Posted by Larimer Associates on 9:25 AM
Here are some great shopping survival tips and
tricks to help you get through the next month. If you love Christmas,
but hate the shopping this blog is for you.
The leftover turkey is wrapped up and stowed in your refrigerator, the Thanksgiving pies have been devoured, and you’re ready
for a long vacation. Unfortunately, the Christmas shopping
season kicks off with a vengeance even before you’ve had time to make
that cold turkey-stuffing-cranberry-sauce sandwich.
Don’t stress out yet—we’ve shared some
tips for saving money and staying sane while navigating holiday shopping
madness.
Make a List
Write down everyone you plan to buy a gift
for, no matter how small the gift may be. Include ideas of what to give
each person,
along with the maximum amount you’re
willing to spend. Don’t forget to list the people who will receive
holiday tips, such
as your doorman, babysitter, and mail
carrier. This will help you manage your holiday budget.
Start Early
Don’t wait until after Thanksgiving to
start buying holiday gifts. Keep your eyes open all year round for items
friends and
family would like; it’s often when you’re
not looking for something specific that you stumble across the perfect
gift for
Dad or your best friend Jenny. Once
December hits, you’ll be glad that you already have some people crossed
off your list.
Just make sure to keep all your advance
gifts in a designated (and hidden, if necessary) spot so that you don’t
forget a purchase
you made months in advance.
Do Online Research
If you’re unsure of which specific item to
buy (for example, you want to buy your husband a digital camera but
don’t know
what brand or model is best), search for
reputable online reviews. You’ll have to pay a small subscription fee,
but Consumerreports.org has hundreds of expert reviews on everything from laptops to baby strollers to breakfast cereals. Or check sites with user
reviews and ratings, such as Amazon.com or Cnet.com, to find out which products have the most positive feedback. To find the best online price, use a comparison shopping site,
such as Pricegrabber.com.
Get No-Cost Holiday Shipping
Last-minute shoppers, here’s a gift for you. On December 17, 2012, more than 1,000 online merchants, like Best Buy and L.L.Bean, will offer free shipping with delivery by Christmas Eve. (Go to freeshippingday.com for details.) Prefer to get your Christmas shopping done early? Peruse this list of popular e-retailers that offer gratis shipping now through December 20.
Do It Yourself
There’s an abundance of homemade pickles, hand-knit hats, and handcrafted stationary these days, thanks to a growing obsession
with all things crafty, artisanal, and homespun (just look at all the unique things for sale on Etsy.com).
If you’re creatively inclined, avoid mall madness altogether and bake a
batch of cookies, sew personalized tote bags, or
make beautiful earrings for friends and
family. If you need to learn a new skill, look into classes in your
neighborhood or
invest in a how-to book—there’s one for
just about every craft out there.
For more information see
Real Simple.
Posted by Larimer Associates on 8:42 AM
We hope everyone has a safe and Happy Thanksgiving! Spend some time
with your friends and family and remember everything in life that you
are thankful for.
Posted by Larimer Associates on 9:50 AM
You just have to make it through this week of work, and then you get
to go home for Thanksgiving. No matter how long your drive is, you need
to make sure you are prepared for holiday travel. Keep reading to find
out how to prepare for your road trip.
Planning to hit the road for the Thanksgiving holiday to visit with
family and friend? You won’t be alone. The AAA forecasts 42.5 million
Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home during the Thanksgiving
holiday weekend, marking a 4-percent increase over last year. Before
you embark, consider these tips to help prepare you and your car for
whatever challenges might be faced on the road.
1. Fuel up. Don’t head out on a long trip without a
full tank of gas. In addition to topping off the tank, also check fluids
and tire pressures before you leave.
2. Be prepared. Bring supplies in the event of an accident or medical issue. Stock your car with an emergency kit—especially a flashlight, blanket, first-aid kit, and some basic tools. Also, bring water and extra snacks, just in case.
