1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:03,159 Speaker 1: Welcome to How the Money. I'm Joel and I am Matt's. 2 00:00:03,320 --> 00:00:26,800 Speaker 1: Today we're discussing enjoying the holidays without spending a dime. Yeah, Chel, 3 00:00:26,840 --> 00:00:29,200 Speaker 1: there are so many different reasons for us to spend 4 00:00:29,360 --> 00:00:32,320 Speaker 1: less money around the holidays, and there are many different 5 00:00:32,320 --> 00:00:35,200 Speaker 1: ways for us to do that while still enjoying the holidays. 6 00:00:35,200 --> 00:00:37,640 Speaker 1: I'm excited to talk about this episode with you. I'm 7 00:00:37,640 --> 00:00:40,120 Speaker 1: only sad though, that we don't have hot chocolate here. 8 00:00:41,240 --> 00:00:43,000 Speaker 1: I'm sad that we don't have Christmas music playing in 9 00:00:43,000 --> 00:00:44,879 Speaker 1: the background. Yeah, I feel like those things would be 10 00:00:45,159 --> 00:00:46,440 Speaker 1: help us to get in the spirit a little bit. 11 00:00:46,479 --> 00:00:48,200 Speaker 1: You have a go to Christmas album, map, I feel 12 00:00:48,200 --> 00:00:52,120 Speaker 1: like the classic is like the Mariah Carey h Christmas album. 13 00:00:52,159 --> 00:00:55,160 Speaker 1: That's my wife's favorite, is it really? But personally I'm 14 00:00:55,160 --> 00:00:57,720 Speaker 1: a big fan of that five volume Sufi and Stephen's 15 00:00:57,840 --> 00:01:02,240 Speaker 1: Christmas Album's in Hipster classic so good. It is really good. Yeah, 16 00:01:02,440 --> 00:01:04,360 Speaker 1: I agree. Do you have a favorite? I mean that's 17 00:01:04,440 --> 00:01:06,040 Speaker 1: up there for me, the Soup jan and that's kind 18 00:01:06,040 --> 00:01:07,360 Speaker 1: of that's kind of what I go to a lot 19 00:01:07,480 --> 00:01:10,200 Speaker 1: during the holidays. But I like some old school classics 20 00:01:10,240 --> 00:01:11,759 Speaker 1: as well, some of the old carols from the old 21 00:01:11,800 --> 00:01:17,479 Speaker 1: hymns like Crosbie, those White Christmas soundtrack. Emily tells Alexa 22 00:01:17,520 --> 00:01:19,759 Speaker 1: to play like a Christmas classic station and that always 23 00:01:19,760 --> 00:01:22,000 Speaker 1: works out. Well. Nice, Yeah, but yeah, we got a 24 00:01:22,000 --> 00:01:24,480 Speaker 1: lot to get to on on how people can enjoy 25 00:01:24,480 --> 00:01:26,480 Speaker 1: the holidays without spending too much money, especially as we 26 00:01:26,520 --> 00:01:29,440 Speaker 1: get closer. We're less than three weeks away from Christmas now, 27 00:01:29,480 --> 00:01:31,320 Speaker 1: which is it's it's hard to believe. But before we 28 00:01:31,319 --> 00:01:34,000 Speaker 1: get to that, you wanted to talk about some homemade 29 00:01:34,000 --> 00:01:36,000 Speaker 1: stuff you're doing in your kitchen. Yeah, So in the notes, 30 00:01:36,040 --> 00:01:37,760 Speaker 1: I put a c V and do you even know 31 00:01:37,800 --> 00:01:39,760 Speaker 1: what that stands for? Now? I'm assuming it's see your 32 00:01:39,800 --> 00:01:42,960 Speaker 1: up to no good? Because I didn't, because so I 33 00:01:43,000 --> 00:01:44,399 Speaker 1: saw it all my calendar and I was like, what 34 00:01:44,640 --> 00:01:48,120 Speaker 1: is strain a c V? What the heck is that? 35 00:01:48,600 --> 00:01:50,760 Speaker 1: And it stands for Apple Cider Vinegar And it's something 36 00:01:50,760 --> 00:01:52,800 Speaker 1: that Kate had stuck on the calendar. Back in the fall, 37 00:01:52,880 --> 00:01:55,600 Speaker 1: we went to an orchard, you know, an apple orchard, 38 00:01:55,600 --> 00:01:57,400 Speaker 1: and we picked a bunch of apples, came back with 39 00:01:57,440 --> 00:02:01,280 Speaker 1: like multiple bags of apples from North Georgia, and we 40 00:02:01,320 --> 00:02:03,080 Speaker 1: did a little baking one day and we had a 41 00:02:03,080 --> 00:02:06,240 Speaker 1: bunch of course leftover. Uh, And I was getting ready 42 00:02:06,280 --> 00:02:10,000 Speaker 1: to toss him out. But Kate is incredibly resourceful, especially 43 00:02:10,040 --> 00:02:12,880 Speaker 1: in the kitchen, and she looked up this recipe man 44 00:02:13,000 --> 00:02:15,919 Speaker 1: to make your own apple cider vinegar, and literally all 45 00:02:15,919 --> 00:02:20,240 Speaker 1: it takes our apple cores, sugar and water. So you 46 00:02:20,280 --> 00:02:22,080 Speaker 1: take that and you you have to make sure you 47 00:02:22,120 --> 00:02:24,200 Speaker 1: submerge it, right, so there can't be any apple like 48 00:02:24,280 --> 00:02:26,480 Speaker 1: sticking up out of the water, otherwise it'll mold. But 49 00:02:26,480 --> 00:02:28,920 Speaker 1: then the apples in the water it starts to ferments, 50 00:02:28,960 --> 00:02:33,480 Speaker 1: and you make your own naturally fermented, you know, spontaneously 51 00:02:33,520 --> 00:02:36,800 Speaker 1: fermented apple cider vinegar. Uh. And I am so stoked 52 00:02:36,800 --> 00:02:39,400 Speaker 1: to try it. We actually haven't tried any of it yet, 53 00:02:39,440 --> 00:02:40,959 Speaker 1: So that brings up the question is it frugal or 54 00:02:41,040 --> 00:02:43,480 Speaker 1: cheap to make your own fermented I don't even know 55 00:02:43,520 --> 00:02:46,560 Speaker 1: what you would call it, like drink her food. I mean, 56 00:02:46,880 --> 00:02:48,880 Speaker 1: you know, if people are into it, that's great. I 57 00:02:48,960 --> 00:02:51,600 Speaker 1: think especially some people just love like your wife loves 58 00:02:51,639 --> 00:02:54,600 Speaker 1: being in the kitchen, she loves cooking, she loves probably 59 00:02:54,919 --> 00:02:57,320 Speaker 1: straining her own apple cider vinegar right like that, that's 60 00:02:57,320 --> 00:02:59,000 Speaker 1: the kind of apple chunks out of that. Yeah, she 61 00:02:59,000 --> 00:03:01,519 Speaker 1: gets jazzed about the kind of stuff. Me. I'm the 62 00:03:01,600 --> 00:03:04,760 Speaker 1: kind of guy that doesn't as much. So yeah, for me, 63 00:03:04,800 --> 00:03:07,120 Speaker 1: it would probably be cheap. I'd be trying just to 64 00:03:07,160 --> 00:03:09,799 Speaker 1: save money while doing something I hated. But for other 65 00:03:09,800 --> 00:03:12,120 Speaker 1: people it's frugal because it's a labor of love. It's 66 00:03:12,120 --> 00:03:14,280 Speaker 1: something that they enjoy and at the same time they 67 00:03:14,280 --> 00:03:16,240 Speaker 1: could save money doing it. So yeah, I know. Some 68 00:03:16,280 --> 00:03:19,440 Speaker 1: people make their own beverages, some people brew their own beer, 69 00:03:20,040 --> 00:03:22,600 Speaker 1: and and that's great. It's just not something I'm into. 70 00:03:22,680 --> 00:03:25,880 Speaker 1: I prefer the store bought variety. I mean. My biggest 71 00:03:25,880 --> 00:03:27,480 Speaker 1: concern though, is the fact that this is something that 72 00:03:27,520 --> 00:03:29,480 Speaker 1: sat on top of our fridge in a jar like 73 00:03:29,720 --> 00:03:31,560 Speaker 1: open air, you know, like she put a cloth over 74 00:03:31,560 --> 00:03:33,240 Speaker 1: it to keep, you know, flies and stuff from getting 75 00:03:33,240 --> 00:03:35,760 Speaker 1: in there. But otherwise, I think as Americans, we it's 76 00:03:35,800 --> 00:03:37,480 Speaker 1: weird when we see something that sits out for that 77 00:03:37,560 --> 00:03:39,640 Speaker 1: long and then we think, oh, are we gonna eat that? 78 00:03:40,120 --> 00:03:42,280 Speaker 1: Is that something that's gonna go inside my body? And 79 00:03:42,360 --> 00:03:44,440 Speaker 1: so I'm a little bit nervous there. But it's no 80 00:03:44,480 --> 00:03:46,680 Speaker 1: different I think than kombucha, Like that's not something that 81 00:03:46,720 --> 00:03:49,960 Speaker 1: we've ever created ourselves or lambics. That are made in Belgium. 82 00:03:50,040 --> 00:03:52,920 Speaker 1: I mean, well, I trust a lambic from Belgium, where 83 00:03:52,920 --> 00:03:56,000 Speaker 1: there's been somebody that has done this for you know, millennia. 