Most importantly, set a budget and stick to it.  It’s essential that you are responsible and realistic when you set your holiday budget.  If you can’t afford to spend lots of money on gifts, then think of other things that the recipients would enjoy, such as free babysitting, homecooked meals, scrapbooks, etc.  It really is the thought that counts!

When purchasing gifts, keep receipts, and keep track of sales.  Know the prices of what you are buying, and if things go on sale, make sure you get the sale price.  Keeping the recipes will ensure that you can return the products if your recipient doesn’t like it, or receives the same item.

How do you control your budget during the holiday season?

When I first had children, I often felt stuck at home. Even the easiest task of going to the store to pick up a few things became a huge project, and I absolutely hated trying to move my stroller around stores (especially small stores).

Are you familiar with Bugaboo? These strollers are the must-haves of parents on the go. With Bugaboo, having a young child doesn’t mean being stranded at home. This rings particularly true for today’s generation of parents, as there’s plenty of help to increase freedom of movement and keep people mobile.

Bugaboo products are both eminently functional and innovative. They distinguish themselves through integrated functionality, streamlined design and personality. You can literally go farther with a Bugaboo! Check out these photos of families who are definitely not stuck at home!

You can now share your life experiences and inspiration with Bugaboo Friends. This is a community of active, modern people who share pictures, ideas, stories, videos, tips and inspiration to stay on the go. You can become a featured Friend, and even take on a Bugaboo Challenge to win a prize or two! Have a look and see how Bugaboo Friends are rolling ­ not just locally but all over the world; and you don’t even need to own a Bugaboo to join! Visit online at Bugaboo.com.

1. Plastic bags from spontaneous trips to the drugstore, or local convenience store
2. The plastic wrapping on our daily delivered newspaper works well for dirty diapers
3. Produce or bread bags from the grocery store
4. “Donated” plastic bags from relatives who don’t need them

How do you dispose of dirty diapers and kitty litter?  Please let me know!

Searing meat caramelizes the sugars and browns the proteins, creating a different color and more intense flavor, as well as a crust on just the outside of the meat. Contrary to popular belief, searing is actually not believed to hold in any moisture. Nonetheless, here’s a simple breakdown of what you do!

Add a little safflower or other high heat oil to your favorite pan and bring it to high heat. When the pan is just beginning to smoke, add the meat. (If the pan is not hot enough, the meat will stick when you try to turn it.) Brown all surfaces of the meat until deep golden brown. Remember that the meat inside is still raw, so continue to cook it according to your recipe until it reaches a safe internal temperature.

After you sear your meat and/or veggies, there are bits of caramelized yummy stuff stuck to the pan called "fond." Fond seems to develop less in non-stick pans, so try your stainless steel or cast iron pan for searing. Add shallots, onions, garlic, herbs or spices to the fond for additional flavor and saute over medium heat for a couple minutes with a touch of oil.

The method for "deglazing" and thickening is simply adding a little liquid to the pan and integrating and dissolving the fond into the liquid and simmering it down to thicken the sauce. You can use wine, juice, cider, broth or stock, or aperitifs. If you use alcohol to deglaze the pan remember to remove the pan from the heat so you don’t accidentally start a fire or burn yourself (Yikes!).

Continue to cook the liquid in the pan until it is reduced by half and finish by adding either a touch of butter or flour to thicken the sauce.

And there you have it - a simple pan sauce that took less than 10 minutes and adds additional flavor and liquid to your dinner.

First of all, make sure that you know what the appropriate size of your emergency fund should be.  Most finance experts recommend 3-6 months of salary saved in a low-risk account.  I’d go with a larger amount of you have any concerns about job stability or income.  In this economy, targeting a larger size emergency fund is definitely the best approach.

Now that you have a goal, it’s time to start saving.  Saving for your emergency fund should be your top financial goal.  In your budget, include a line item for “paying yourself first”.  It may take a few months, or even a year, but eventually you’ll be in great financial shape!

So why do you need an emergency fund?  An emergency fund is exactly what it sounds like - a bucket of funds available to you in the case of a financial emergency.  There are many, many instances where you may need emergency funds — such as job loss, home repairs, automobile repairs, health emergencies, etc. While it may be painful and difficult to save up the right amount, it will definitely feel great when you are in a more stable financial situation!

Here are my tips for making a trip with young ones a success!

1. Plan your departure and arrival times appropriately.  Try not to leave too early in the morning, or too late at night.  For my family, naptime is a great time to travel.
2. If you are flying, try to find the optimal flight pattern for your kids.  Flying cross country, I thought a stopover would be best for our daughter, who would be able to run around and get her energy out.  However, looking back, I think I would have preferred a direct flight.
3. Be flexible.  Remember that your child may need some time to warm up to the new location, so be prepared to switch around some of your plans.
4. Have a rainy-day activity planned, if necessary.  We went to Phoenix with our daughter, where it is never supposed to rain, and ended up with three days of constant downpours.
5. Remember to pack everything you need in your carry-on bag, if you are flying.  My potty trained daughter absolutely refused to use the airplane bathroom (it’s kind of scary, if you think about it), and thankfully, we had a few emergency pull-ups packed.
6. Have fun!  Even if it’s not the trip you dreamed of, having some uninterrupted time with the kids is absolutely priceless!

