Christmas Meal Gifts

Purchased food from Caputos, pans from Party City, $100 between 5 families:

Cream of Cauliflower Soup: cauliflower 49 cents/lb
spinach/mixed greens (huge bag $3.49) added trail mix and gorgonzola cheese, grape tomatoes $1.99, balsamic vinegar and olive oil.
French Bread Extra Long - $1.99 each
Entree - Roasted Italian Sausage 7lbs @ 1.79, 2 bags red potatoes, green beans, onions, 4 lbs carrots, 1 package celery, bell peppers
Apple Crisp - apples 39 cents/lb
Cookies - Home CFO convenience mixes: peanut butter, molasses, double chocolate chip.

Take the food a couple weeks before Christmas when families are busy with school, work, shopping, etc.

How to Make Bows with Magazine Pages..COOL!

http://www.ehow.com/how_4747612_gift-bow-recycled-materials.html

Cash Only Challenge

http://www.cnbc.com/id/33584424

Please comment if you plan to participate. About 2 months ago, I went to the envelop system, cancelled most of the automatic purchases to the credit card, switched to using debit card for purchases/payments when necessary.

If you want 2009 to start out with great numbers, cancel the automatic purchases/memberships in the month of December. Then, your January statement will start out right.

Crafting

http://www.practicalscrappers.com/

The pictures on this website are incredible. My cards never look like this. The warning - if you are going to buy this stuff, use this stuff. I saw the smaller Cricut machine on sale at Michaels for $99 regular $199. Great price...if you use it.

Lost Savings Bonds

Article in Parade December 6, 2009 page 14 references the website www.treasurydirect.gov and search by social security number for bonds purchased after 1973.

2009 Scavenger Sale Schedule Cook County

Listed in Section 8 of Chicago Tribune, December 2-3.

http://www.cookcountytreasurer.com/

Explanation:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tax_lien_sale

Please comment if you have purchased delinquent taxes for investment purposes.

Holiday Shopping

For organization -please keep 1 goldenrod envelop with clasp for receipts and another for returns (properly labeled). The color of the envelop helps me find them quickly. The size of the envelop typically fits in most purses.

Online:
www.Ebay.com - I typically look for a price point at about 1/2 of the store price (including shipping charges). For my own use or for kids, slightly used is ok.

www.Amazon.com - variety, deals...look for deal codes or scenarios on money saving blogs.

www.Overstock.com - great comments from people who have purchased items.

www.napervilleyardsales.com - local pickup/payment (mostly moms, friendly, and clean items)

www.craigslist.com - I have used and have felt comfortable with the transactions.

Gold

Last year, I purchased gold through bullion direct.com. I paid $843 for 1 oz (+shipping and handling) and yesterday sold it for $1050 (w/out shipping and handling charges). A 24.56% return for 13 months. I wish I had purchased more last year. I'm not certain that I would buy gold at the current prices. However, if it does fall below $1000 I would think about it.

I don't think I need to claim the capital gain on my taxes (question for my cpa). I didn't sign a w9 form or anything.

If you want additional discussion on this, please comment.