tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6042604546466046202.post7818420389065390218..comments2023-09-02T04:37:16.932-07:00Comments on Nifty Thrifty: The Impending National...Holiday!Christine Rathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09425509631419946308noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6042604546466046202.post-77800179101875735382008-12-18T15:12:00.000-08:002008-12-18T15:12:00.000-08:00Ultrapinque, sorry to be so long in getting back t...Ultrapinque, sorry to be so long in getting back to you. I have been trolling the internet for cheap car rentals--clue: there are none, especially for christmas (oops should have planned ahead). Actually, it took no convincing from me, because most of my family is as broke as me. I was brought up in a large Irish Catholic family (coupon clipping and thrift stores) so we just naturally gravitate toward not spending a ton of cash. That being said, you can approach your family in a few different ways.<BR/><BR/>The best is to try not to sound defensive or whiny as this can encourage the "I am more broke than you" game, in which family members trade stories of how much harder life is for them than anyone else. Avoid this trap at all costs.<BR/><BR/>What you might try is talking about how grateful you feel for your family and the time you will spend together and that when you see that in contrast to the rest of the world, you really don't feel like you need all those things, just some good quality time with them. Helps if you mean this too.<BR/><BR/>People resist. The spending frenzy has had a strong grasp on our country for a long time. If your family is Christian (I am not particularly so, though do like some of the ideals especially this one), you can always point to Jesus over turning the market outside the temple. The whole point is to live modestly, and creatively and resisting the hype. I don't mind if people can afford a lot and want to give a lot, but it stinks when people who can't afford a lot are forced into giving a lot and end up putting themselves in debt; debt for which there is no governmental bail out plan. All best, ChristineChristine Rathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09425509631419946308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6042604546466046202.post-40931056659454419592008-12-12T00:08:00.000-08:002008-12-12T00:08:00.000-08:00Hi Christine --I know this is late, but i'd like t...Hi Christine --<BR/><BR/>I know this is late, but i'd like to ask your secrets on how you convinced your family to forgo the massive buying frenzy this time of year . . . my husband and i want to try something like this also, but a few tentative suggestions led to gasps, outrage, dismay . . . help!<BR/><BR/>I love your blog, just recently found it!Ultrapinquehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08298630600006369705noreply@blogger.com