Show Me The Money: Do Something For Yourself
BOSTON (CBS) - There is nothing wrong with treating yourself and your kids and creating some memories for everyone.
If the credit card debt is paid off, start to save for Christmas. I know it is a long way off but having Christmas covered so you don't go into debt is a very good financial move. You could also then take advantage of the sales throughout the year for your gifts so you are not crazed come December.
Save it for a family vacation. You could do something during April vacation or wait until next summer. Think of the fun you will have creating the memories and the planning. I always found that half the fun of the trip was the planning.
We would entertain ideas from everyone and vote on them. When the kids were old enough they had do some of the research. Then we would we vote again. Road trip? How much time would we spend getting there? Should we fly? Could we afford to fly?
If a trip to Disney World isn't covered by the refund start a vacation fund and have everyone contribute what they can and when you have enough dollars you go. You don't want to end up using credit to pay for the trip.
By making it a future trip you are teaching the kids about saving for something they want to do rather than going into debt to get there. By not staying at the Disney resort you can save a bundle on hotels. And in the summer the park is open late so you can come and go easily.
How about taking the refund to bed with you? If you have been waking up with a sore back now for months could it be that your bed is sagging? Watch the commercials for mattress sales and you feel a bit guilty for they claim you need to replace your mattress every 8 years or so.
I remember my grandparents having the same mattress forever. As a child I loved to nap in their bed for over the years they had created two very distinctive hollowed out places. I loved to sink in it and pull the down comforter up over me.
But if you are seeing indentations you need a new mattress. Not only will you be able to afford a new mattress for you but probably other members of your family as well. And if there are dollars left over consider getting new bedding and give your bedroom a new look. You do spend a lot of time in there.