84 00:03:56,080 --> 00:03:58,040 Speaker 1: It's been in this family where they've they brewed it. 85 00:03:58,040 --> 00:03:59,720 Speaker 1: It's still so interesting when you go and you tour 86 00:03:59,800 --> 00:04:01,960 Speaker 1: one of those Belgian breweries that has what they call 87 00:04:02,000 --> 00:04:04,320 Speaker 1: it's called a cool ship and they're huger the space 88 00:04:04,360 --> 00:04:05,880 Speaker 1: of a room and they put the beer in there 89 00:04:05,920 --> 00:04:08,760 Speaker 1: and it's open air, and there's spiders and there's every 90 00:04:08,960 --> 00:04:11,360 Speaker 1: things like bugs whizzing in and out. But it's it's 91 00:04:11,440 --> 00:04:14,520 Speaker 1: all a part of the TWA. Yeah, it's the most 92 00:04:14,520 --> 00:04:16,720 Speaker 1: delicious tasting beer at the end of the day. And 93 00:04:16,800 --> 00:04:19,279 Speaker 1: so I don't know, man, I think maybe you're gonna 94 00:04:19,400 --> 00:04:22,320 Speaker 1: you're TWA of your a CV is gonna be delicious. 95 00:04:22,360 --> 00:04:24,520 Speaker 1: Maybe it'll be good. Yeah, So I'll post the recipe 96 00:04:24,520 --> 00:04:26,760 Speaker 1: if folks were interested in given this a shot, because 97 00:04:26,800 --> 00:04:28,920 Speaker 1: I was. I really was surprised at how few ingredients 98 00:04:28,960 --> 00:04:30,480 Speaker 1: it took. But yeah, we'll make sure to put that 99 00:04:30,520 --> 00:04:32,159 Speaker 1: in our show notes and all that. Note, Joel, that 100 00:04:32,200 --> 00:04:33,880 Speaker 1: was a good transition as we were kind of talking 101 00:04:33,920 --> 00:04:35,800 Speaker 1: about the beer a little bit. I did want to 102 00:04:35,839 --> 00:04:38,560 Speaker 1: say you are the Martha Stewart of Personal Finance podcast 103 00:04:38,560 --> 00:04:40,600 Speaker 1: hosts Oh you think so? I think so? Okay? Yeah, 104 00:04:40,760 --> 00:04:44,680 Speaker 1: does that make me the snoop Dogg? I don't know. Well. 105 00:04:44,680 --> 00:04:46,960 Speaker 1: On that note, let's introduce our beer for this episode. 106 00:04:47,240 --> 00:04:50,240 Speaker 1: We are enjoying an owl theory. This is by field 107 00:04:50,240 --> 00:04:53,000 Speaker 1: Work Brewing Company. UH and Tim actually sent this one 108 00:04:53,000 --> 00:04:55,880 Speaker 1: our away. We actually participated in a wellness webinar that 109 00:04:56,040 --> 00:04:58,799 Speaker 1: his company hosted a couple of months ago, and obviously 110 00:04:58,800 --> 00:05:00,880 Speaker 1: we talked about personal finance. But I'm looking forward to 111 00:05:00,960 --> 00:05:02,640 Speaker 1: us both enjoying this bearer and we'll talk about it 112 00:05:02,680 --> 00:05:04,640 Speaker 1: at the end of the episode. Sounds good, All right, 113 00:05:04,720 --> 00:05:06,920 Speaker 1: Let's get onto the subject at hand. We're talking about 114 00:05:07,000 --> 00:05:10,120 Speaker 1: enjoying the holidays without spending a dime, and for many 115 00:05:10,120 --> 00:05:13,200 Speaker 1: of us, Matt, I think, our default way of thinking 116 00:05:13,240 --> 00:05:15,760 Speaker 1: in order to have a successful or fun holiday season, 117 00:05:16,400 --> 00:05:18,200 Speaker 1: we feel like we need to spend lots of money. 118 00:05:18,400 --> 00:05:21,360 Speaker 1: We've it's almost been ingrained in us culturally. That's how 119 00:05:21,360 --> 00:05:23,240 Speaker 1: we do it in America. We buy our vinegar, and 120 00:05:23,279 --> 00:05:25,360 Speaker 1: we also buy all of our gifts exactly, and we 121 00:05:25,440 --> 00:05:27,560 Speaker 1: buy more than we need. And it's like we feel 122 00:05:27,600 --> 00:05:29,400 Speaker 1: like we need to have just a ton of presents 123 00:05:29,680 --> 00:05:31,520 Speaker 1: under the tree or you know, wherever you put them 124 00:05:31,520 --> 00:05:33,800 Speaker 1: in your house, and they can't be homemade like you said, 125 00:05:33,880 --> 00:05:36,800 Speaker 1: or reasonably priced either. They kind of be expensive. They've 126 00:05:36,800 --> 00:05:38,760 Speaker 1: got to be kind of showy. And lots of folks 127 00:05:38,880 --> 00:05:41,679 Speaker 1: show that they love someone through over the top gift giving. 128 00:05:41,960 --> 00:05:43,800 Speaker 1: And it's even easy, I think this time of year 129 00:05:43,800 --> 00:05:45,960 Speaker 1: for money conscious folks like our listeners, like you and 130 00:05:46,000 --> 00:05:48,200 Speaker 1: I even at times to get caught up in all 131 00:05:48,279 --> 00:05:51,080 Speaker 1: the spending that happens this time of year. So we 132 00:05:51,120 --> 00:05:53,680 Speaker 1: wanted to create this episode. Um, we wanted to talk 133 00:05:53,720 --> 00:05:57,400 Speaker 1: about enjoying the holidays without going overboard, because we think 134 00:05:57,400 --> 00:05:59,480 Speaker 1: there are ways to do it, ways to get creative 135 00:05:59,640 --> 00:06:01,840 Speaker 1: and at the same time, ways to really actually enjoy 136 00:06:01,920 --> 00:06:04,679 Speaker 1: the holidays more if we're a little bit more money 137 00:06:04,680 --> 00:06:07,520 Speaker 1: conscious over the next few weeks. Yeah, I mean, and 138 00:06:07,560 --> 00:06:10,359 Speaker 1: this is especially true, you know, considering the financial positions 139 00:06:10,480 --> 00:06:13,200 Speaker 1: that a lot of Americans are in after this year, 140 00:06:13,240 --> 00:06:16,279 Speaker 1: after uh, you know, stimulus checks back in the spring, 141 00:06:16,320 --> 00:06:19,880 Speaker 1: where we're nice, those increased unemployment benefits certainly helped, but 142 00:06:19,960 --> 00:06:22,880 Speaker 1: a lot of individuals are still without jobs, which means 143 00:06:22,920 --> 00:06:27,160 Speaker 1: their income has been severely disrupted. As of us recording 144 00:06:27,160 --> 00:06:30,760 Speaker 1: this episode, initial unemployment claims are down to only seven 145 00:06:31,000 --> 00:06:34,520 Speaker 1: nine thousand a week, which is actually good news, but 146 00:06:34,600 --> 00:06:37,279 Speaker 1: that's still way more than where we were this time 147 00:06:37,360 --> 00:06:39,839 Speaker 1: last year, when it was closer to only two hundred 148 00:06:39,880 --> 00:06:43,200 Speaker 1: thousand a week. Yeah, to say that that's good news 149 00:06:43,400 --> 00:06:46,800 Speaker 1: is scary, but it is. I guess you're right when 150 00:06:46,800 --> 00:06:49,159 Speaker 1: you think about where things were, you know, just a 151 00:06:49,200 --> 00:06:51,880 Speaker 1: handful of months back. And aside from that, the impact 152 00:06:52,400 --> 00:06:55,400 Speaker 1: that COVID has had on American incomes, on households and 153 00:06:55,400 --> 00:06:58,960 Speaker 1: what they're able to bring in financially, there's also added 154 00:06:58,960 --> 00:07:01,120 Speaker 1: health constraints this time a year, which means a lot 155 00:07:01,200 --> 00:07:03,880 Speaker 1: of families are separate from each other, or at least 156 00:07:03,880 --> 00:07:06,880 Speaker 1: they're social distancing during their festivities this year. So with 157 00:07:06,920 --> 00:07:09,279 Speaker 1: a lot of families not being together due to COVID, 158 00:07:09,640 --> 00:07:12,600 Speaker 1: I think maybe there's an additional temptation to make up 159 00:07:12,680 --> 00:07:15,640 Speaker 1: for the lack of proximity with increased amount of spending. 160 00:07:15,720 --> 00:07:17,360 Speaker 1: It's kind of like, um, well, it says it can't 161 00:07:17,360 --> 00:07:19,920 Speaker 1: be there in person, I'm gonna get you something super fancy, 162 00:07:20,040 --> 00:07:22,120 Speaker 1: really nice. I wish I was there. I can't be there. 163 00:07:22,200 --> 00:07:24,480 Speaker 1: So let's go ahead and double the Christmas budget this year, 164 00:07:24,560 --> 00:07:27,240 Speaker 1: thinking of you, here's a Tiffany bracelet. I don't know, 165 00:07:27,240 --> 00:07:28,640 Speaker 1: I don't know how you're gonna roll with Emily, right, 166 00:07:28,800 --> 00:07:32,400 Speaker 1: probably yeah, good for you, Joel. Right, But but this 167 00:07:32,480 --> 00:07:35,400 Speaker 1: is totally gonna be a budget busting approach. If people 168 00:07:35,400 --> 00:07:37,280 Speaker 1: do that, if they end up spending more because they 169 00:07:37,280 --> 00:07:40,440 Speaker 1: can't be nearby their family, and that's not necessarily the 170 00:07:40,480 --> 00:07:42,160 Speaker 1: best way to show somebody that you love them. And 171 00:07:42,160 --> 00:07:44,240 Speaker 1: if you spend too much, obviously it's going to lead 172 00:07:44,240 --> 00:07:47,200 Speaker 1: to overspending and it could lead to a debt as well. Yeah, 173 00:07:47,200 --> 00:07:48,960 Speaker 1: and if you're thinking that this isn't really a problem 174 00:07:49,200 --> 00:07:51,679 Speaker 1: for most folks, you know, let alone you. Let's share 175 00:07:51,720 --> 00:07:55,040 Speaker 1: some stats on holiday debts. My favorite that's on Hoiday. 