How Not to Derail Your Financial Plan During the Holidays

Google Images

I absolutely love the Christmas season.  The cooking, the planning and holiday gatherings makes these festive days so joyful.  However, I have had some clients to share that the Christmas holidays cause financial stress.  With trying to purchase gifts and maintain the monthly expenses, the holiday can drain the bank account if you let it.  Here are a few strategies to keep your finances on track during this holiday season.

1.     Scale back on gift purchases.  Instead of purchasing a load of gifts you can’t afford, purchase festive holiday cards to send to your loved ones. Just  letting someone know you are thinking of them goes a long way. 

2.     Set a budget and stick to it.  You many find that you can splurge a little and remain on your financial plan.  Assess your finances, set an amount and only spend this designated amount on gifts.  Spend wisely!

3.    Get Crafty. Check out Pintrest and make adorable Christmas gifts for the family.

4.     Take advantage of the Christmas deals.  To help you not break you budget.  Take advantage of the purchase- something- get- something- free deal.  Bath and Body Works always has this holiday sale.  Take the free item and gift it.  This especially comes in handy when you decide to purchase for teachers, family and friends. 

The holidays come and go but bills are always around.  Don’t you just love that?  Spend carefully and don’t get depressed about what you can’t do financially.  Do what you can, enjoy your family and remember Jesus Christ is the reason for the season. 

Beyond the Thanksgiving Table

I am sure most of us are ripping around the kitchen stuffing turkeys, mixing dressings and baking delicious pies for tomorrow's Thanksgiving feast.  But when we are all fed and full of thanks what is it to do next?  Eat Again!!

Here are three different things we like to do, besides eating, after Thanksgiving dinner.

Load up the butter popcorn and enjoy a movie!

Dust off the board games and enjoy a little competition!

Help all the kiddos put on a Thanksgiving play for all to enjoy!

via 123homeschoolforme.com

These are just a few ideas to enjoy Thanksgiving day.  What do you like to do after eating Thanksgiving dinner?  Have a happy and blessed Thanksgiving!

SCM's First Event- A Success!!

I am so excited to announce that Savvy Chic Mom had its first event over the weekend, the Networking Swap Party.  Mommies got together to mix and mingle.  We had a great time conversing about how to keep sane while parenting, sharing time management tips, giggling over our love for yoga pants during the week and swapping business cards.

Our special guest who is 86 years young, Ms. Ginny, shared the motherly wisdom she acquired from raising three kids.  We really had a great time.

Here are a few pics from the Savvy Chic Mom Networking Swap Party.

Snacks to enjoy

Goodie Bag Items

Our Savvy Mom Discussion

More sharing

Smile!

Photo Pin Magnets

I am not a big crafter.  Occasionally, I will try my hand at creating something simple.  Here are a few photo pin magnets I made! An AC Moore Arts & Craft's display inspired me to create these very simple but adorable picture holders.

Measure and cut the glitter tape to fit the clothespin.  Cut two small pieces from the magnet tape strip and place on the top and bottom of the clothes pin.  Now, you have a photo pin magnet!

Creating a Mommy Command Center

     With so much going on in motherhood, it becomes hard to really keep things organized.  Some days are smooth sailing while other days can get chaotic with busy schedules and endless chores.  I ask myself, “How does a busy mom organize?” My schedules were posted everywhere.  Doctor appointments were in my hand-held calendar, menus were posted on my fridge, the grocery list written in a tablet that ends up God only knows where, and my kids’ school schedules were tossed about in their backpacks.  That explains how the chaotic days occurred.   It was time to create a one-stop schedule system to help keep all important dates and information; therefore, Mommy Command Center (MCC) was created.

Creating Mommy Command Center has helped with keeping schedules, to –do lists, and even menus in order.  This is a designated place or places that help you keep track of your days, weeks and entire month. 

My MCC

Steps to creating your Mommy Command Center:

1. Write a list of the things you need to keep track of.  Menus, the schedule for all your family members, the grocery list, blogging projects
2. Visualize your command center.  Do you want store-bought boards or are you a crafty mom who will create her own boards?  Check out Pintrest for board ideas. 
3. Find a designated place in your home to set up your command center.  Be sure this place is easily accessible so you can glance over before shooting out the door. 
4. Tailor your command center only to your needs. I get a thrill when I get to peruse websites and organizing blogs.  But I have to understand that the way someone else does their center may not be conducive to my personality.  Too many boards can get overwhelming and too little boards can make you feel unproductive.  Create your center so it is productive for you and suits your personality.
5. Now, create your personal Mommy Command Center. 

