Save Your Sanity - Holiday Online Shopping Is the Way to Go

I'll let you in on a secret: I rarely go to the mall after Thanksgiving. It's not that I don't love the decorations and Christmas festivities - it's just that I don't enjoy the parking hassles, frantic shoppers and overstimulated kids having meltdowns. I prefer to save (or savor) my sanity! Besides, I've found that overall, I can get just as many great deals shopping online as I can at the malls or big box stores. In recent years I've changed my shopping strategy to the following:

• I have my holiday budget pretty much defined by September - that includes decorations, gifts, holiday entertaining and food.
• Many of the stores have their seasonal items out starting in October, which means I'll head to the malls prior to November 15th to get an idea of what's new and what the current pricing of possible gift items is.
• And then... I savor my sanity by shopping online. The 2010 Holiday Season is bursting with unique gift ideas, heavy discounts on Christmas favorites like toys, electronics and clothing, and best of all... FREE SHIPPING. Watch for last minute deals and deep discounts on favorite sites like Overstock.com, WalMart and AMAZON.

Here are just a few of the sanity-saving deals I've found online this week:

Holiday Toy Deals - save 70% and more at AMAZON  including Curious George for $5.99
( I may have snagged one or two...)

Puritan's Pride - Buy one get one free or Buy TWO get THREE free. Yes, they are best known for their vitamins, but they also have this deal on items like essential oils as well as bath and body products.

Walmart's Selection of more than 400 DVDs on sale for $5 plus free shipping
add a couple of DVDs, popcorn and movie candy to a large basket, tie with a bow and you've got a fabulous gift for under $20!

Williams-Sonoma - free shipping on more than 500 Holiday favorites. Includes their yummy peppermint bark cookies and the essential oils hand care set - two of my favorites under $25.

Pottery Barn - Check out these charming Green Patina Planters in three sizes, on sale $9.99-19.99

Getting a Handle on Life in 2010

I am not one for New Year's resolutions, but I am definitely in favor of taking stock of where you're at vs. where you want to be, and then creating a plan or list of goals for the things you'd like to change.  Maybe you're like me and bypass the whole January 1st ritual of posting a new list of resolutions on the fridge or dresser mirror. Maybe, you too will consider February (or whatever month you decide) to be the start of a "new" you... a more focused, disciplined, goal-oriented, inspired YOU. And then, maybe you'll also consider using those same tools to help your family and friends create their own lists of goals and aspirations.

Obviously, how we deal with the economic challenges is a big part of our goals, discipline and inspiration.  Stress over the loss of job or decrease in income, rising mortgages or costs or living, and the stress on our relationships that are intertwined with money matters, are on the rise.  This is a good time to take stock of your budget, your spending habits, your lifestyle (not to mention taking an honest look at how your home, lifestyle and relationships may have suffered in the last year or so.)

Once you've taken stock, now it's time to get down to business and create some attainable goals.  Here's a few articles and resources to help you get started:

How to Downsize Your Lifestyle - Less is more, especially now.

How to Get Cash for Your Unwanted Stuff  - whether you are in need of quick cash, or you've realized you definitely have way too much, there's definitely a few ideas to help you clear some stuff out.

Be sure to get your free copy of financial expert Alan Haft's book The 10 Most Common Mistakes People Make with Their Money...and How to Avoid Them -- it's available on his blog "The Haft Report" along with a lot of other smart and savvy money tips!

Check out LiveStrong.com's  Dare to Change Your Life articles and resources.

And remember, even hitting 60-70% of your goals and aspirations looks a whole lot better than 100% of  nothing!