176 00:07:55,280 --> 00:07:57,720 Speaker 1: Let's do it man. According to Magnify Money, they every 177 00:07:57,760 --> 00:08:00,160 Speaker 1: year they do a post holiday debt survey. Uh, they 178 00:08:00,160 --> 00:08:03,200 Speaker 1: did one of last year's spending. According to that research, 179 00:08:03,320 --> 00:08:07,880 Speaker 1: Americans racked up an average of one thousand dollars during 180 00:08:07,920 --> 00:08:10,320 Speaker 1: the holidays. And I think one of the more interesting 181 00:08:10,360 --> 00:08:12,560 Speaker 1: things here is that of the consumers who took on 182 00:08:12,640 --> 00:08:15,760 Speaker 1: that debt, the majority didn't plan on doing, so it 183 00:08:15,880 --> 00:08:19,040 Speaker 1: just happened, right, And so the reason that we're talking 184 00:08:19,040 --> 00:08:21,160 Speaker 1: about this today is because it's not good enough to 185 00:08:21,280 --> 00:08:23,400 Speaker 1: just you know, hope for the best, to just cross 186 00:08:23,440 --> 00:08:25,960 Speaker 1: our fingers. We need to change the way that we 187 00:08:26,000 --> 00:08:28,480 Speaker 1: approach our holiday spending. And so that's our that's our 188 00:08:28,480 --> 00:08:30,840 Speaker 1: goal for this episode. Yeah, yeah, and yeah, Matt, you 189 00:08:31,000 --> 00:08:34,160 Speaker 1: mentioned that people didn't have a plan, and that's it 190 00:08:34,280 --> 00:08:35,960 Speaker 1: just kind of happened, right that that was their excuse 191 00:08:36,000 --> 00:08:37,640 Speaker 1: at the end of the day when they were interviewed 192 00:08:37,640 --> 00:08:40,720 Speaker 1: for this survey. And we don't have a plan to 193 00:08:40,800 --> 00:08:43,839 Speaker 1: not overspend, the likelihood that we will ever spend goes 194 00:08:43,920 --> 00:08:47,160 Speaker 1: up dramatically, and then this debt has potential to even 195 00:08:47,200 --> 00:08:50,640 Speaker 1: stick around for years, all in the name of of 196 00:08:50,679 --> 00:08:53,920 Speaker 1: a joyous holiday season, of having a good time during 197 00:08:54,040 --> 00:08:56,679 Speaker 1: the Christmas holidays, or whatever holiday you celebrate this time 198 00:08:56,679 --> 00:08:59,880 Speaker 1: of year. And in that same debt survey, of folks 199 00:08:59,920 --> 00:09:02,120 Speaker 1: were only making the minimum payment on the cards that 200 00:09:02,160 --> 00:09:04,720 Speaker 1: they racked up dent on. So not only is it 201 00:09:04,720 --> 00:09:07,880 Speaker 1: going to take longer to pay for all that holiday spending, 202 00:09:08,040 --> 00:09:10,240 Speaker 1: but you could end up paying massive amounts on interest 203 00:09:10,240 --> 00:09:12,480 Speaker 1: on the holiday gifts and items you purchased. So it's 204 00:09:12,480 --> 00:09:14,920 Speaker 1: not just the Tiffany bracelet, but it's a Tiffany bracelet 205 00:09:15,080 --> 00:09:19,760 Speaker 1: with finance with uh interest rate attached to an ouch man. 206 00:09:19,920 --> 00:09:22,480 Speaker 1: And yeah, also, we wanted to mention you know that 207 00:09:22,520 --> 00:09:25,720 Speaker 1: we're referring specifically to Christmas some in the course of 208 00:09:25,720 --> 00:09:27,840 Speaker 1: this episode. That's because it tends to be the biggest 209 00:09:27,880 --> 00:09:30,400 Speaker 1: consumption driver of the holidays this time of year. But 210 00:09:30,440 --> 00:09:32,480 Speaker 1: when you look at the history of Christmas, it hasn't 211 00:09:32,520 --> 00:09:35,480 Speaker 1: always been about scoring all the best deals and you know, 212 00:09:35,559 --> 00:09:38,600 Speaker 1: getting presents to the max. Uh not, you know, not 213 00:09:38,679 --> 00:09:40,960 Speaker 1: that gifts haven't been a regular part of the holidays 214 00:09:41,000 --> 00:09:43,720 Speaker 1: for hundreds of years, but you know, the marketing hype 215 00:09:44,000 --> 00:09:47,560 Speaker 1: has caused us to change much of our perceptions are 216 00:09:47,640 --> 00:09:51,280 Speaker 1: kids expectations about what the holiday should look like. So 217 00:09:51,720 --> 00:09:55,560 Speaker 1: just remember that even though overspending in Christmas aren't massively 218 00:09:55,600 --> 00:09:58,640 Speaker 1: intertwined these days, it hasn't always been that way and 219 00:09:58,679 --> 00:10:00,440 Speaker 1: it doesn't have to be that way for you and 220 00:10:00,520 --> 00:10:03,000 Speaker 1: you know, for your family. There are specific ways to 221 00:10:03,120 --> 00:10:05,880 Speaker 1: change the trajectory of your holiday season, and we've got 222 00:10:05,880 --> 00:10:17,280 Speaker 1: more on that right after this break. All right, we're 223 00:10:17,320 --> 00:10:19,679 Speaker 1: back from the break. We're talking about enjoying the holidays 224 00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:22,400 Speaker 1: without spending a dime. I don't know why we didn't 225 00:10:22,440 --> 00:10:24,679 Speaker 1: say penny or nickel, Matt, dime. You don't want to 226 00:10:24,679 --> 00:10:28,319 Speaker 1: spend a dime? Exactly? Why did dime become the reference 227 00:10:28,360 --> 00:10:30,400 Speaker 1: to piece of currency when you're talking about that, I 228 00:10:30,440 --> 00:10:32,400 Speaker 1: don't know. Maybe because you can't buy anything these days 229 00:10:32,400 --> 00:10:34,360 Speaker 1: with a penny or nickel. That's true, that's true. A 230 00:10:34,400 --> 00:10:36,400 Speaker 1: dime maybe something. I mean, I know it costs more 231 00:10:36,440 --> 00:10:38,400 Speaker 1: to produce a PENNI than a penny is actually worth. 232 00:10:38,520 --> 00:10:40,439 Speaker 1: And I think it's almost to that point with a nickel. Yeah, 233 00:10:40,480 --> 00:10:42,280 Speaker 1: it's gotta be. There's gotta be. So let's get rid 234 00:10:42,280 --> 00:10:43,720 Speaker 1: of the peny, let's get rid of the nickel. Let's 235 00:10:43,720 --> 00:10:45,600 Speaker 1: only let's start with dimes, put chips in our risks 236 00:10:45,600 --> 00:10:48,000 Speaker 1: and pay with everything. That way, you could that smart 237 00:10:48,000 --> 00:10:50,320 Speaker 1: watching might be going in that direction, But we digress. 238 00:10:50,400 --> 00:10:52,600 Speaker 1: Let's get back to the topic. We're we're talking on 239 00:10:52,640 --> 00:10:56,280 Speaker 1: this episode about about not spending any money really when 240 00:10:56,320 --> 00:10:58,199 Speaker 1: it comes to having an enjoyable holidays. And I think 241 00:10:58,440 --> 00:11:00,599 Speaker 1: you know it's it's our hope in this episode that 242 00:11:00,720 --> 00:11:02,480 Speaker 1: we're talking about what will help you to shift and 243 00:11:02,520 --> 00:11:05,360 Speaker 1: alter the way that you think about the holidays and 244 00:11:05,400 --> 00:11:09,079 Speaker 1: holiday spending, and it all starts with how intentional you're 245 00:11:09,160 --> 00:11:12,040 Speaker 1: being with your holiday spending and how you're approaching that 246 00:11:12,080 --> 00:11:14,360 Speaker 1: with your friends and family. And man, I think too, 247 00:11:14,440 --> 00:11:16,320 Speaker 1: you know, we we did say the title of this 248 00:11:16,360 --> 00:11:19,600 Speaker 1: episode enjoying the holidays without spending a dime. But it's 249 00:11:19,600 --> 00:11:21,600 Speaker 1: not like you and I are not spending any money 250 00:11:21,600 --> 00:11:23,280 Speaker 1: on gifts for the people that we love. Yeah, we're 251 00:11:23,280 --> 00:11:25,880 Speaker 1: not taking it that literally. Yes, yeah, So we want 252 00:11:25,920 --> 00:11:27,679 Speaker 1: you to know that too, that it's not like we're 253 00:11:27,679 --> 00:11:30,960 Speaker 1: saying don't spend anything on gifts for anybody. That sounds 254 00:11:30,960 --> 00:11:33,480 Speaker 1: a little gritchy. Actually, well that's the thing. We're not 255 00:11:33,480 --> 00:11:36,480 