Buy Nothing Day
Supportland Card!
Sharing Hope
Giving Thanks!
Enjoy your holiday weekend!
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Sustainable Family Finances
The story of a family creating an abundant and sustainable life.
I love having a tradition that focuses on giving thanks and being together with family. I love cooking more dishes than can practically fit on your plate. I love indulging in simple healthy foods saturated in butter. I love having a long relaxing weekend to look forward to once all the dishes are done…by Hubby of course 😉
A few years ago I decided that I really wanted to get some holiday books, since it’s hard to get them on hold from the library and it’s nice to have some family favorites as a tradition.
Thanksgiving Is…
shares all the different harvest traditions, from the Greek and Romans to the Pilgrims and Indians. I read it to our Big Guy’s preschool class and they really enjoyed it (although slightly other kids would too.)
Grateful: A Song of Giving Thanks
has great illustrations, although the melody isn’t very catchy and kind of drones a little.
Some time over the summer we also picked a used copy of Big Guy’s first favorite series of chapter books with Jack and Annie:
Magic Tree House #27: Thanksgiving on Thursday
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
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Sustainable Family Finances
The story of a family creating an abundant and sustainable life.
Here in Portland there is a big homeless population. I start to think about them the colder it gets, and right now it’s freezing here.
Honestly, I’m busy raising a family, and I don’t feel like I have much capacity to help in any significant way. But I don’t think we should think less of the small efforts we make. They matter to a person who is hungry and tapped of hope.
During the holidays I donate to whichever organization happens to be at my grocery checkout line. This year New Season’s customers are donating to Loaves and Fishe meals for seniors. When you consider that a few dollars can feed someone, it’s hard not to add a little to your holiday meal tab. We are so very blessed.
We also make donations to several canned food drives a year. I call it my Costco tithe, because I’m really just giving away any savings.
In the past I’ve donated socks, sheets and towels to local shelters.
They are many
shelters in Portland
. I really appreciate how they are trying to connect with people on an emotional level as well as fulfill practical needs.
Here’s a quick video about the Portland Rescue Mission:
Do you help the hungry and homeless?
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Sustainable Family Finances
The story of a family creating an abundant and sustainable life.
A few months ago I shared my excitement about a new rewards card for shopping local, Supportland – Part 1
I was psyched to pick up my card at one of my favorite kids shops – Milagro’s. Instead of needing to run out and buy disposable diapers, I find myself running to Milagro’s or Mother Nature’s every few months to buy more poo liners for Girly’s cloth diapers (yes, they capture most poo to drop easily into the toilet). I also happened to be running errands and sold $25 worth of clothes as credit at Bella Stella (apparently you need an appointment at Milagro’s).
Supportland is still expanding their business network, and I can hardly wait until my favorite local shops and restaurants are on board.
If you really must get your holiday shopping, many communities are offering special incentives to shop locally this Saturday.
Do you think shopping locally matters to the environment and your wallet?
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Sustainable Family Finances
The story of a family creating an abundant and sustainable life.
With all the hype of Black Friday, we’ll be honoring Buy Nothing Day this Friday.
Yes, we’ll miss some ridiculous sales, but I guarantee you we’ll save money…kind of like the age old financial savvy of spending less than you earn. 😉
Here’s a 30 second ad by Adbuster to remind of us how glutinous we are and why Mama Earth needs us to limit our consumer craze. But you won’t see this ad on any of the major networks between shop-til-you-drop commercials, because it’s been rejected by ABC, MTV, etc! I can understand wanting to monitor content to a degree, but this is plain and simple censorship.
Have you ever honored Buy Nothing Day?
What will do instead of shop with your family?
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Sustainable Family Finances
The story of a family creating an abundant and sustainable life.