Tinky Posted November 20, 2012 Group: Diamond Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 200 Topics Per Day: 0.04 Content Count: 1,602 Content Per Day: 0.30 Reputation: 291 Days Won: 8 Joined: 10/24/2009 Status: Offline Birthday: 01/01/1986 Share Posted November 20, 2012 (CNBC) — Despite a whittling away of consumer debt that has been underway since the recession, many Americans are still entering the holiday season unprepared to cope with the expenses that crop up around this time of year. Think Finance, a provider of payday loans and other financial services for consumers with limited or no access to banking services, recently surveyed 1,000 Americans across all income levels who use various forms of alternative financial services — including payday loans, prepaid debit cards and direct deposit advances. Although many of these consumers are on better financial footing and optimistic about their economic future this year, the holidays are still a source of stress and strain on their precarious finances, Think Finance said in the poll. Some 45 percent of those polled said the holiday season brings so much financial pressure, they would prefer to skip it altogether. Almost half said their level of stress related to holiday expenses is high or extremely high. http://www.wnd.com/2...?cat_orig=money Tell me about it! I've been stressing since October! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bryanw92 Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 I would love to see the whole commercial aspect of Christmas just go away. The annual "Happy Holidays" debate. The battles over nativity scenes in public parks. The "must-have" gift. They are all a huge distraction for the only thing that matters. Now the part that does concern me is that a few people in my church have started a movement to eliminate our 11pm Christmas Eve service because "people are too busy with family and all for that." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
other one Posted November 20, 2012 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 29 Topic Count: 598 Topics Per Day: 0.08 Content Count: 56,176 Content Per Day: 7.56 Reputation: 27,906 Days Won: 271 Joined: 12/29/2003 Status: Offline Share Posted November 20, 2012 I'm in the 45%... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest man Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 I'm in the 45%... Me too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayin jade Posted November 20, 2012 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 44 Topic Count: 6,178 Topics Per Day: 0.87 Content Count: 43,795 Content Per Day: 6.20 Reputation: 11,243 Days Won: 58 Joined: 01/03/2005 Status: Offline Share Posted November 20, 2012 I think they just plain need to rethink Christmas. Not to give it up. So decorate with what you have. Dont have a tree? Usually folks have a garland. String that up and hang ornaments from it. Or decorate a houseplant. I had a Christmas yucca one year when I was a student lol. Gifts? There are so many ways to give gifts that dont cost or cost very little. Sites are full of ideas. Mike grew up on a dirt poor indian reservation. One thing his family did was have a big Christmas party with all the relatives. A pot luck dinner. They all gave little paper bags of peanuts, candy, oranges as gifts to the adults. The kids only got one present each from someone dressed up as santa. He has many happy memories of those times. Cant afford the big feast? Lots of folks have baked chicken instead of a big turkey. Plenty of ways to tone down costs. No one has to pig out the entire holiday season. Why not just spend the holiday season doing things as a family. Plan a family skating event. Go spend a night making a gingerbread house. Spend an evening looking at light displays or singing Christmas carols. Mike and I ditched the strain of the holidays years ago. We have Christmas but on our terms, without a financial strain or calendar of events burden. Of course, what folks should do more than anything is to remember why Christmas even exists. To remember the birthday of our Lord (even if its not the right time of year lol). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Editor1 Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 It seems like Christmas means different things to different people. I've come up with at least five major categories and I'm sure there are others as well. 1) Materialism. This, of course, begins in childhood with Santa Claus and, for many people, continues throughout their lifetimes. It might be about giving the biggest, most expensive gift or receiving one. Also, if one happens to work in sales (retail or otherwise), it depends to be the busiest, most profitable and most stressful time of the year. Some companies make as much as 50 percent of their revenue in November and December. 2) Family. For many families who are geographically spread out, they may be able to get together only one time a year and, for many, this is it. It's a chance, for better or worse, to see people you haven't seen in a while. Christmas also just seems different when their are kids around. 3) Religion. For many Christians and Jews, the time of year takes on special significance, even though it was most likely not the day or season when Jesus was actually born. Seems like every church has a musical or special program. Some people say celebrating Christmas makes them feel closer to God. 4) Winter. Depending on where one lives, it can be the highlight and often start of a winter activity season of skiing, snowmobiling or other outdoor activities. I will admit the places lucky enough to have a White Christmas (certainly not here) do have a special sparkle with the lights and sounds against a winter backdrop. 5) Sports. For many people, the Christmas/New Year's season may mean traveling to a sporting event in a distant town to cheer on their favorite team. Whether it's football, basketball, hockey or something else, the glut of sports is a way for many to stay entertained at a time when it may be cold, dark and gloomy outside. As I've gotten older (and older), I've gone through the cycle where Christmas has a different meaning. From Christmas mornings as a kid awaiting a living room filled with gifts, to the excitement of a new winter sports season, to the expectation of seeing loved ones. I put up a Christmas tree today. First time in three years, with circumstances having more or less cancelled my holidays the past two years. I don't know why I did. Not like the whole town wanting to come over for pie and egg nog. I'm not sure what else I'll do. I'm sure I will loved ones who are no longer in my life. It figures to be a lonely time, so maybe I'll find something to lessen the gloom. No reason to go out and spend big money or fight the crowds this time around. I don't blame those who choose to celebrate however they want. Or thos who choose to skip it altogether. I've done both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasoncran Posted November 21, 2012 Group: Diamond Member Followers: 0 Topic Count: 4 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 1,246 Content Per Day: 0.28 Reputation: 90 Days Won: 5 Joined: 02/16/2012 Status: Offline Share Posted November 21, 2012 jews do channukah. and that starts sundown in jerusalem on december 7th. i will do it but i may or may not do it with gelt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheya joie Posted November 21, 2012 Group: Diamond Member Followers: 7 Topic Count: 13 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 2,054 Content Per Day: 0.29 Reputation: 351 Days Won: 2 Joined: 03/15/2005 Status: Offline Share Posted November 21, 2012 Holiday drop-out here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayin jade Posted November 21, 2012 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 44 Topic Count: 6,178 Topics Per Day: 0.87 Content Count: 43,795 Content Per Day: 6.20 Reputation: 11,243 Days Won: 58 Joined: 01/03/2005 Status: Offline Share Posted November 21, 2012 Gelt is money for the yiddish impaired. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasoncran Posted November 21, 2012 Group: Diamond Member Followers: 0 Topic Count: 4 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 1,246 Content Per Day: 0.28 Reputation: 90 Days Won: 5 Joined: 02/16/2012 Status: Offline Share Posted November 21, 2012 lol. its called gelt. sorry. im ashkenazi and my dad did use some yiddish. grandpa and his generation probalby was fluent in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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