Speaker 1: trying to be like ba humbugs here, right. We want 256 00:11:36,520 --> 00:11:39,079 Speaker 1: people to get into like the spirit. We want folks 257 00:11:39,080 --> 00:11:40,480 Speaker 1: to have that holiday ch here, but we want them 258 00:11:40,480 --> 00:11:43,040 Speaker 1: to achieve that with a change in the way that 259 00:11:43,080 --> 00:11:45,280 Speaker 1: they're they're thinking about things, not by just throwing a 260 00:11:45,280 --> 00:11:46,920 Speaker 1: bunch of money at it. Yeah yeah, I mean you 261 00:11:46,960 --> 00:11:48,640 Speaker 1: and I were gonna spend money on our kids and 262 00:11:48,640 --> 00:11:51,160 Speaker 1: on our spouses and on a few close family members 263 00:11:51,559 --> 00:11:54,040 Speaker 1: and and then small gifts for some friends that we 264 00:11:54,080 --> 00:11:57,000 Speaker 1: love to but we're gonna take more measured approach, and 265 00:11:57,200 --> 00:11:59,840 Speaker 1: that's really what what we're talking about here. Yeah, one 266 00:11:59,840 --> 00:12:02,199 Speaker 1: thing to note too is if you're listening to this 267 00:12:02,320 --> 00:12:05,080 Speaker 1: and you're thinking, Okay, this episode came a little bit 268 00:12:05,120 --> 00:12:08,319 Speaker 1: too late. I've already purchased way too much stuff. Maybe 269 00:12:08,360 --> 00:12:11,080 Speaker 1: I went notes on Black Friday. Maybe, so you know, 270 00:12:11,120 --> 00:12:13,920 Speaker 1: maybe you've already gone overboard. If that's the case, you know, 271 00:12:14,400 --> 00:12:16,800 Speaker 1: just remember that it's not too late to make some returns. 272 00:12:17,240 --> 00:12:21,640 Speaker 1: And that sounds maybe like almost anti patriotic to say, like, 273 00:12:21,800 --> 00:12:23,960 Speaker 1: go ahead and return this Christmas gifts, but know that 274 00:12:24,000 --> 00:12:27,439 Speaker 1: you're able to rethink how you can approach gift giving 275 00:12:27,440 --> 00:12:30,200 Speaker 1: this year. It's the joy to give people. We you know, 276 00:12:30,240 --> 00:12:32,240 Speaker 1: we love things that we know that they will love. Right, 277 00:12:32,480 --> 00:12:35,000 Speaker 1: But if it means buying stuff that we can't afford, 278 00:12:35,040 --> 00:12:37,480 Speaker 1: if it means financing those things, then it becomes a 279 00:12:37,559 --> 00:12:40,200 Speaker 1: financial burden and it's not worth it. You still got 280 00:12:40,200 --> 00:12:42,880 Speaker 1: time to cut down on the costs of the holidays 281 00:12:43,120 --> 00:12:46,120 Speaker 1: by taking things back that you will potentially be paying 282 00:12:46,120 --> 00:12:48,400 Speaker 1: off for much of. Yeah, you don't want to be 283 00:12:48,760 --> 00:12:51,920 Speaker 1: a negative part of Magnifying Money's survey next year, right 284 00:12:52,280 --> 00:12:54,600 Speaker 1: that you're in way too much that after the holidays, 285 00:12:54,640 --> 00:12:56,439 Speaker 1: don't become a statistic and it's just and it's just 286 00:12:56,520 --> 00:12:59,199 Speaker 1: not worth it, like it is fun. I understand the 287 00:12:59,320 --> 00:13:02,160 Speaker 1: joy in the on of of spending money and buying 288 00:13:02,200 --> 00:13:05,000 Speaker 1: somebody the perfect gift, but again, yeah, if it leaves 289 00:13:05,040 --> 00:13:07,800 Speaker 1: you with months and months of regret afterwards, it's not 290 00:13:07,920 --> 00:13:10,200 Speaker 1: worth that moment of joy. Uh. And And that there 291 00:13:10,200 --> 00:13:12,960 Speaker 1: are ways to to give gifts without spending much money 292 00:13:12,960 --> 00:13:15,839 Speaker 1: at all or any money. Gift giving is one of 293 00:13:15,880 --> 00:13:20,240 Speaker 1: the major challenges of enjoying the holidays without spending a dime, right, 294 00:13:20,400 --> 00:13:22,800 Speaker 1: Challenging yourself to give gifts they don't cost any money, 295 00:13:23,240 --> 00:13:26,800 Speaker 1: challenges you to get creative. How creative can you be? 296 00:13:27,440 --> 00:13:29,240 Speaker 1: And giving the gift of your time, Matt and I 297 00:13:29,320 --> 00:13:31,599 Speaker 1: think is one really meaningful way to do this in 298 00:13:31,760 --> 00:13:34,440 Speaker 1: order to not spend any money, but to give quality 299 00:13:34,520 --> 00:13:36,719 Speaker 1: time to someone that you love instead. Right. For For 300 00:13:36,840 --> 00:13:39,240 Speaker 1: some folks, this could be as simple as a one 301 00:13:39,320 --> 00:13:41,640 Speaker 1: on one day that you spend with a sibling doing 302 00:13:41,720 --> 00:13:44,160 Speaker 1: something that they love to do, or a double date 303 00:13:44,200 --> 00:13:46,520 Speaker 1: with you and your partner and your parents right at 304 00:13:46,520 --> 00:13:49,319 Speaker 1: the end of the day. Though relationships are better and 305 00:13:49,400 --> 00:13:52,280 Speaker 1: more important than physical gifts, until giving that gift of 306 00:13:52,360 --> 00:13:55,400 Speaker 1: time can actually be even more meaningful than giving someone 307 00:13:55,559 --> 00:13:59,040 Speaker 1: like an actual item that you've purchased that they would enjoy. Two. Yeah, 308 00:13:59,120 --> 00:14:00,760 Speaker 1: you know, along that same train of thought, you know, 309 00:14:00,840 --> 00:14:03,079 Speaker 1: giving a voucher or a coupon for a task er 310 00:14:03,240 --> 00:14:05,760 Speaker 1: chore that needs to be done is also a way 311 00:14:05,840 --> 00:14:08,400 Speaker 1: to to not spend any money. Specifically, think through some 312 00:14:08,520 --> 00:14:11,040 Speaker 1: tasks I think that you specifically are good at, you know, 313 00:14:11,160 --> 00:14:13,360 Speaker 1: or even chores that only you can get done. I 314 00:14:13,440 --> 00:14:15,439 Speaker 1: really appreciate the voucher you just gave me, Matt for 315 00:14:15,520 --> 00:14:17,480 Speaker 1: cleaning our toilets. I was so nice of you, as 316 00:14:17,520 --> 00:14:21,520 Speaker 1: you've proven that's something that you are incapable of. But 317 00:14:21,640 --> 00:14:24,440 Speaker 1: maybe this is helping a parent go through and organize 318 00:14:24,480 --> 00:14:26,800 Speaker 1: their photo library on their computer, right, Like, something that's 319 00:14:26,840 --> 00:14:29,680 Speaker 1: kind of technology related might be kind of a way 320 00:14:29,760 --> 00:14:31,680 Speaker 1: to think about it. Or another example I'm thinking of 321 00:14:31,880 --> 00:14:34,560 Speaker 1: is maybe fixing something that is broken that happens to 322 00:14:34,600 --> 00:14:37,680 Speaker 1: be driving your spouse or your partner crazy. So, for instance, Joel, 323 00:14:37,720 --> 00:14:39,680 Speaker 1: I've got a little story for you. Kate's got this 324 00:14:39,760 --> 00:14:43,520 Speaker 1: fifteen inch cast iron skillet, right, I mean it's huge. 325 00:14:44,000 --> 00:14:46,440 Speaker 1: We cook everything on there, and she recently got this 326 00:14:46,520 --> 00:14:48,080 Speaker 1: glass lid that goes on top of it with this 327 00:14:48,200 --> 00:14:50,320 Speaker 1: tiny little knob handle in the in the middle for 328 00:14:50,400 --> 00:14:53,840 Speaker 1: this giant fifteen inch pan. Uh, well, it's stripped out. 329 00:14:53,920 --> 00:14:55,320 Speaker 1: The screw came out of it, and we were no 330 00:14:55,400 --> 00:14:56,800 Speaker 1: longer able to use it. So we were like, oh, 331 00:14:56,960 --> 00:14:59,040 Speaker 1: we set it back, thinking maybe it was a manufactured defect. 