Weekly Roundup

Blog Round-Up: Week of November 18, 2013

blog roundup

Next week is already Thanksgiving. Are you ready for turkey day and the shopping mania that soon follows? More and more stores are opening on Thanksgiving, which definitely has some people upset. I prefer to spend Thanksgiving with family, rather than fighting crowds, so I don’t have plans to go out early. How about you?

I talked about gratitude this week and how I’m helping my girls appreciate the things they have, rather than feel entitled to them. I am proud of the good life my husband and I have created for our family but I also want to the girls understand we work hard for it. And by being smart with our money and setting goals that matter to us, instead of focusing on or competing with others, it remains a life we can all be thankful for every day.

A Few Good Reads

Here are my Top 5 Posts from this past week. Enjoy!

Matt from Mom and Dad Money shared What Financial Freedom Means to Me with us. Everyone’s definition may be slightly different but that’s good—it should be personal to you.

GMD over at Girl Meets Debt clued us in on The Truth About the Debt Repayment Journey. Guess what? It’s not easy. But as GMD shares, it will be worth the effort to be financially free.

Tonya at Budget and the Beach shared What a Girl Wants. She still figuring out how to enjoy the things she wants on a tight budget, so she can leave behind the “either/or” life.

Dee from Color Me Frugal reminded us that We Aren’t Our Balance Sheet. Dee makes an excellent argument to cast off shame and guilt for how your balance sheet may look today and to instead focus on the positive changes you’re making now and moving forward.

Carol over at Let’s Get Deals Today reviewed some of her Favorite Black Friday Shopping Apps. Those planning on venturing out this Black Friday should take a look at these apps first. Also, check out my post at Tackling Our Debt on How To Survive Black Friday in 5 Easy Steps before you head out to the stores.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Shannon

Image courtesy of wwww.FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

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November 22, 2013  •  22 Comments  •  Weekly Roundup

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Comments

  1. Friday, November 22nd, 2013
    Thanks for the mention! Hope you and your family have a great weekend!
    • Shannon
      Friday, November 22nd, 2013
      You're welcome, Dee. You have a great weekend too!
  2. Friday, November 22nd, 2013
    We might stop at one or two stores on Black Friday. Our friend works in HR at Target and has shifts Thanksgiving evening and early the next morning. I am definitely excited for Thanksgiving and spending time with family. Hope you have a great weekend!
    • Shannon
      Friday, November 22nd, 2013
      You're braver than me, DC! Happy shopping! That would be tough working on Thanksgiving. I am very excited for Thanksgiving too and a little down time. You have a great weekend too!
  3. Friday, November 22nd, 2013
    Thanks for the shout out Shannon! I most definitely will not be shopping on Thursday. I may try to take advantage of some online deals on Monday though. I like shopping from my computer a lot better than fighting the crowds.
    • Shannon
      Friday, November 22nd, 2013
      You're welcome, Matt! I'm with you - it's so much nicer shopper from my computer when the stores are packed and there is no parking available. :) Plus, I figure I make smarter choices since I don't feel rushed into making a decision. Have a great weekend!
  4. Friday, November 22nd, 2013
    Hope you have a great weekend, Shannon!
    • Shannon
      Friday, November 22nd, 2013
      You too, Holly!
  5. Friday, November 22nd, 2013
    I don't think non-essential stores should be open. I feel bad that have to work because of people who want to shop for Christmas that day. Let's all just calm down! :) I'm spending thanksgiving with some friends this year. Happy I found something to do. Thanks so much for the link love!
    • Shannon
      Friday, November 22nd, 2013
      Me too, Tonya. It really doesn't seem fair. People were fine getting up at the crack dawn to go shopping on Black Friday. I'm glad you found something to do for Thanksgiving, if we were around, you'd have a place at our table! You're very welcome for the link love. Have a great weekend and hopefully the sun comes back out!
  6. Friday, November 22nd, 2013
    We won't be going out to shop, I think I'd rather get a frontal lobotomy than go out on Black Friday. :) Have a great weekend Shannon and hoping you're enjoying warmer weather than we are - we have snow on the ground. :(
    • Shannon
      Friday, November 22nd, 2013
      LOL! That's a pretty extreme measure, John! :) Snow already? Yikes! It's been a bit dreary and rainy this week but I can't complain since I'm not dealing with snow! You have a great weekend too!
  7. Friday, November 22nd, 2013
    It's disheartening that more and more stores are open on Thanksgiving, but I tend to stay away from the stores altogether all weekend, anyway. It's not worth the parking hunt and dealing with crowds to me! I loved your thoughts on what you're thankful for, and I hope you have a wonderful one with your loved ones, Shannon! :)
    • Shannon
      Friday, November 22nd, 2013
      The parking alone makes me not want to go out! :) You have a great Thanksgiving too, Anna!
  8. Girl Meets Debt
    Friday, November 22nd, 2013
    Thanks for the link love Shannon! I hope you and your beautiful family have a wonderful weekend! :)
    • Shannon
      Friday, November 22nd, 2013
      You're welcome, GMD! We will have a great weekend and you have a great one as well! :)
  9. Friday, November 22nd, 2013
    I might be in the minority here but I just can't get excited about Black Friday. I enjoy the shopping experience and that is lessened for me when it is overly crowded. I went out one time to do shopping on Black Friday. Got to the store at 4:00 am and it was already a madhouse at the door. This is going to sound sacrilegious but I'd rather spend more on an item than have to fight those crowds.
    • Shannon
      Friday, November 22nd, 2013
      Oh, I don't think you're in the minority here. Other places, probably. :) I know some people love shopping on Black Friday and to them I say go for it! But for me, it's just not worth it. Like you, I think the craziness takes away from the shopping experience and would pay more to not have to deal with the crowds. Now the online sales are really just as good so I don't even feel that I lose out on the great buys.
  10. Friday, November 22nd, 2013
    Some good reads! I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
    • Shannon
      Friday, November 22nd, 2013
      Thanks, Leah! You have a wonderful Thanksgiving too!
  11. Friday, November 22nd, 2013
    I am not a fan of Black Friday; I stay far, far away :)

    Have an awesome weekend Shannon!
    • Shannon
      Friday, November 22nd, 2013
      I'm with you Mackenzie! You have an awesome weekend too!
Shannon Ryan SHANNON RYAN, CFP®
  • Meet Shannon

    "As a Certified Financial Planner, it is my passion to help individuals and families build a healthy relationship with money. I look forward to helping you raise financially confident kids.” - Shannon Ryan