Getting Through the Holidays without Money...Gifting Frugally!

I know this year there are many of us who are struggling financially. I know this all too well. So what does that mean? Maybe you can't go visit your loved ones this holiday season because you can't afford the airfare, or maybe you don't have enough money for those special gifts, or any gifts, you would like to buy. Well have you ever heard of the saying "it's the thought that counts"? It is absolutely true! If you are home bound and can't go visit your loved ones, write them a special holiday letter (yes, by hand, it is more personal). Tell them everything you would be telling them in person. Write about what you have been up to, what your latest and greatest past time has been, etc. And also include some recent photos of you and your family or friends. And maybe even include your famous holiday cookies or treats to add even more of a warm and loving touch. And if you are worried about not having money to spend on the amazing gifts you would buy everyone if you just had enough money (maybe by winning the lottery!), try doing something more personal, like making gifts. Yes, making gifts! One easy and almost free gift is to go through all of your photos and find a photo that maybe your "giftee" doesn't already have (think of a really cute old photo of when you were just kids, or a photo from a super fun time you had together) and either put it in a frame, or make a personalized holiday card featuring the photo. Add craft paper, glitter, ribbon, stickers...etc. to make it perfect! Another homemade gift idea for the writers out there is to write a personalized poem. If you have neat handwriting, go ahead and hand write it on some nice paper...or you can type it out and select a pretty font and print it out on some special paper. Then with the completed poem, you put it in a frame. It is very inexpensive and is much more personal than most anything you can buy. And for those crafty people...think of jewelry making (jewelry making has become very popular right now and can be found in most any craft store), or you can find many unfinished wood and cardboard projects at most craft stores such as Michael's and Joanne's Fabrics that you can either paint or modge podge (glue like substance to put paper strips onto objects), or glitter up. There are also books and magazines available at the craft stores that will show you how to do certain projects step-by-step. It all comes down to what you are comfortable with. Use your own natural talents (photography, writing, crafting)....the possibilities are endless! And if you are too bogged down with work, family, life, etc. then you know your loved ones will always appreciate a phone call! Tell them how much you love them and are thinking of them and how you wish you could be there. It is always great to know that someone is out there thinking of us!
Happy Holidays!

Milo's Story

This post follows my previous post regarding pet adoption. About two years ago, I adopted Milo from the animal shelter I now volunteer at. I was looking for a cat to keep my other cat Blue company since I had to put my other cat down when he got cancer. Blue had got used to having another cat around, and I felt she was lonely. So, I decided to go to the shelter instead of a pet store, since I had heard about all the homeless pets needing homes. I walked into the shelter with the intention of adopting a cat, but only if I found one that I felt an immediate bond with. When I was walking around the cat room, looking in one of the cages, I noticed a white paw sticking out of the cage next to the cat I was currently looking at. I looked over at the white pawed cat and when he saw me looking at him, he stuck both his paws out. He was stretching his legs of the cage in between the bars as far as he could, as if he was saying "let me out! take me home!" I asked one of the employees to open his cage so I could see him. I laughed as he tried to play with the keys as his cage was being unlocked. He started purring immediately as I pet him and licked my hand to give me kisses. I knew this was the cat I was looking for. And he has been a part of my family ever since!

Make a difference: Adopt a Pet

You may have heard the various ads from animal organizations....Save a life, adopt a pet..or, Spay & Neuter your pets. I cannot emphasise just how true this advice is. A few months ago, I started volunteering at my local LA City Animal Shelter. I work with the cats (you may have guessed by my profile name that I love cats), but I have also seen the dogs and rabbits. There are so many pets just waiting for a new home. Although everyday adoption occur, there are also new pets dropped off at the shelter. Just as the pets leave, more come in. A lot of the animals that are brought in are found as strays. Some dogs & cats are also brought in by their current owner. I realize that some pet owners find themselves in certain situations where they can no longer keep their pets. It is better that they bring the pets into the shelter than to leave them abandoned. But I do feel sad for an animal that once had a home and is suddenly put in a cage in a strange environment with lots of other animals around them. But, as I said, it is much better to bring a pet into the shelter, than abandoning the pet or having it put down.

At the LA City Animal Shelter, they try their best to find each and every animal a new home. The shelter I volunteer at actually hold the animals for several months. Many think that city shelters euthanize animals only after a few days if they are not adopted. This is not the case here. They try their very best at saving the animals lives. This makes me happy to volunteer. I go in and help clean the cat's cages and give them food or water, as needed. I also give the kitties lots of attention and love. Hearing the cats purr as I pet them gives me joy. I leave knowing that I have helped in some small way to make a cat's life more enjoyable in a not so ideal situation (being homeless).

So, in sharing just a little on my volunteer experience, my message to you is, when looking for a new pet, check out your local shelter. You just might find the perfect pet who will be grateful for being saved. And if you have pets, please get them spayed or neutered to prevent more homeless pets. There are many organizations out there that provide discounted services on getting your pet spayed or neutered.