HanShotFirst

I would agree with the pre-BF sales. I got my new HP laptop last year from Sam's during their early/mid November sale. 15.6" with optical drive, intel core I5 7th generation, 12GB RAM and 1TB hard drive, HD display. There might have been a better deal on BF itself for these specs but honestly I was happy to get it at $379 and get it off my plate before the BF rush.

Family: 5-6 Close friends: 5 Coworkers: everyone gets a stocking so those get candy in them since there are about 50 stockings. Secret Santa here 2 Senior Tree recipients

Me too on watching Home Alone. LOL. I love it when Freeform channel starts showing Holiday movies. I actually watched The Holiday not long ago too on "regular" TV.

Summer still has its hold down South but on my "to do" list for this weekend is to move my Christmas music playlist back to my phone/iPod for the season. When September hits I'm ready, no matter the temperature outside.

Oh dear. I have to go to Lowe's today. I really need them to not have holiday decorations out. I don't need the temptation yet. LOL

Harbor Freight 10/13

My aunt had a Kenmore front-loader several years ago. She hated it and honeslty I'm not even sure the darn thing lasted 2 full years before it started having issues. I'm perfectly happy with my base-model appliances. While the "fanciness" would be nice, the hassel that some have with them...not so much. I've had my Frigidaire washer for 18 years now and only two minor repairs that I can think of. I've had to replace the matching dryer however and went with Kenmore. So far so good on that one. Now that Sears is fast becoming irrelevant I'm not sure what that will mean for repairs though.

So, is 47 years old too old to buy yourself a toy from Walmart's top toy list? LOL I've never seen nor heard of the littleBits Star Wars Droid Inventor kit but that thing looks awesome for adults and kids alike, especially a Star Wars fan. It seems like the price is pretty reasonabe considering all the features. I'm going to have to investigate this further and just may put it in layaway for a birthday present to myself. https://shop.littlebits.cc/products/droid-inventor-kit?_ga=2.47208615.1251945588.1504793563-232049743.1504793563

Went roaming stores today and I picked up some stocking stuffer items from Tuesday Morning for a few of my co-workers. $2 each. Yay! Now to concentrate on gifts for the family.

I've gathered a few small things (knicknacks, notepads, nice pen) for a friend that lives overseas. I gather things for her year-round and try to ship that package before Thanksgiving since it takes weeks to reach her. Other than that, nothing and I haven't even come up with any ideas for family yet so I feel like I'm already behind.

Oh goodness, Teddy Ruxpin. I was 15/16 when the original Teddy appeared and I remember that thing freaking me out every time I saw a commercial.

I like your ideas budgetsRsexy and am going to try out the notebook thing this year to keep myself more organized. I don't have many gifts to buy but I do use the BF sales to replace or get new household and personal items and I end up having lists everywhere before its over. Do you have gifts that will have to be shipped? If so you could add a section to your notebook as a way to keep track of that.

Yep, I've seen them at both of the Walmart stores in town while scouring the toy aisles for all things Wonder Woman. The first time I saw them I laughed to myself over the craze last year too. I'm anxious to see what this year's craze will be.

Woo Hoo! Hardside luggage is already on my list and maybe a Rose Gold Apple Watch if Series 1 is still being sold. Or a new iPad depending on the shape mine is in by then. It's getting old so she has it's good days and it's bad days.......just like it's Mama.

7 months!! ARGH! Can't even get started with saving. I keep having unplanned/unexpected bills to contend with. Just paid a whopper of a repair bill for my A/C so back to square one I go. Sometimes being a homeowner is more trouble than it's worth.

Yeah. I have got to come up with a savings plan as well. I've tried the $ out of every pay check but it seems like something always happens and I need that extra $25/30. My credit card bill was just ugly.

Already have a list started!

Santa was especially good to me this year. Bluetooth earbuds Dooney & Bourke leather crossbody (in hot pink!) 2 sets of PJ's Ugg rain boots (that was a great surprise) A big box of various bath bombs (can't wait to dig into these) A Tervis Harry Potter marauders map tumbler A Classic Strawberry Shortcake doll. (Santa must have known how much I regret giving away those toys years ago.) Lego Architecture series Eiffel Tower Firefly Series Malcolm Reynolds action figure (another surprise) R2D2 notepad Harry Potter cookbook A beautiful deep purple cashmere throw blanket And with the Amazon gift card I got I ordered myself an Echo Dot while they were still $39.99 (My aunt got one and we had a blast playing with Alexa so I needed to have one too LOL )

Merry Christmas everyone!

All done except for some baking. Mom and I have made a chocolate pie and red velvet cake today. Still have to make fudge but that will be done Friday or Saturday afternoon. Gifts are all wrapped/sacked and ready to go.

Start saving your money now! Really...... It was everything I hoped it would be and more. Worth every penny I spent getting there and I can't wait to go again.

Thank you SS for my gifts! Two of my favorite things......Harry Potter and Wonder Woman. Love them both!! A mug is the one thing I didn't buy last week while at the Wizarding World so perfect timing to get this one.

Finally got all my items, just this week though. It's a good thing because I was racking my brain trying to come up with a replacement gift for the one big thing that was still in limbo and I couldn't come up with a thing except for an "IOU"....... '

They are. I got them from QVC years ago and I think they are on their last leg. Some of the lights on them don't even work anymore but I'll use them until none of them light up because they cost me a fortune. LOL.

Tree and lights for 2016....