332 00:14:59,040 --> 00:15:00,800 Speaker 1: They sent us a new one a few days later, 333 00:15:01,080 --> 00:15:04,240 Speaker 1: same stinking thing happened. It's just poorly designed. And so 334 00:15:04,480 --> 00:15:07,840 Speaker 1: instead of going through the entire return process again, I thought, 335 00:15:07,880 --> 00:15:09,440 Speaker 1: you know what, I bet I could make my own 336 00:15:09,520 --> 00:15:11,480 Speaker 1: handle for this thing. And so I found some scrap 337 00:15:11,560 --> 00:15:13,280 Speaker 1: wood that we had on the basement, made some cuts, 338 00:15:13,560 --> 00:15:15,640 Speaker 1: sanded it OUs. It was nice and smooth, and kind 339 00:15:15,640 --> 00:15:17,440 Speaker 1: of ran a screw up in there oiled it, you know. 340 00:15:17,520 --> 00:15:19,320 Speaker 1: So it was nice and pretty. Dude, that thing works 341 00:15:19,480 --> 00:15:22,400 Speaker 1: so well. Uh. And that's something that Kate she like, 342 00:15:22,440 --> 00:15:24,360 Speaker 1: she couldn't have even purchased something like that, And it's 343 00:15:24,400 --> 00:15:27,120 Speaker 1: something I was like, I'm not a woodworker, but I 344 00:15:27,200 --> 00:15:29,160 Speaker 1: was handy enough to make some cuts and find a 345 00:15:29,240 --> 00:15:32,280 Speaker 1: way to solve a problem that made her life, I 346 00:15:32,320 --> 00:15:35,360 Speaker 1: mean significantly better. In particular, when it comes to using 347 00:15:35,440 --> 00:15:37,480 Speaker 1: that lid. And so in our case, that's something that 348 00:15:37,720 --> 00:15:39,920 Speaker 1: I was able to kind of step in and provide. 349 00:15:40,440 --> 00:15:43,000 Speaker 1: Literally didn't cost me anything because that's used scrap wood 350 00:15:43,040 --> 00:15:44,600 Speaker 1: and found some screws that we had laying around in 351 00:15:44,640 --> 00:15:46,480 Speaker 1: my screw drawer down in the basement down there where 352 00:15:46,520 --> 00:15:48,440 Speaker 1: we keep the bikes. But that's the kind of creative 353 00:15:48,560 --> 00:15:50,520 Speaker 1: problem solving I want to point people towards. And it 354 00:15:50,560 --> 00:15:53,440 Speaker 1: didn't cost anything. They say, the best businesses are started 355 00:15:53,600 --> 00:15:56,360 Speaker 1: when somebody sees a pain point and they want to 356 00:15:56,400 --> 00:15:59,560 Speaker 1: relieve it by creating something. And maybe the best gift 357 00:15:59,720 --> 00:16:02,120 Speaker 1: is own by seeing a pain point in someone that 358 00:16:02,200 --> 00:16:04,400 Speaker 1: he loves life and then finding a way to help 359 00:16:04,440 --> 00:16:06,600 Speaker 1: resolve that. And oftentimes you're right, I think it can 360 00:16:06,720 --> 00:16:09,880 Speaker 1: be free or incredibly inexpensive. We wanted to make that happen. 361 00:16:10,120 --> 00:16:12,440 Speaker 1: But let's talk about another way that somebody could use 362 00:16:12,680 --> 00:16:15,480 Speaker 1: their time in order to give a gift. And I'm 363 00:16:15,480 --> 00:16:17,560 Speaker 1: thinking of maybe like parents who are wanting their attic 364 00:16:17,640 --> 00:16:20,360 Speaker 1: cleared out because there's so much junk in there um 365 00:16:20,440 --> 00:16:22,720 Speaker 1: and and they have a hard time going through some 366 00:16:22,840 --> 00:16:25,240 Speaker 1: of that stuff on their own, and you could help 367 00:16:25,320 --> 00:16:28,040 Speaker 1: them do that. Stuff's been sitting around maybe for decades. 368 00:16:28,040 --> 00:16:30,680 Speaker 1: They're afraid of tossing it out because of sentimental reasons. 369 00:16:31,080 --> 00:16:32,920 Speaker 1: And then you, as they're growing up child, you can 370 00:16:32,960 --> 00:16:35,600 Speaker 1: actually help them call their possessions. And you know what 371 00:16:36,000 --> 00:16:37,760 Speaker 1: I'll say too, it's going to help you on the 372 00:16:38,000 --> 00:16:41,160 Speaker 1: end one of these days. Or maybe it's even from 373 00:16:41,200 --> 00:16:44,560 Speaker 1: having to move that stuff one of these days. Yeah, 374 00:16:44,600 --> 00:16:47,760 Speaker 1: for sure. And maybe it's even your parents who own 375 00:16:47,920 --> 00:16:49,840 Speaker 1: boxes and stuff that are keeping around in case you 376 00:16:49,960 --> 00:16:52,640 Speaker 1: might want it. Instead of avoiding that conversation. Maybe this 377 00:16:52,760 --> 00:16:55,080 Speaker 1: is the year that you tackle that stuff right and 378 00:16:55,360 --> 00:16:57,360 Speaker 1: you decided to give some away. You find the things 379 00:16:57,400 --> 00:16:59,080 Speaker 1: that you want to keep, but that gets rid of 380 00:16:59,160 --> 00:17:01,720 Speaker 1: a headache or your parents. Right, and this could be 381 00:17:01,880 --> 00:17:04,119 Speaker 1: especially helpful if all that stuff is is sitting in 382 00:17:04,280 --> 00:17:07,399 Speaker 1: storage costing them money. Right, I think what ten percent 383 00:17:07,440 --> 00:17:10,399 Speaker 1: of households rent a sell storage facility and the average 384 00:17:10,440 --> 00:17:12,240 Speaker 1: cost of that is like just under a hundred dollars 385 00:17:12,240 --> 00:17:14,240 Speaker 1: a month. So you could save your parents money and 386 00:17:14,359 --> 00:17:16,480 Speaker 1: solve a problem in their lives just through a little 387 00:17:16,480 --> 00:17:19,320 Speaker 1: bit of time. Um, it doesn't actually cost you any 388 00:17:19,520 --> 00:17:21,879 Speaker 1: money in order to give that gift. Yeah, that's right. 389 00:17:21,960 --> 00:17:23,520 Speaker 1: And you know, while we're talking, we're kind of talking 390 00:17:23,560 --> 00:17:25,840 Speaker 1: about coupons and vouchers, that kind of thing. Of course, 391 00:17:26,160 --> 00:17:30,040 Speaker 1: kids creating certificates of some special chore in there done 392 00:17:30,080 --> 00:17:32,400 Speaker 1: that that they could do around the house. Is that's 393 00:17:32,440 --> 00:17:35,040 Speaker 1: like a classic, right and so like, as a parent, 394 00:17:35,119 --> 00:17:37,240 Speaker 1: avoid going out with your kid and spending an afternoon 395 00:17:37,280 --> 00:17:39,960 Speaker 1: wandering around a department store or sitting down on the 396 00:17:39,960 --> 00:17:42,960 Speaker 1: computer and kind of clicking through Amazon or whatnot where 397 00:17:43,000 --> 00:17:44,879 Speaker 1: you're helping them to like pick out a gift for 398 00:17:44,920 --> 00:17:46,800 Speaker 1: your partner. You know, that might just end up being 399 00:17:46,800 --> 00:17:49,520 Speaker 1: a total waste of money. Instead, take a more thoughtful approach, 400 00:17:49,840 --> 00:17:51,840 Speaker 1: help them to create one of these coupons. You know, 401 00:17:51,960 --> 00:17:54,080 Speaker 1: these can be as simple as like, here are five 402 00:17:54,119 --> 00:17:57,200 Speaker 1: vouchers to windex all the windows in the house. You know, 403 00:17:57,560 --> 00:17:59,880 Speaker 1: these can just be one time tasks and then it's over. 404 00:18:00,160 --> 00:18:03,439 Speaker 1: But it could also involve like ongoing behavior in chores 405 00:18:03,560 --> 00:18:06,240 Speaker 1: that a kid would be responsible for. And definitely, you know, Joel, 406 00:18:06,240 --> 00:18:08,240 Speaker 1: you mentioned these pain points a second ago, but like, 407 00:18:08,359 --> 00:18:12,000 Speaker 1: sit down and challenge your kids to maybe think through 408 00:18:12,160 --> 00:18:14,440 Speaker 1: some of these pain points. Ask yourself, what are some 409 00:18:14,800 --> 00:18:18,119 Speaker 1: areas that make life difficult that you could you know, 410 00:18:18,240 --> 00:18:20,680 Speaker 1: both sit down figure out a solution for I'm thinking 411 00:18:20,760 --> 00:18:24,520 Speaker 1: in our house, like laundry is uh just a terrible 412 00:18:24,600 --> 00:18:27,400 Speaker 1: ongoing problem. We've got three girls, and they all love 413 00:18:27,560 --> 00:18:30,760 Speaker 1: to constantly change their clothes, and their dirty clothes end 414 00:18:30,840 --> 00:18:32,680 Speaker 1: up on the floor in the room, we're out in 415 00:18:32,680 --> 00:18:35,119 Speaker 1: the hallway, basically all over the place. And so if 416 00:18:35,160 --> 00:18:36,480 Speaker 1: I was able to sit down with them and we 417 00:18:36,560 --> 00:18:39,000 Speaker 1: kind of formulated this plan, uh, and we kind of 418 00:18:39,119 --> 00:18:42,160 Speaker 1: you know, quote unquote gifted that to Kate. I think 419 00:18:42,359 --> 00:18:45,600 Speaker 1: that would be basically like the gift of the decade 420 00:18:46,320 --> 00:18:48,920 Speaker 1: because it's something that she would appreciate so much because 421 00:18:48,960 --> 00:18:51,359 Speaker 1: so much of her time, in particular when you're virtual 422 00:18:51,400 --> 00:18:52,960 Speaker 1: schooling and you're kind of managing the kids at home, 423 00:18:53,040 --> 00:18:55,439 Speaker 1: which Kate does, but so much of your time has 424 00:18:55,520 --> 00:18:58,679 Speaker 1: just spent making sure the house is like staying together. 