Banana Muffins & The Birthday Boy

This past weekend we celebrated my sons 2nd birthday! Time moves fast and then your kids are all grown up.  I am really taking advantage of the tender moments that we can share in a simple way.  When my oldest child turned 1, I planned her a pretty large and energetic party with 20 guests, a number of large gifts and a price tag that should not have been considered.  I think that party was just for me! I must admit, I have grown wiser.  For the third child, on his 2nd birthday, I baked banana muffins, (and I am not much of a baker from the photo) purchased one gift and kept the celebration simple and sweet.  Happy Birthday my sweet son!

We love Thomas!!

Now, for the banana muffins!  This is a very simple and tasty recipe.

INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cups of flour
1 cup of organic sugar
2 mashed bananas
2 eggs
1 stick of butter (soften)
1/4 teaspoon of baking powder
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg
2 tablespoons of vanilla

INSTRUCTIONS
Cream together flour, sugar, eggs and butter.
Add the mashed bananas, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla. Mix well.
Add mixed batter to a muffin pan.
Bake at 350 for 35 minutes.
Cool and ENJOY!!

Give Thanks Thursday

I am thankful for the never ending grace of God.  No matter what I do, he constantly loves me unconditionally.  Nothing can separate us!

This month Savvy Chic Mom is observing Give Thanks Thursday.  Sometimes we are so indulged in the things we want and the desire to have them now that we forget about being thankful for what we do have.  Every Thursday in November share what brings you to a thankful place.  Post your comments on Facebook, take it to twitter or do a blog post.  It is your choice.  Please share!

"...We Will Make Cupcakes." Her Words to a Stranger

Although this was a blog prompt from yesterday, I still wanted to create a post to honor this topic chosen by the Mom Bloggers Club.  On yesterday, my mind could not think of a time my child really said something embarrassing to another person.  But today, my mind took me back to almost 5years ago.  (I know its crazy considering I have two toddlers that always say crazy things but I think of something that occurred 5 years ago with my oldest child.) Don't judge- just keep read.  

I was a single parent living in Houston, Tx.  At this particular time, I was planning an event for a small group I was leading at my church.  Now, I would talk to an ex-companion from time to time.  But nothing serious came from that relationship.  Let's call him Mr. Waterman.  So Mr. Waterman decided to donate bottled water on behalf of the water bottle company he worked for. 

Mr. Waterman conveniently delivered the water to my home.  We played the role of not knowing one another and just keeping it strictly business in front of my child considering she did not know him. He was a stranger to her.  Therefore,  Mr. Waterman made a simple delivery.  This is how it went:

"Hi, Ms. Vargas.  I am here to deliver the water for your event,"Mr. Waterman said while placing the water by the front door.  

"Thank you, Mr. Waterman," I replied with a smile.

"Okay, have a great day," Mr. Waterman responded, while my daughter tugged on his jacket. He looks down toward her.

She looks at him with a straight face and says, "My daddy is coming back and we will make cupcakes."

Wow, I thought to myself.  At this time, CC had not seen her dad since she was really small.  We divorced when she was a year old.  He was currently living in Europe and we were in Houston. Yes, he on the other side of the world.  But this little girl knew that someday her daddy was coming back home.  I did not create this thought in her mind but she made it clear to Mr. Waterman.  At the time I was slightly embarrassed but I am sure he was even more embarrassed.

Although the statement was embarrassing it was true.  Just shy of two years later, my daughter was making cupcakes with her dad and we were married again.  

Some embarrassing things that kids say can also speak the real truth!!! 

I sure love me some cupcakes now. 

What are so outlandish things your child has said to a stranger? Was it the truth? Please share!

Mixing It Up Monday: Prints & Patterns, Oh MY

Okay, so I am not much of a fashionista but I do try.  However, Ms. Essense Hill of Essenseheel.com stepped the fashion experience up with Mixed Print Monday, I had to indulge.  Honestly, I was really challenged!  Normally a print and a solid color is how I usually play it safe.  But when I started to mix these patterns, the fun and creativity started.  You can even see I encouraged my 10 year old to also mix it up.  So please hop over to Essense Hill's fashion blog and comment!  Thanks Essence for the challenge.

Thanks Essense!  Please hop over to Essense's blog to get some great fashion tips.  Don't forget to like her FB page and follow this awesome fashionista on twitter. 