3. Pack smart. Check your vehicle’s load capacity to
make sure you aren’t putting too much weight in the car. On most new
cars, the total weight you can carry is printed on a placard (sticker)
inside the driver’s door jamb. This load rating includes all the
passengers and cargo. Also, make sure your gear is packed properly and
will not be a hazard if you stop short.
4. Track it. A portable GPS navigation system
will help you get where you’re going, making it easy to find gas
stations or restaurants along the way. Traffic-enabled devices can warn
of roadway congestion, and all units can assist in finding an alternate
route. Also, a navigator can help direct emergency services to your
location, should something happen. (See "Video: Don't let a GPS navigator steer you wrong.")
5. Kid prep. If you’re driving with kids, make sure
you pack enough snacks, water, games, videos/DVDs, and music to keep
them occupied during your journey. (See our "10 tips for a stress-free road trip with kids" for more advice.)
6. Traveling with pets. Be sure to secure your pets,
either with harnesses and seat belts or by placing them in a crate.
Animals can be a dangerous distraction when driving and physical threat
in an accident, should they travel about the cabin or escape onto a busy
motorway. Bring water, food, toys, leash, and clean-up supplies—you
never know.
7. Be patient. During busy travel times, expect to
hit traffic. It may make sense to drive late at night or early in the
morning to avoid the rush and ensure you get to your destination on time
and with minimal stress. A GPS device with traffic information and an
exit guide can help you navigate around congestion and help find desired
pit stop locations.
8. Don’t be distracted. Cell phones and driving
don’t mix, so if you need to send a message or make a call, hand your
phone to a passenger or pull over. It’s not worth risking your life or
others on the road.
9. Buckle up. Always use your seat belt, make sure
children are properly secured in a car seat and are seated in the rear
seats if they are under 13.
10. Watch for weather. If you’re driving in wintry
weather, make sure you clear off the snow and ice for better visibility,
allow for longer braking distances, and reduce your speed. (Check out
our winter driving guide if you are headed to a snowy location.)
11. Keep control. There could be a variety of
scenarios on the road, but if you stay calm and be prepared you can get
through any challenge. Check out our story “Surviving the worst-case scenarios” for more on driving in fog, snow, or if you car has brake failure, overheats, or your tire blows out.
For more information see
Consumer Reports.
Posted by Larimer Associates on 11:18 AM
This free event features pie tastings and demos from the best chefs in Santa Fe. The event will take place on Saturday November 10th from 1pm-5pm. You will get to try various pies and bid on your favorite pies. The proceeds go to the "Building Hope Project" through The Food Depot.
Free event features pie tastings & demos by Santa Fe's top chefs;
raffles, and holiday pie auction to benefit The Food Depot's 'Building
Hope Project'
If you love pie (and who doesn't?), don't miss the Santa Fe Harvest
Festival's 2012 event, Holiday Pie Mania, on Saturday, November 10th,
1:00-5:00 p.m. at Builders Source Appliance Gallery, 1608
Pacheco St.
Enjoy delectable tastings as you watch Santa Fe's top chefs demonstrate
how to make their signature holiday pies (recipes provided). No time to
bake this season? Bid on your favorite holiday pies, to be freshly
baked in time for your Thanksgiving and other holiday celebrations.
Admission to Holiday Pie Mania is free – plus you will be able to
"share a piece of the pie" with those who need it most: proceeds from
the pie auction and raffles will benefit The Food Depot's "Building Hope
Project." The project's goal is to build a 16,000-square-foot
warehouse on Siler Road that will significantly increase The Food
Depot's capacity, allowing distribution of 10 million meals per year. http://thefooddepot.org/
Holiday Pie Mania's emcee will be well-known local Chef John Vollertsen
(aka "The Pie Piper") and sponsors include Blue Star, KitchenAid, Sub
Zero and Wolf.
For more information see
New Mexico.
Lincoln Place