425 00:18:58,800 --> 00:19:00,760 Speaker 1: And I mean it's an incredible hard task. I don't 426 00:19:00,840 --> 00:19:02,720 Speaker 1: envy her at all. But if we were able to 427 00:19:02,960 --> 00:19:05,480 Speaker 1: figure out a solution to that problem, I think that's 428 00:19:05,520 --> 00:19:08,400 Speaker 1: something that Kate would really like. Yeah, no, I think 429 00:19:08,440 --> 00:19:10,280 Speaker 1: she would do. You're right, now that I've said it 430 00:19:10,320 --> 00:19:12,399 Speaker 1: out loud, I'm pretty sure I have to actually follow 431 00:19:12,440 --> 00:19:14,439 Speaker 1: through and do this and you're committed, buddy, Yeah, you've 432 00:19:14,440 --> 00:19:16,080 Speaker 1: got to make that happen. I think yeah, I think 433 00:19:16,160 --> 00:19:18,360 Speaker 1: that is the kind of creative thinking there really needs 434 00:19:18,400 --> 00:19:20,879 Speaker 1: to go into gift giving. And you're right, I think 435 00:19:20,960 --> 00:19:23,480 Speaker 1: you can actually give somebody a gift that they didn't 436 00:19:23,520 --> 00:19:26,639 Speaker 1: ask for, but that far exceeds any expectations that they 437 00:19:26,680 --> 00:19:29,520 Speaker 1: had for what they might receive based on creativity and 438 00:19:29,560 --> 00:19:31,199 Speaker 1: a little bit of time, and of course too, when 439 00:19:31,240 --> 00:19:33,320 Speaker 1: you spend your time in order to try to enjoy 440 00:19:33,359 --> 00:19:35,840 Speaker 1: the holidays. It's not just about gifts to your family, 441 00:19:36,200 --> 00:19:38,400 Speaker 1: but there is also a lot of joy that comes 442 00:19:38,480 --> 00:19:41,639 Speaker 1: from serving others this time of year, particularly people that 443 00:19:41,720 --> 00:19:44,680 Speaker 1: are going through a hardship. And and Matt, I'm I 444 00:19:44,880 --> 00:19:47,120 Speaker 1: don't know if you've seen the statistics. I think one 445 00:19:47,240 --> 00:19:49,240 Speaker 1: out of five American families has had to go to 446 00:19:49,320 --> 00:19:52,399 Speaker 1: a food pantry at some point since the pandemic started. 447 00:19:52,680 --> 00:19:55,159 Speaker 1: So there are a lot of people in need in 448 00:19:55,240 --> 00:19:58,760 Speaker 1: particular right now in our country, and serving together with 449 00:19:58,840 --> 00:20:02,000 Speaker 1: the people you love is a great way to enjoy 450 00:20:02,160 --> 00:20:04,800 Speaker 1: each other while also providing some of that much needed 451 00:20:04,840 --> 00:20:08,040 Speaker 1: assistance that nonprofits out there are looking for. And maybe 452 00:20:08,200 --> 00:20:11,400 Speaker 1: even your neighbor or people nearby where you live are 453 00:20:11,440 --> 00:20:13,560 Speaker 1: in need of Yeah, you can make a meal for 454 00:20:13,640 --> 00:20:16,200 Speaker 1: that elderly neighbor, right, or maybe it's volunteering at a 455 00:20:16,240 --> 00:20:18,960 Speaker 1: soup kitchen or participating in a coat drive for the homeless. 456 00:20:19,240 --> 00:20:21,440 Speaker 1: You could even deliver them yourself and have that actually 457 00:20:21,560 --> 00:20:24,480 Speaker 1: be an activity something that uh that you look forward 458 00:20:24,480 --> 00:20:26,720 Speaker 1: to doing around the holidays, you know. But serving others 459 00:20:27,040 --> 00:20:30,720 Speaker 1: is key to feeling the holiday spirit without spending much money. 460 00:20:30,960 --> 00:20:32,800 Speaker 1: So Joel, these are some different ways how we can 461 00:20:32,960 --> 00:20:35,679 Speaker 1: spend our time, right, But we've got some more ideas 462 00:20:35,720 --> 00:20:37,800 Speaker 1: for ways to enjoy the holidays for free, ways that 463 00:20:37,880 --> 00:20:39,760 Speaker 1: involve a little bit of creativity and how does that 464 00:20:39,880 --> 00:20:42,959 Speaker 1: we approach different activities and we'll get to those right 465 00:20:43,040 --> 00:20:54,359 Speaker 1: after this break, all right, So we are back and 466 00:20:54,400 --> 00:20:57,159 Speaker 1: we're talking about ways and Joel, the holidays without spending 467 00:20:57,160 --> 00:20:59,959 Speaker 1: a dime. And you know, at the core of discover 468 00:21:00,000 --> 00:21:01,720 Speaker 1: bring these you know, free and kind of creative things 469 00:21:01,800 --> 00:21:04,159 Speaker 1: that we can do to enjoy the holidays. Really at 470 00:21:04,160 --> 00:21:05,800 Speaker 1: the core of this is the ability to bring us 471 00:21:05,840 --> 00:21:08,359 Speaker 1: together in order to kind of ramp up and build 472 00:21:08,359 --> 00:21:11,520 Speaker 1: these relationships. Right, Like we're talking about togetherness here and 473 00:21:12,240 --> 00:21:14,360 Speaker 1: the things that we're that we're going to continue to recommend. 474 00:21:14,440 --> 00:21:17,520 Speaker 1: Like they're not groundbreaking, you know, but with a little 475 00:21:17,520 --> 00:21:21,119 Speaker 1: bit of kind of creativity and intentionality, you can make 476 00:21:21,200 --> 00:21:24,800 Speaker 1: what might have been otherwise an ordinary holiday activity super special. 477 00:21:24,880 --> 00:21:26,560 Speaker 1: I think it really does all come down to just 478 00:21:26,760 --> 00:21:29,840 Speaker 1: your approach and and being intentional with your your time 479 00:21:29,880 --> 00:21:32,200 Speaker 1: and how you're approaching these things. Yeah, man, I completely agree. 480 00:21:32,320 --> 00:21:34,879 Speaker 1: And one of the things that our family loves to do. 481 00:21:35,320 --> 00:21:37,240 Speaker 1: We loved and just like a lot of other families, 482 00:21:37,359 --> 00:21:39,840 Speaker 1: go around, drive around in your car and look at 483 00:21:39,920 --> 00:21:43,000 Speaker 1: Christmas lights. Who doesn't love that? Right? There's this, uh, 484 00:21:43,080 --> 00:21:45,000 Speaker 1: this one house we have to go buy multiple times 485 00:21:45,040 --> 00:21:47,080 Speaker 1: every year that's close to where my parents live, and 486 00:21:47,160 --> 00:21:50,240 Speaker 1: they just go I mean to an absurd level. Uh, 487 00:21:50,320 --> 00:21:52,119 Speaker 1: the amount of life they use. I would like to know, 488 00:21:52,280 --> 00:21:53,880 Speaker 1: and I would like to know what their electricity bill 489 00:21:53,960 --> 00:21:56,760 Speaker 1: is because it gets a little insane, but probably don't 490 00:21:56,760 --> 00:21:59,239 Speaker 1: want to know it make you cry, right, you might 491 00:21:59,320 --> 00:22:01,480 Speaker 1: feel that like I can no longer support this. I'm sorry. 492 00:22:01,520 --> 00:22:04,080 Speaker 1: People do you have like a little donation box, which 493 00:22:04,119 --> 00:22:06,000 Speaker 1: is great and they deserve it because they bring a 494 00:22:06,040 --> 00:22:07,320 Speaker 1: lot of chair. We'll just sit there for like ten 495 00:22:07,359 --> 00:22:09,000 Speaker 1: or fifteen minutes you know, a couple of nights out 496 00:22:09,000 --> 00:22:11,920 Speaker 1: of the year and just watch their lights because they're incredible. 497 00:22:11,960 --> 00:22:13,920 Speaker 1: It's awesome. Or not even a donation too, but like 498 00:22:14,040 --> 00:22:16,359 Speaker 1: maybe even like writing a thank you note and like 499 00:22:16,440 --> 00:22:17,960 Speaker 1: kind of tying it to a candy cane like that. 500 00:22:18,119 --> 00:22:19,920 Speaker 1: That's sort of like something kind of creative like that 501 00:22:20,040 --> 00:22:22,960 Speaker 1: where they can feel some appreciation for what they're bringing 502 00:22:23,000 --> 00:22:24,800 Speaker 1: to the neighborhood. I I asked them, they said they 503 00:22:24,840 --> 00:22:27,560 Speaker 1: want cash. Actual, yeah, hard, hard money, please, they got 504 00:22:27,640 --> 00:22:30,640 Speaker 1: to pay that electricity build No pennies and nicchols. Let's 505 00:22:30,640 --> 00:22:34,080 Speaker 1: start with dimes exactly, exactly. But yeah, if you love 506 00:22:34,600 --> 00:22:37,200 Speaker 1: looking at Christmas lights as much as we do, there's 507 00:22:37,240 --> 00:22:39,399 Speaker 1: a website called Christmas light finder dot com and you 508 00:22:39,440 --> 00:22:42,280 Speaker 1: can find some displays at least near you, or just 509 00:22:42,440 --> 00:22:44,879 Speaker 1: drive around to neighborhoods. Especially once it seemed to make 510 00:22:45,240 --> 00:22:48,320 Speaker 1: exterior holiday decorating a big priority. Matt. You know where 511 00:22:48,400 --> 00:22:51,320 Speaker 1: we live on our street, Halloween lights are the big deal, 512 00:22:51,359 --> 00:22:54,159 Speaker 1: and decorating for Halloween Christmas not quite as much. You 513 00:22:54,200 --> 00:22:56,359 Speaker 1: can change that, though, Yeah, it all comes down to you. 514 00:22:56,560 --> 00:22:58,440 Speaker 1: I can be the Clark Griswold in this situation and 515 00:22:58,600 --> 00:23:01,440 Speaker 1: change change the dynamic. But yeah, finding the neighborhoods that 516 00:23:01,520 --> 00:23:04,040 Speaker 1: do really get into the holiday spirit and and have 517 00:23:04,200 --> 00:23:06,520 Speaker 1: the lights up and stuff like that. Find those neighborhoods. 