The Frugal Files: Giving Thanks Today!!

Happy Thanksgiving to you!!

Welcome to the Thanksgiving edition of The Frugal Files!! Last year around this time, we were talking Black Friday sales, but this time I’d like to focus more on what we have rather than what we want. It’s a lovely day outside and a glorious day to give thanks. Last week, we talked about  ((link)) and this week, I just wanted to share some ways to give thanks and share this time with those who truly matter. Great thing about it, is they are Frugalicious…as always.

Spend time with family, no matter the size. Also, family doesn’t mean just those related to you by blood. Share time and space with those that matter most to you and make it a happy day. Eat, play games, discuss the world and just enjoy each other’s company. Catch up on what’s going on in your lives. You never know what will come up; new business ideas, referrals, opportunities. We all get so busy on social media with people we don’t know, that we miss out on the expertise right in our own family.

Check on others. Because I have such a big family, I sometimes forget that it’s not the case for everyone. Holidays are times to share with people we love and care about. So if you have a friend that has no family in the area or a college student that didn’t go home, offer them a plate and an invitation to spend time with your family. Let’s make sure people aren’t lonely and alone during this holiday time. I am thankful and very proud that my family is large and that they are welcoming to newcomers. They won’t hesitate to throw someone in the food line and give them a hug. That goes for any family function, be it a holiday gathering or a game night. If they are family to one of us, they are family to all of us.

Visit extended family. You have a few days off right? Don’t spend it all at the mall. Why not call or take a ride to an aunt’s house you haven’t seen in a while. Do you have a family member in a nursing home? Go visit them and share a piece of pie and play a few rounds of checkers. This is the time to show people that even when you don’t see each other often, they are still thought about and loved. Use this gesture as a reminder to go and visit people more often. Let them tell you stories. One thing we don’t do as much as we used to is sit at the feet of our elders and listen to their wisdom. They’ve lived long enough to know something about life, so let’s get that knowledge and pass it on to the next generation.

Volunteer. I know I talked about this last week, but because people seem to have so much time off work and school, it’s the perfect time to lend a helping hand for a good cause. This is not only to say that volunteering should only be done around these holidays, but it’s a good start. Use it as a catapult to really make donating your time, a lifestyle change. Donate money, attend a fundraiser, help them raise funds and jump in and fill in the gap where they need help.

Give away items. In addition to giving out toys for tots, consider donating items from a shelter’s wish list. Organize a drive of some sort at your church or in your women’s group. Choose a local, national or international charity and set aside time and money to support it. It will do both the charity and your heart, good!!

No matter what you do today and during this time of relaxation, be sure to give thanks. You may not be where you want to be or have everything you want, but say a word of thanks to God for all that you do have. Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!!

Frugalicious Diva

Follow Me on Twitter at @FrugaliciousDva

Being Thankful for YOU

Special Note: this blog post is a day early due to the Thanksgiving holiday this week.

Thanksgiving is upon us and it is a time to be thankful... for the people in your life, the blessings bestowed on you, the things you have, etc. However, sometimes we forget to be thankful for the most important thing in our lives...ourselves. You should be thankful for YOU. As I wrote last week, there is only one you in this world so be proud and inspired to be you.

There are times where, even I feel like I am not reaching anyone, not inspiring anyone or not doing enough to help people in my life. Then I receive a letter like I did this week. I received a message on Facebook from someone I have known for a few years but we're just casual friends and barely speak. Her note said the following:

"I know we don't really talk or hang out. But I wanted to tell you that I always read what you write, whether it's on Facebook, the blog or on Twitter. I may not always comment but I have to say, you inspire me to be a better person. You keep me motivated to keep pushing forward. You remind me that there is light at the end of the tunnel and not to give up. Thank you for that."

Wow! I was stunned when I read this message. That just goes to show you that you never know who you are inspiring in your life. This is why I believe we should all strive to be the best person we can be. We are not perfect but we are imperfectly perfect. Our flaws can also act as our badge of honor if we look at them in a positive way and not loathe them. If we show the world that we can celebrate our flaws and accept ourselves as we are, think of how many people we will inspire by just being ourselves and loving ourselves. We unknowingly set examples for others by how we live our lives. And we will be so much happier if we were living our lives the best way we can.

Listen, none of us signed up to be role models but it happens, even when you are not trying. It happens even when you're in a negative state. People will look at you and tell themselves that they don't want to be like you! You can't escape this unless you lock yourself away and have no interaction with anyone in your life. But that would be boring. As Helen Keller once said, "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing." And this was a woman who was deaf and blind since the age of 19 months! And she ended up being the first deaf/blind person to earn a bachelors degree. She also never gave up on learning how to communicate with others, later on learning how to speak and becoming a public speaker among other great accomplishments. So if Ms Keller can overcome such obstacles and still be amazing, why can't you?

Be thankful for who you are and what you bring to this world. Because someone out there looks up to you. Someone out there is inspired by you. Someone out there is looking at life in a different way because of something you said or did. Be thankful for your unique beauty, your wonderful spirit, your beautiful mind, kind heart and great sense of humor. These are qualities that are not limited or determined by a dress size. As Joel Osteen once said "You were made on purpose. Your birth was no accident." You are unique. There is no one on this Earth like you. Like I wrote last week, that is pretty empowering. You have the power to make your life an amazing one. There is no one stopping you but YOU. It's all a state of mind. It's all in your attitude, whether you're a size 4 or a 24.