What is Something That Excites Me?

Google Images

This blog prompt was encouraged by Mom Bloggers Club.  What really excites me about Halloween? The excitement is not as high as it use to be when I would dress as Casper the Friendly Ghost or Jem from Jem and the Holograms.  I loved walking the streets of my neighborhood, where we all knew each other, searching for all the big candy drops.  Since then, Halloween has really changed.  Considering we just moved to this area a few months ago, we haven't gotten to know the neighborhood.  I have found that finding harvest festivals, Trunk or Treating at local organizations and partaking in school wide activities for Halloween helps to stir up excitement.  But what really gets me going is our new annual Harvest Party!! Where you ask... at my home.  This is a party where me and the family stay in and enjoy one another.   I have two toddlers and taking them door-to-door isn't going to work.  Even my 10 year old opts out of the costume for a night with her family.  

So this is our harvest party. We start with something good to eat.  Maybe something the kids don't get to eat on a regular basis.  Something like....PIZZA!!

Google Images

Then we will enjoy making cupcakes or eating store bought cupcakes. This is a great alternative to the large bag of candy.  Not really because of health reasons.  We will devour the cupcakes in a day or two.  However, the bag of candy takes much longer to eat and causes tantrums when kiddos aren't allowed to have a piece of candy.  

Google Images

And we top the night of with....drumroll!!

Google Images

Sit back, snuggle up and enjoy a family-friendly movie!

And this is what gets me excited for Halloween.  I so enjoy making my own family traditions and doing something different from the rest.  What do you do on Halloween night?  

The Reading Nook: Carolina Parent

Source

Skimming through community magazines is a great pastime activity for me.  I don't get to indulge much but when I do it is a moment of pleasure.  Seeing what activities and what people in my community are chatting about is intriguing.  So In the Carolina Parent October issue I noticed a short article, 5 Ways To Enjoy The Outdoors.  With each listed suggestion, I began to question if I really exposed my kids to the outdoors. Do they have an understanding of nature? You remember growing up, how nature was a big part of our childhood.  I would enjoy hours of bike rides with neighborhood friends, resting on a blanket in the backyard while discovering puffy shapes in the clouds, the occasional walks to the Candy Lady's house and the artsy crafts designed with crunchy fall leaves.  Outside activities were so much fun! Fast forward to present day and my little ones are somewhat deprived of the great outdoor adventures….maybe not.  

Sky and Buddy (class bear) at the park

1. Go to the park headed the list.  Maybe we are little outdoor adventurers.  We do a weekly park visit (sometimes twice/week). North Carolina has a ton of beautiful parks to enjoy.  Free fun is always nice.  

2. Encouraging outdoor play with friends was second on the list.  Now, I fall short with this activity.  My toddlers experience is enjoying the outside balcony.  Well, until they started throwing objects over the railing (pictures, clothing, toys, and wrenches).  That didn't go so well.

3. Visiting Pumpkin Patches ended the list of adventures.  I am all over this one! Pumpkin Patches are a great way to celebrate the Fall season.  Also, Fall festivals through local churches and organizations always add additional enjoyment to the outdoor adventures.  Some of these festivals are free or may cost a small fee.  Look in your community magazine to see the festivals that are in your area.  

The Fall weather is nice and outdoor fun is calling.  What are some ways you and your kids enjoy the Fall season? 

Fashioned in His Word

source

I really enjoy taking a sanity break by skimming through the latest fashion magazines.  What savvy chic mom doesn't enjoy relishing in the new fashion trends?  However, are we taking the time to fashion ourselves and our kids in the armor of God: His word?

Just the other day, my friend and I were conversing about the importance of teaching our kids God's word.  Of course, time came up as a factor.  After after-school activities, dinner, chores and other stuff who really has time and the will to follow through?  Even in the busyness we make time for so many things.  Well, God's word is more important than extra curricular activities, house duties and any television show.  We don't have to do away with these luxuries but we do need to carve out sometime to study the word.

Start with just 15 minutes a day.  It can be before school, before bed, or anytime you choose.  Just get it in and enjoy it! Here are a few ways you can help your kids thrive in the word of God.

Do A Weekly Memory Verse
This is really a fun way to learn scriptures.  Have your kids to right the memory verse on construction paper.  Allow them to color the paper and draw pictures.  Post the finished master piece in their room or on the fridge.  Everyday have them to read the bible verse and recite it without looking.  Be sure to explain the bible verse to your kids in a way they will understand it.