518 00:23:06,600 --> 00:23:08,440 Speaker 1: Ask some other people where do you go to hunt 519 00:23:08,440 --> 00:23:10,879 Speaker 1: for Christmas lights? Um? Where are the best places to 520 00:23:11,080 --> 00:23:12,960 Speaker 1: to check it out? But yeah, that's such a fun 521 00:23:13,240 --> 00:23:17,080 Speaker 1: experience just hunting for Christmas lights. It's like experience that 522 00:23:17,160 --> 00:23:19,439 Speaker 1: costs as much as you know, a couple of gallons 523 00:23:19,480 --> 00:23:21,480 Speaker 1: of gas at most, and it brings a lot of joy. 524 00:23:21,760 --> 00:23:23,200 Speaker 1: Or you can throw those kids on the electric bike 525 00:23:23,280 --> 00:23:25,320 Speaker 1: man bike around you don't You don't need a driver. 526 00:23:25,520 --> 00:23:27,879 Speaker 1: It depends on how far you're going. I guess your 527 00:23:27,920 --> 00:23:30,359 Speaker 1: parents do live further away than you could probably bike 528 00:23:30,400 --> 00:23:33,120 Speaker 1: two with the kids in December at least. Man something 529 00:23:33,160 --> 00:23:35,560 Speaker 1: else that we're big fans of our Christmas movies. You 530 00:23:35,680 --> 00:23:38,320 Speaker 1: can have a free Christmas movie night. I think our 531 00:23:38,359 --> 00:23:42,639 Speaker 1: girls started watching Christmas movies in October. But it's a 532 00:23:42,640 --> 00:23:45,320 Speaker 1: wonderful life is free. If you've got Prime Video home alone, 533 00:23:45,359 --> 00:23:48,600 Speaker 1: it's is on Disney Plus. Uh so is Nightmare before Christmas. 534 00:23:48,880 --> 00:23:50,159 Speaker 1: But if you don't have those, remember that you can 535 00:23:50,160 --> 00:23:52,280 Speaker 1: do a free trial. Um, if you don't already pay 536 00:23:52,359 --> 00:23:55,040 Speaker 1: for those, And there are some solid holiday movies available 537 00:23:55,080 --> 00:23:57,920 Speaker 1: on Netflix too, And also, man, don't forget some of 538 00:23:57,960 --> 00:24:00,800 Speaker 1: those different free streaming sites you know, like obviously YouTube 539 00:24:01,000 --> 00:24:03,880 Speaker 1: but check out to be the Roku channel and Voodoo 540 00:24:03,920 --> 00:24:05,320 Speaker 1: as well. We'll make sure to put a couple of 541 00:24:05,359 --> 00:24:07,159 Speaker 1: links in our show notes that will help you to 542 00:24:07,240 --> 00:24:10,919 Speaker 1: track down some of those solid streaming options. We recently 543 00:24:11,080 --> 00:24:13,200 Speaker 1: looked up Elf because the girls are like obsessed with 544 00:24:13,240 --> 00:24:14,679 Speaker 1: that movie. It's just fun to kind of go back 545 00:24:14,720 --> 00:24:17,000 Speaker 1: and watch some of these fun movies, uh like through 546 00:24:17,040 --> 00:24:18,840 Speaker 1: your kid's eyes as well, which is I don't know that. 547 00:24:18,920 --> 00:24:20,879 Speaker 1: It definitely brings me a lot of joy. But like 548 00:24:20,960 --> 00:24:22,720 Speaker 1: that's one where we're gonna have to like maybe do 549 00:24:22,840 --> 00:24:24,879 Speaker 1: like a free trial of stars like that kind of 550 00:24:24,920 --> 00:24:26,560 Speaker 1: premium add on. I thought I saw that one on 551 00:24:26,560 --> 00:24:28,720 Speaker 1: the Roku channel. Maybe, yeah, I need to go look 552 00:24:29,080 --> 00:24:30,600 Speaker 1: check it out. Yeah, there's some really bad ones out 553 00:24:30,600 --> 00:24:33,600 Speaker 1: there to actually my gosh, in certain like doing a 554 00:24:33,600 --> 00:24:35,359 Speaker 1: little looking around to see like what how are they 555 00:24:35,359 --> 00:24:38,600 Speaker 1: movies right there? I was like them look terrible, Like 556 00:24:38,760 --> 00:24:41,080 Speaker 1: all the ones on like the Lifetime channel, which are 557 00:24:41,160 --> 00:24:44,240 Speaker 1: they all have the same premise. It's always about like 558 00:24:44,760 --> 00:24:46,560 Speaker 1: somebody in the big city go into like a small 559 00:24:46,720 --> 00:24:49,840 Speaker 1: rural town and really rediscovering the true meeting of Christmas. 560 00:24:50,640 --> 00:24:52,680 Speaker 1: I think the maybe one of the worst Christmas movies 561 00:24:52,720 --> 00:24:55,200 Speaker 1: ever made, Christmas Shoes. Have you ever seen it? No? Okay, 562 00:24:55,200 --> 00:24:56,760 Speaker 1: it's based on a song and then they turn it 563 00:24:56,800 --> 00:24:59,080 Speaker 1: into like ah, I think it was a Hallmark Channel 564 00:24:59,119 --> 00:25:02,440 Speaker 1: movie or something Rob low. Um. I don't encourage it, 565 00:25:02,560 --> 00:25:04,080 Speaker 1: but I don't know if anybody out there loves it. 566 00:25:04,080 --> 00:25:06,399 Speaker 1: I'm sorry, sorry for burshoning your Christmas bubble. Not one 567 00:25:06,400 --> 00:25:08,760 Speaker 1: of the high points that Roblo's career. No, it wasn't. No, 568 00:25:08,840 --> 00:25:10,800 Speaker 1: it wasn't. What's your favorite Christmas movie? By the way, 569 00:25:11,280 --> 00:25:13,080 Speaker 1: it's a wonderful life is up there. I cry every 570 00:25:13,119 --> 00:25:15,040 Speaker 1: time I watched it too. It's been years since I've 571 00:25:15,040 --> 00:25:16,840 Speaker 1: seen that. I need a Yeah, but we've been watching 572 00:25:16,880 --> 00:25:18,639 Speaker 1: so much else. I don't have time on my schedule 573 00:25:18,720 --> 00:25:22,399 Speaker 1: for For old Jimmy Stewart, it's a it's a classic. 574 00:25:22,440 --> 00:25:24,040 Speaker 1: As the kids get older, I gotta share it with him. 575 00:25:24,440 --> 00:25:27,080 Speaker 1: Another fun, kind of helpful idea that could bring the 576 00:25:27,119 --> 00:25:29,280 Speaker 1: family together this time of year to have a good 577 00:25:29,320 --> 00:25:32,119 Speaker 1: bit of fun. It's hosting a family talent show or 578 00:25:32,359 --> 00:25:35,200 Speaker 1: a family karaoke night. Right, you don't even have to 579 00:25:35,240 --> 00:25:37,240 Speaker 1: have a fancy set up in order to make this happen. 580 00:25:37,680 --> 00:25:41,440 Speaker 1: Um YouTube is ripe with karaoke songs. It's easy to 581 00:25:41,480 --> 00:25:42,920 Speaker 1: find what you want to sing and then just go 582 00:25:43,040 --> 00:25:47,360 Speaker 1: to town and so literally you search any song and karaoke, yeah, 583 00:25:47,359 --> 00:25:49,320 Speaker 1: and you'll find it. You'll find it and then pull 584 00:25:49,320 --> 00:25:51,760 Speaker 1: out your laptop. Make it happen. Get the kids together 585 00:25:52,000 --> 00:25:54,439 Speaker 1: or what I even just do it with your significant 586 00:25:54,440 --> 00:25:57,520 Speaker 1: other or your parents, like whoever you are potting with 587 00:25:57,720 --> 00:25:59,760 Speaker 1: or hanging out with, do a karaoke night will be 588 00:25:59,760 --> 00:26:00,919 Speaker 1: a ton of fun. It makes me think of our 589 00:26:00,960 --> 00:26:03,280 Speaker 1: friend Andrew. So every year he hosts a Hanaka party 590 00:26:03,440 --> 00:26:06,800 Speaker 1: and karaoke is a massive part of that party every year. 591 00:26:06,880 --> 00:26:09,520 Speaker 1: Unfortunately obviously not gonna be having it this year. But yeah, 592 00:26:09,560 --> 00:26:11,919 Speaker 1: it's just a laptop pulled up, plugged into a speaker 593 00:26:12,000 --> 00:26:14,159 Speaker 1: with some microphones and yeah, every single time you just 594 00:26:14,240 --> 00:26:17,040 Speaker 1: search whatever song