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Using debt consolidation to ease the financial stress at Christmas.

An article in the news recently stated that people will be spending less at Christmas. 44% have decided to either skip, delay or go on a cheaper holiday.

I know from my own personal perspective that my mortgage payments have been over due for the past few months. I have a direct debit set up where the money is automatically withdrawn from my account, but whereas in previous months there have been funds there to cover it, for November and December there wasn't any. Like most people I guess its time for me to really sit down and make an extremely tight budget.

And then of course there is Christmas in a few weeks.

This time of year can be quite stressful for many people as there are expectations of gifts and the desire to get together with family and have a nice dinner. Credit card debt can easily get out of hand at this time, as you make all those "essential" purchases and often even your daily food on your cards.

Debt consolidation is a way to help you reduce debt which I believe more people are now aware of. Under this strategy you bundle all your outstanding, higher-interest debts into one loan with a lower interest rate. The objective is to reduce your monthly repayments.

It is possible to submit an expression of interest at www.fastdebtfreedomnow.com. You may be contacted by up to three companies who will attempt to match you with the right debt solution for your needs. Some of the benefits of using this service
include a reduction in balances of up to 50%; ability to avoid possible bankruptcy; and home ownership is not a requirement.

In conjunction with this it is necessary for you to commit to disclipined spending habits ie if your credit card balances are cleared using a particular type of loan, do not be tempted to start spending unnecessarily because of the nil balance.

Store Catalogues - How to find what's on sale

This was mentioned to me at a playgroup this week and then I saw it in the mail.

www.lasoo.com.au combines all the current store catalogues including Toys R Us, Big W, Sams, My hampers etc. You simply enter the item you are looking for and it will show you the price at which you can buy that product and where.

The junkmail catalogues at the playgroup were very popular reading however using an online directory is also another means of saving paper usage.

Teaching Children about money

A suggestion which comes about quite often is "why isn't money management taught to children in school".

I first saw it written in Rich Dad Poor Dad. Here is part of a review for the book
Why isn't this book a mandatory read in high schools??? And, speaking of schooling, it's the first book I have ever read where a real distinction was made between "education and learning" and "going to college."

The ASIC in Australia sent out a consultation paper in 2003 outlining opportunities for financial literacy education within the curriculum.

As a result a new financial literacy program is being distributed to secondary schools across the nation from late 2008. Your Money Starter - Insurance and Super (YMS) is a financial literacy resource for secondary schools in each state and territory.

It comprises teachers' guides, classroom activities, assessments, interactive online games and animated movies, investigative projects, fact sheets and glossaries.

I know that at some of the larger secondary schools locally, children are able to learn about the share market. As an adjunct to thistThe ASX have set up a Schools Sharemarket game for years 7-12, where children have an opportunity to practice their skills as they "trade" online. Students are given a hypothetical $50,000 to trade with over a eight week period and there are some fantastic cash prizes to be won.

This is a higher level of financial skills aimed at the teenager. What I think would be most useful is the basic skills of saving, and budgetting. My son for one things that an ATM is a money machine and its simply a case of going to the machine and making money. There are a number of resources available to help parents achieve this.

Christmas Activities - Brisbane - December

Dec 6 - Saturday

• IGA Lord Mayor's Carols in the City - 7 pm
  River Stage City Botanic Gardens, Alice Street, Brisbane CBD
  
  Artists for Carols 2008 will include a line up Australia’s world-class talent including Guy Sebastian, Julie Anthony, James Morrison, Paulini, Dean Geyer, La Forza and Colin Buchanan. Hosted by Peter and Wendy Francis.

Christmas activities - Brisbane - November

Nov 23 - Sunday

• Santa Train - 11am
  McPherson Park, Denham Street, Bracken Ridge
  
  Give the kids a treat with a ride on a real steam train provided by the Bracken Ridge Central Lions Club

Nov 28 - Friday -

• Lighting of the Christmas Tree - 6.30pm - 7.30pm
  Reddacliff Place. Top of the Queen Street Mall, 266 George Street, Brisbane CBD ..
  
  Brisbane's Lord Mayor Campbell Newman, Channel Nine News presenters, Bruce Paige and Heather Foord, members from The Shak, Santa and a host of special guests for the lighting of the tree.

Nov 29 - Saturday

• Stuff The Stocking 2008 - Reddacliff Place. 2pm - 9pm
  
  A charity concert where you bring a present and place it under the City Christmas tree. Then enjoy a lineup of entertainment inlcuding The Paper and The Plane, Repeat Offender, Dextors Conscience, The Gift Horse, Hey: Carlisle, The Rocketsmiths, Finabah, The Winnie Coopers PLUS eight acoustic acts.

Nov 30 - Sunday

• Santa Sunday Steam Train
  Ipswich Rail Museum
  
  Includes a one and a half hour steam train journey around South East Queensland Country, departing from The Workshops Rail Museum platform, returning in time to enjoy the activities at the Santa Sunday event. There is a charge for this. To find out cost, contact 07 3432 5100

Police and Military Tactical Gear available to the public

The Police and Military work in extreme environments. Their clothing and equipment must be made be survive those conditions and be effective enough to makes things easier and help get the job done.

www.lapolicegear.com supply not only police officers, but also military personnel, security professionals and the private companies and the general public. They take great joy in helping people get the gear they want and need.

A feature product is the 5.11 Jacket. As the weather gets colder, the need for fleece jackets increases. Brown Fleece jackets are now available on a closeout or reduced price of $49.99, a reduction of $50. Features of these jackets include abrasion resistant collar, shoulders and elbows; Back-Up Belt System™- compatible pockets which let you stow essential gear, and zippered exterior handwarmer pockets.

A great buy in anyone's books.