All I see these days in the headlines are gift lists of ideas to help you find and buy and then give the perfect gift. To your spouse, kids, teacher, hostess. All those gifts that – well, let’s be honest here, nobody really wants.

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“Drip by drip isn’t a crowd pleaser, but that’s what makes real change happen.” – Seth Godin

I read a daily email blog from Seth Godin. His perspective is more often than not – unique and thought-provoking. Today’s blog’s last line caught my attention: “Drip by drip isn’t a crowd pleaser, but that’s what makes real change happen.” That’s so true – but especially true in my world of financial education, where we start teaching kids about money in Pre-K.

You made it through the holiday bustle and maybe even found a few quiet moments to reflect on the year behind.  For me, the anticipation of returning to a “normal” schedule again is more appealing as each day passes.  As our family prepares to resume the regular routine, we are doing what many families do – plan ahead.  But, if you spent a little more during the holidays than you had intended, you may be dreading the looming holiday bills.  Here are a few tips from some of my past blog posts that might be helpful to get your family started on the right financial foot this year:

Create a Teachable Moment from Holiday Money Mistakes

January – A time for reflection

Money Tips from Octogenarians

Cash in those gift cards now!

The January “Allowance” Lesson

Wishing you and your family a money savvy year ahead.

Susan

Claire Green, President of Parents’ Choice Foundation, a nonprofit organization that helps us all make the most out of play for our children, was explaining to me recently what she looks for in choosing a really great toy as a gift: “The best toys prompt children to think, feel, or do; they encourage curiosity, empathy and creativity.”

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