones. Just seems that those grocery store owners with billions of profit dollars should be employing people, not machines to do away with humans.
The bright spot about this though, is according to news reports, this week entire chains are now getting rid of the machines, not because of my thoughts on this, but because the machines allow savvy shoppers to steal from them.
It seems most customers use credit or debit cards to pay. See, that’s one of several advantages that you tend to notice when you’re waiting in line. You see what people are eating. You mentally compare different boxed and packaged items with the homemade ones you prepare in your kitchen. You interact with others, sometimes a smile, other times with full-blown conversation. Machines can’t do that either.
One very interesting thing to notice in a checkout line is how many customers refuse the offer of a receipt for their purchases. I can’t imagine doing that. My receipts are the gold in managing what I buy, and a daily record that helps in the budget for everyday living.
People have tried to explain to me that their credit cards issue full accounting of their expenditures for each month. The problem is, by the time you get that you’ve already spent your money! There’s no choice to consider whether you should or shouldn’t make the purchase.
Receipts are magic, as long as you record them daily. If you do this one simple thing you will be amazed at how much you save each month!
This is nothing new. It’s not high-tech, but it can be a good adventure. Just remember with the money you save, there’s another choice. You can physically save it, or you can use it to pay off debt.
I wrote about this way back in 2014. Click here to see.
Since then Covid-19 has had an astounding negative effect on money matters. At that time we paid cash for everything. Now we have to use our one-and-only credit card. But we still use the time-honoured job of recording the receipts every day.
We now have no mortgage, no debt. It’s been worthwhile to always ask for receipts, no matter how small the purchase.
Christmas is almost upon us. Time to consider finances, needs and wants. It’s a harsh world out there, but you can tame your little corner of it. Just remember to ask for your receipts.
A beautiful perspective
My goodness! Still, some spawning salmon to be seen in the little creek. The garden lawns are a mass of delicate green grass.
This morning, two ducks strolled around, making a mirror image and there are lots of pretty Christmas greenery and lights to enjoy.
It’s a meaningful time of the year.
Thank you so much to all my wonderful, supportive readers!
Image via VickiW
