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Turning Holiday Fun into Family Memories and Financial Wins

December 26, 2024 This past week, our family participated in a door and patio decorating contest hosted by our apartment management company. The grand prize? A $200 gift card for the most votes. What started as a fun holiday activity quickly turned into an opportunity to create meaningful memories and make a smart financial move.We brainstormed as a family, coming up with a concept we were sure would stand out. After pricing out supplies and gathering everything we needed, we got to work! Watching our kids dive into the creative process—coming up with ideas, helping with the design and sharing lots of laughs along the way—was the real gift.After all our hard work, we were thrilled to learn that we placed in the competition and received a gift card! Our family decided to use it to treat ourselves to a special holiday meal at home, keeping the celebration simple and meaningful. The best part? By doing this, we can redirect what we would have spent on food into our savings.This experience wasn’t just about the competition—it was a reminder that the holidays don’t have to be about overspending or stress. Simple, intentional activities like this can bring families together, spark creativity and even support your financial goals.What small steps can you take to make the holidays both memorable and financially smart this year? Whether it’s a DIY project, a family game night or a creative way to give back, I encourage you to find ways to celebrate that align with your values and goals.And if you’re looking for inspiration, check out the picture of our door décor below! Who knows? Maybe it’ll spark some creative ideas for you too! You might also be interested in As we wrap up our Project Money experience, we want to take a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come—emotionally and financially—and share our journey... This past week, our family participated in a door and patio decorating contest hosted by our apartment management company. The grand prize? A $200 gift... Over the past year, my family has been making deliberate choices to save money and focus on our financial goals. One of those decisions recently involved... As we approach the end of our journey with the Project Money program, Cory and I (Je’Lisa) took some time to reflect on how we can apply the financial... Every now and then, life throws a financial curveball—in this case, it was a pleasant surprise. We received a refund from our gap insurance since our car... This week, we faced an unexpected hiccup with our insurance: A doctor charged us for a 2023 appointment because they had outdated information. It was frustrating... Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, family and of course, a feast. But let’s be honest, hosting a traditional Thanksgiving can come with a hefty price... This weekend, we decided to take a quick overnight trip to Minnesota. It was to record some music and spend time with friends, but we were determined to... This month marked a milestone for our family: It was our first month without a car payment after refinancing our vehicle through Summit Credit Union. With...