So this Thanksgiving, I want you to look in the mirror and say:

"Thank you! Thank you for being You. I am awesome. I am amazing. I am ME."

And then enjoy some good food, drinks, and company. It doesn't matter where you are on Thanksgiving - Life is what you make it. Enjoy the moments and be thankful for what you add to this already colorful and interesting world. Someone out there is thankful that you exist and for what you bring into their life.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all! I am thankful for all of you who read my blog posts and continue to support me. Enjoy and God bless!

Living It Up: 8 Steps to a Healthy Thanksgiving

8 Steps to a Healthy Thanksgiving
By Meri Raffetto

Sure, Thanksgiving is about eating that fabulous meal, but the good news is the traditional festive meal doesn't have to ruin your efforts towards a healthier lifestyle. Try the following tips to ensure a healthy and delicious thanksgiving day!

1. Add some pumpkin!
Pumpkin is a great food that we usually eat at Thanksgiving. A matter of fact, canned pumpkin is higher in vitamins than fresh pumpkin. Add pumpkin to soups, breads, or even mashed potatoes.

2. More veggies less bread
Make stuffing with less bread and add more onions, celery, vegetables, or fruits such as dried cranberries or apples. This simple step will add more health benefits and decrease some of the calories.

3. Decrease the fat in your gravy
Use a fat separator or refrigerate the pan juices and skim the fat off before making the gravy. This can save up to 55 grams of fat per cup (495 calories) and help you to avoid having greasy gravy.

4. Don't forget the veggies
Thanksgiving is such a great time to get in all of those wonderful fall veggies. Sweet potatoes, yams, squash, and green beans are a great way to add more vegetable side dishes.

5. Pies
What is thanksgiving without pie? All in moderation is what I say. If you don't have a preference, opt for pumpkin pie instead of pecan pie and save hundreds of calories.

6. Don't Rush!
Slow down, savor your food, and enjoy your family and friends. Give yourself a chance to feel full and satisfied. Remember, it isn't the last time you will eat these foods and you can always have more of the leftovers tomorrow.

7. Partake in some fun activities
Take a leisurely walk, go for a bike ride, or start a family tradition of playing touch football. Getting active will help you to burn more of the extra calories you ate during the day rather than storing those extra calories as fat. Get out and enjoy some movement.

8. Most importantly...
Thanksgiving comes once a year. Have fun sharing your thanksgiving meal and celebrating your family's traditions.

Meri Raffetto is a Registered Dietitian, free-lance writer, and is a recognized professional in the area of nutrition and wellness. She is the owner of Real Living Nutrition Services providing online weight loss programs to help people make sustainable lifestyle changes. Learn more at: http://www.reallivingnutrition.com

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Money Matters: The Frugal Thanksgiving

The Frugal Thanksgiving - 5 Ways to Save
By Jamie Jefferson

With all the food preparations and travel arrangements, Thanksgiving isn't cheap. Save some money on this year's festivities with the help of the following tips.

1. Watch the turkey sales.
Because the turkey is the most expensive part of the Thanksgiving meal, it makes sense to try to save money on it. Starting around Halloween, start keeping an eye on the price of turkey at your local supermarket so you know when to buy. Watch for sales, coupons or special free gifts from your supermarket. Some stores even offer a free turkey with a certain amount of groceries purchased on one trip. Take advantage of these deals to get your costs under $2 per pound.

2. Carefully weigh made-from-scratch foods against convenience foods.
It's a well-known fact that most convenience foods (canned, pre-packaged foods) are more expensive than foods that you can make from scratch. The biggest problem most people have with making dishes from scratch is the recipes and the prep time. Fortunately, there are hundreds of resources online that can teach you everything from making perfect mashed potatoes to making your own cranberry sauce. You can also make several items ahead of time, such as green bean casserole, and heat them up on the big day.

3. Decide on one "splurge" item.
If you're making everything from scratch, you might be too tired to enjoy the meal. Do yourself a favor and look for a good deal on an important store bought item, besides the turkey. Pie, cranberry sauce or stuffing are all good choices to help relieve some of the pressure off the cooking without breaking the bank.

4. Have everyone pitch in.
Just because you're hosting Thanksgiving dinner doesn't mean that you have to be responsible for the entire cost of the meal. Having a Thanksgiving potluck is very customary these days. Assign each person or family group something to bring and then concentrate your energy and your budget on the turkey.

5. Don't forget the train or bus line.
If you're traveling a distance to see family for Thanksgiving, driving may not be your best option. With gas prices still hovering around $3/gallon, you may be able to find a better deal on the train or bus line. Calculate how many miles are between your home and your destination. Then figure out how many miles to the gallon your car gets, and how much the price of gas is per gallon. Compare this figure to the local bus or train line to see if you can get a good deal with public transportation. As an added benefit, you'll have time to relax on you trip instead of fighting with traffic.

With planning, a new perspective and some research, you can spend a lot less this Thanksgiving. Look into cooking items from scratch and plan your travel expenses wisely to save the most money.

Jamie Jefferson writes for Momscape.com and Susies-Coupons.com where you'll find wine discounts and coupons, as well as free printable grocery coupons.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com