Do A Prayer Journal
To this day, my prayer journal is an integral part of my worship to God.  Kids love their own place to write their thoughts. Have them to write their prayers and verses in their very own prayer journal.  It is a blessing to go back and read how God answers prayers.

Do Bible Study
Many churches offer a weekly bible study for adults and kids.  Enroll your child in children's church and weekly bible study.  This is a commitment.  So for my family, we choose not to enroll our kids in any extra curricular-activities on bible study night.  That night is designated for us to go and study God's word with our peers.  Also, Awana is an awesome biblical based program for kids ages 2-18.  This nonprofit ministry is centered around creative ways to teach your kids how to follow, love and serve Christ.  Check their website to find out more information along with locations near you.  My kids love Awana!!

Here you have it! A few ways to get your kids involved in the word of God.  Fashion your kids in what matters most: God's word!

Throwback Post: I Don't Want a Darn Dog

Below is one of my first posts from 2011!  At the time, I was so adamant  about not getting a dog.  My family will still ask me about a dog.  But my answer has slightly changed.  SLIGHTLY…

With three kids at home, I don't see a dog in the near future. However, when my oldest is in high school and the toddlers are finishing up elementary school I can see indulging the desires of my kids and getting a dog.   Maybe when all the kids are grown and gone I should get one..LOl! Enjoy my Throwback Thursday post below

CC and a dog----Not Happening

Here's the deal, I have never been a dog liker, lover, or wanter.  Okay maybe when I was 7 yrs old or so.  That idea lasted only a few seconds until my mommy dearest shot it down.  And no begging, pleading, nor sappy tears followed.  Showed ya' how much I wanted a canine friend.  And now in life, I still feel the same. No, I don't have the desire to clean up doggy hair, poop, pee.  I don't desire to walk it, I barely want to walk myself.  And I don't want to the have another mouth to feed or take to the doggy doc.  And I sure don't want to fall in love with something that will more than likely die before me!  I. Don't. Want. A. Darn. Dog! (on the floor screaming and throwing a tantrum).  

As you see, I have my reasons.  Yes, they are actually valid and good reasons.  But.  Yes, there is a big BUT.  CC The Sweetness and Hubby The Great truly wants a darn dog.  Furthermore, when I see how my child lights up when she sees a dog and how hard Hubby the Great works to persuade me, my doggy dislike heart is slowly changing! Sloooowwwly changing.

Of course having a cute little Maltese can add to my savvy style.  I can picture the family strutting in slow motion, with me caring my knock off Louis V doggy carry bag, large bug eyed sunglasses resting at the tip of my nose, kids and  Hubby The Great along side gliding through the airport to our tropical family vacation.  Wait! Do I have to pay for a doggy plane ticket?  If so scratch this House Wives of Beverly Hills wanna-be fantasy.

Back to reality- as a mother we sometimes tend to give into the desires of our kids.  When I see my CC The Sweetness eyes and heart bursting to have a dog, I do want to see her with a cute little dog.  And when I hear Hubby The Great's reasoning for the family needing a slobbering ugly until its cute Bull Dog, I can't help but say- "I think I want a darn dog"!

Precious Picture Moment

While growing up, I did not have a father at home.  So when I see my hubby and my little man spending time together my heart smiles.  I think it is such a blessing when a father spends precious time with his children.  This is my Precious Picture Moment!

Do you have a precious moment you would like to share? IF so, share it with us on our Facebook page and explain why the picture is special to you. 

Shake It Off

Taylor Swift has done it now! I am finally somewhat of a fan.  Shake It Off is a tune that is always chiming in my home, in the car or in my head.  From my 3 year old to my 10 year old, we are always shaking it off.  I love this fun positive tune.  "Shake it off" is not a new saying but the lyrics that accompany this sick beat (Taylor says this in her song…HAHA) is a great conversation starter for my 10 year old and things she may encounter in school and even life.  Somethings we will never be able to control and when this happens we need to shake it off.  My daughter is learning that life is too short to be overwhelmed with what people say especially when you are trying to be the best person you can be.

So to all of you, shake off the petty stuff, kick back and enjoy this video if you haven't seen it! The still shot is a little weird but it really is a cute video!!

Taylor Swift's Shake It Off Video

Source

Are there any cool songs that have been great conversation starters for you and your kiddos?  If so please share!!