Today on MoneyLife with Chuck Bentley

We're getting closer to Thanksgiving. Ann and I love the holiday season. We're looking forward to seeing our family and making more holiday memories.

The holidays for some are dominated by financial stress and bondage. We have to fight against the grip of materialism.

I remember a "thankfulness turkey" that my kids made one year. Every tail feather had a category written on it like family, friends, health, etc.

Each person at the table plucked a feather, looked at the category, and shared what they were thankful for. It brought tears to everyone, and discovered things about each other. It helped us put our focus on the Lord.

Our guest today is Jonni McCoy, author of the best-selling Miserly Moms, now in its 4th edition. Jonnie's an expert on frugal living, among other things, and a longtime friend of this ministry.

Jonni's here to tell us how to entertain family and friends for the holidays on a budget. Jonni says we often get caught up in wanting to impress friends and family at holiday gatherings. We tend to throw out the budget on entertaining and gifts. We wrongly equate the amount we spend with how much we love people. You can show love within a budget; you just have to be creative.

Jonni is a frugal extrovert who likes to entertain. She’s learned how to entertain on a budget and she has many ways to save and make it memorable.

For the Thanksgiving meal:

• Consider sharing responsibilities, allow guests to help you, most people want to contribute
• The host is responsible for the main dish, decorations
• Let guests bring side dishes, people enjoy sharing favorite recipes.
• You can make suggestions as to what is brought such as a salad, fruit, dessert

Letting guests bring dish helps you financially and lowers your stress level.

For decorations:

• Use nature for decorations as much as possible
• Colorful fallen leaves, pine combs, evergreen boughs, gords
• Have a memory cloth where guests write something they’re thankful on it, sign and date
• Use children’s crafts and artwork from past holidays
• Children’s table can be covered with craft paper, give them crayons to decorate it

Potluck is ok at Thanksgiving; it enhances the sense of community. Most people don’t expect a formal, lavish event, put on for them. They come for the fellowship most of all.

Letting guests bring dishes shares the financial load without giving up control. Decide on the main dish and direct others about the side dishes.

After the Thanksgiving meals with their families, Jonni’s neighbors have a piefest, share desserts. Any event or party can be scaled back to save money. If you want to host a dinner, consider serving a vegetarian main dish instead of a meat.

Lunches and brunches are less than dinner. Host dDesserts or tea instead of a meal. This works for family reunions, office parties, and neighborhood gatherings.

Don’t forget why people are coming, why you’re hosting the event. Keep your focus on fellowship. That way you won’t be so worried about everything else and if the host is relaxed, guests will be, too.

Frugal links:

• Post link to Epicurious.com
• Post link to AllReceipies.com
• Post link to MiserlyMoms.com

If you’re hosting a holiday party, have a plan, and spend intentionally. If you’re unemployed right now, we know this is a difficult time. If you can’t afford to buy gifts, give gifts of time.

Make something, write something down. Offer to do work, serve other people and create a gift card. Use your gifts and talents to express your love.

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Don't forget, the Crown Reunion is set for November 19-22 at Ridgecrest Conference Center in Asheville, NC. You are invited! The registration deadline is November 12.

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• Crown Mvelopes