Do you have any tips to share?  Post them in the comments!

How many of you remember being in college and seeing those enticing displays from credit card companies, giving away tee shirts, water bottles, and other promotional items?  For most Americans in our generation, I’d guess that’s how you probably got your first credit card.  Mine was a Citibank card with a $300 limit.  Credit card companies spend lots of money getting card holders, and can you guess why?  Because they are likely to make a whole lot of money from each one.

Credit cards can be a great thing.  In emergencies, it can provide you with the ability to purchase a necessity, and they are also extremely convenient.  However, the risk of falling into debt is so great, and credit card debt is extremely difficult to get out of.

Why is that the case?  First of all, minimum payments can often barely cover the monthly interest, making the payment of principle nearly impossible.  Second, interest rates on most credit cards are incredibly high.  Finally, many people are continuing to buy things on their card, causing an infinite loop of debt.

Step one of reducing credit card debt is to STOP USING THE CARD!  Immediately.  If you carry a balance from month to month, you are likely without a grace period, meaning that you are paying interest starting at day one.

Come back next week for Part Two of our Paying Down Debt: Credit Cards article.

This month, November, is prematurity awareness month, and the March of Dimes and Johnson & Johnson are doing some great things to promote awareness and increase research.  I had the opportunity last week to speak to Janis Biermann, SVP of Education and Health Promotion from the March of Dimes to learn more about the great efforts that are going on.

Did you know that 1 in 8 babies are born premature (defined as earlier than 37 weeks)?  Prematurity is common and costly, and puts heavy burdens on families, who often have to travel great distances to the closest NICU to visit their child.  In addition, while information exists for why 50% of those babies are premature, the reason for the other 50% is unknown.

What can you do to help?  First, visit the March of Dimes’ website to sign a petition for preemies.  The petition shows your support of the following:

1. Encouraging the federal government to increase support for research and data collection related to prematurity
2. Improve access to health coverage and stop-smoking programs for women of childbearing age
3. Encourage consistent collection of data and assessment across all hospitals for information related specifically to prematurity rates and reasons
4. Request that businesses support healthy pregnancy by creating workplaces that encourage maternal health.

In addition, Johnson & Johnson is donating $.10 for each purchase of a Johnson’s Baby product made in November and December to the March of Dimes.  Stock up on products now to help make a difference!

Fast forward a few years later, and I decided to take the plunge.  Here’s my take on the first two treatments, of my six treatment package.  Obviously everyone’s experience is different, and each facility uses different procedures and lasers, so make sure you ask all necessary questions with the facility you are considering.

The place that I go to uses the Soprano laser, which is supposed to be pain-free.  I’d done enough research online to know that it isn’t completely pain free, so I took some prophylactic Motrin before I went in.  My facility recommends that you are clean-shaven and exfoliated before you go in, and that makes the laser more effective.

The first treatment wasn’t pain free, but it wasn’t too uncomfortable.  The warm sensation of the laser is actually relaxing in some places, but in the more sensitive areas, such as my knee and ankles, it kind of stung.  The pain quickly subsided though, and once the hair fell out, it stayed out for about 6 weeks, when it grew back a little lighter.

After 8 weeks, it was time for my second treatment.  The consultant this time told me that it’s especially important to heavily exfoliate knees and ankles because dry skin is more prevalent there.  The second treatment hurt a lot more in the sensitive areas but was still pain free in most locations.

Laser hair removal isn’t cheap, but is it worth it?  Time will tell.  So far, I’ve had good results, and I think after the six treatments, I will be very happy…. stay tuned for more updates.

First on my list is de-stressing. It’s counterproductive to be at such a high level of arousal at all times. Worrying and thinking on what foods I need to prepare for my family, how best to organize our closets and drawer, or how to remove the crayon from wallpaper is not getting all of those things done. I was really excited to receive a review copy of The De-Stress Diva’s Guide to Live. With some practical advice on how to push through the stress and get productive, the book is perfect for all moms, whether they work outside or inside the home. I’ll be reviewing the book on Mom’s Favorite Stuff this Thursday but I can tell you the first step is all about breathing.

Because of all the thinking, I sometimes miss the big things. At the end of the day, my job is being a mom and there is no point to letting the big things…like my sons or my husband suffer for my overfocus on the planning stage or my own indecision on little things. It’s true that a clean house and a healthy meal are all to the benefit of my sons, I’m starting to re-prioritize what is THE more important things and how to realign it all together.

Finally, I’m planning on a little me time. In the last six months, I have only been away for my sons once for longer than the ride to my oldest’s school for pick up…about 20 minutes. I’m working on saving a little time for meditation, writing, and I’m hoping to be starting a yoga class with friends in the new year.

What prevents you from reaching your minding the home goals? Are you your own worst enemy?