you're looking for plus karaoke, uh and 595 00:26:17,080 --> 00:26:18,840 Speaker 1: you got the words. Man, ready to go. Easy to do. 596 00:26:19,200 --> 00:26:21,479 Speaker 1: Also to board games with some hot coco. I mean 597 00:26:21,520 --> 00:26:23,760 Speaker 1: that's a good way to uh have some fun as well, 598 00:26:24,040 --> 00:26:25,680 Speaker 1: pull out some board games that you haven't played in 599 00:26:25,800 --> 00:26:27,359 Speaker 1: quite a while. You already own them. You don't have 600 00:26:27,359 --> 00:26:29,480 Speaker 1: to spend any money to buy new ones. But just 601 00:26:29,560 --> 00:26:31,480 Speaker 1: break out the board games or a card game that 602 00:26:31,480 --> 00:26:33,000 Speaker 1: you haven't played in a while, and it makes some 603 00:26:33,119 --> 00:26:35,520 Speaker 1: meaningful memory. He's just playing games together. And something else 604 00:26:35,520 --> 00:26:37,320 Speaker 1: we've been doing together to as a family is like 605 00:26:37,400 --> 00:26:40,520 Speaker 1: we always keep our previous year's Christmas cards. Uh, And 606 00:26:40,720 --> 00:26:43,040 Speaker 1: so we've got kind of gotten into this tradition of 607 00:26:43,359 --> 00:26:45,760 Speaker 1: when we pull out the Christmas decorations, we've got all 608 00:26:45,800 --> 00:26:48,600 Speaker 1: the previous year's Christmas cards all kind of bound together. Uh. 609 00:26:48,640 --> 00:26:50,160 Speaker 1: And we'd like to flip through this kind of look 610 00:26:50,240 --> 00:26:53,960 Speaker 1: at how our friends have aged or some well, some 611 00:26:54,160 --> 00:26:57,680 Speaker 1: not so well, not a good year for them. And 612 00:26:57,720 --> 00:26:59,399 Speaker 1: it's just fun to see, you know kids obviously as 613 00:26:59,440 --> 00:27:01,680 Speaker 1: they grew up well in the pictures. But man, something 614 00:27:01,720 --> 00:27:03,280 Speaker 1: else I wanted to mention too, Like we just kind 615 00:27:03,320 --> 00:27:06,040 Speaker 1: of touched on our friends hanaka party. Don't forget about 616 00:27:06,080 --> 00:27:09,600 Speaker 1: the just the religious significance and meaning behind the specific 617 00:27:09,640 --> 00:27:11,560 Speaker 1: holiday that you you celebrate, right, and so whether you 618 00:27:11,640 --> 00:27:15,040 Speaker 1: celebrate Christmas or Quanza or Hanakah, you don't have to 619 00:27:15,320 --> 00:27:17,159 Speaker 1: spend a lot of money, or any money at all 620 00:27:17,280 --> 00:27:19,560 Speaker 1: to celebrate these holidays, and so I think keeping that 621 00:27:19,680 --> 00:27:21,000 Speaker 1: kind of forefront in your mind that can be a 622 00:27:21,080 --> 00:27:24,240 Speaker 1: great way not only to anchor you to the true 623 00:27:24,280 --> 00:27:26,359 Speaker 1: reason that we do have these celebrations, but it can 624 00:27:26,400 --> 00:27:29,560 Speaker 1: also keep you from spending a ton of money as well. Yeah, Matt, 625 00:27:29,600 --> 00:27:32,480 Speaker 1: for sure. And you know you mentioned how our annual 626 00:27:32,520 --> 00:27:34,800 Speaker 1: Hanaka party is not happening this year. Everybody in our 627 00:27:34,800 --> 00:27:37,000 Speaker 1: friends circles superbum It's one of the most fun things 628 00:27:37,040 --> 00:27:39,080 Speaker 1: we we usually get to do this time of year, 629 00:27:39,359 --> 00:27:42,320 Speaker 1: but everyone is experiencing a dearth of Christmas parties for 630 00:27:42,359 --> 00:27:44,760 Speaker 1: the first time ever. You know, usually there's three, four 631 00:27:44,840 --> 00:27:46,600 Speaker 1: or five, depending on if you have a work one 632 00:27:47,080 --> 00:27:49,280 Speaker 1: or you know one that your friends do or your 633 00:27:49,320 --> 00:27:51,879 Speaker 1: family does. Holiday parties are part of the season in 634 00:27:51,960 --> 00:27:53,879 Speaker 1: their a ton of fun. But if you're finding yourself 635 00:27:53,960 --> 00:27:55,440 Speaker 1: missing the fact that you don't have any to go 636 00:27:55,520 --> 00:27:58,119 Speaker 1: to this year, start your own. Create your own. It's 637 00:27:58,119 --> 00:28:00,680 Speaker 1: gonna be obviously on a much smaller scale. Put on 638 00:28:00,760 --> 00:28:03,199 Speaker 1: your ugly sweater and make some mold wine and live 639 00:28:03,280 --> 00:28:05,080 Speaker 1: it up with the people closest to you. And if 640 00:28:05,119 --> 00:28:07,119 Speaker 1: you want to have more people over. Well, then you 641 00:28:07,200 --> 00:28:09,640 Speaker 1: know you can, uh you have an outdoor fire pit. 642 00:28:10,280 --> 00:28:12,159 Speaker 1: You actually did that last night. Yeah. Yeah, we've been 643 00:28:12,200 --> 00:28:14,000 Speaker 1: doing more of that this time of year. And you know, 644 00:28:14,040 --> 00:28:17,399 Speaker 1: I turned picking up sticks in the backyard to into like, uh, oh, 645 00:28:17,560 --> 00:28:19,040 Speaker 1: it'll be fun because we could have a fire pit 646 00:28:19,119 --> 00:28:20,800 Speaker 1: with the kids, and so it turns like a chore 647 00:28:20,880 --> 00:28:23,320 Speaker 1: into a fun activity. But yeah, and then you can 648 00:28:23,359 --> 00:28:26,320 Speaker 1: actually have maybe a few close friends over to hanging 649 00:28:26,320 --> 00:28:28,880 Speaker 1: outside around a fire pit. But yeah, throwing your own 650 00:28:29,040 --> 00:28:32,560 Speaker 1: socially distance outdoor holiday party could can still happen. And 651 00:28:32,640 --> 00:28:34,720 Speaker 1: so yeah, you gotta just be creative this time of 652 00:28:34,800 --> 00:28:36,879 Speaker 1: year and in order to be able to enjoy it 653 00:28:37,000 --> 00:28:39,760 Speaker 1: and celebrate it to the fullest. Yeah, man. And ultimately, 654 00:28:39,800 --> 00:28:41,800 Speaker 1: you know, we think that money can be more of 655 00:28:41,880 --> 00:28:44,960 Speaker 1: a barrier to enjoy the holidays than a facilitator or 656 00:28:45,040 --> 00:28:47,400 Speaker 1: even the reason that we're having a lot of fun. Obviously, 657 00:28:47,480 --> 00:28:50,320 Speaker 1: budgeting for your gift giving and keeping your your recipient 658 00:28:50,400 --> 00:28:53,640 Speaker 1: lists small certainly helps a lot. But we would challenge 659 00:28:53,680 --> 00:28:56,600 Speaker 1: folks to really get creative and intentional with the activities 660 00:28:56,640 --> 00:28:59,040 Speaker 1: that you're gonna be partaking in this holiday season and 661 00:28:59,320 --> 00:29:01,640 Speaker 1: continue to think of ways that you can serve others 662 00:29:01,800 --> 00:29:04,080 Speaker 1: this time of year. You know, by doing that, we 663 00:29:04,120 --> 00:29:06,760 Speaker 1: think that you'll probably find that this Christmas will be 664 00:29:07,280 --> 00:29:10,240 Speaker 1: one with maybe even more joy and fulfillment than you 665 00:29:10,280 --> 00:29:13,240 Speaker 1: would have otherwise expected. Joel, even as you're talking about 666 00:29:13,280 --> 00:29:15,680 Speaker 1: how there's a lack of Christmas parties to go to, 667 00:29:15,840 --> 00:29:19,360 Speaker 1: it's interesting, how like the the emotion I noted in 668 00:29:19,480 --> 00:29:22,680 Speaker 1: myself when you mentioned that was that I thought, oh, like, 669 00:29:22,800 --> 00:29:25,800 Speaker 1: I felt kind of stressed leave my body because typically, man, 670 00:29:25,960 --> 00:29:28,280 Speaker 1: December is one of the busiest months of the year, 671 00:29:30,080 --> 00:29:33,440 Speaker 1: is slammed, and there's kids, school performances, and just all 672 00:29:33,480 --> 00:29:35,520 Speaker 1: sorts of things that that you know, that we're supposed 673 00:29:35,560 --> 00:29:37,400 Speaker 1: to be a part of, and it really does add 674 00:29:37,440 --> 00:29:39,360 Speaker 1: a lot of stress. So and so I'm really looking 675 00:29:39,400 --> 00:29:41,680 Speaker 1: forward to seeing how I feel as these weeks continue 676 00:29:41,680 --> 00:29:42,760 Speaker 1: and as we reached the end of the month. Am 677 00:29:42,800 --> 00:29:44,400 Speaker 1: I going to feel like that, oh, there wasn't enough 678 00:29:44,440 --> 00:29:46,080 Speaker 1: going on? Or is this going to be one of 679 00:29:46,120 --> 00:29:47,800 Speaker 1: the many ways in our lives that we've been able 680 00:29:47,800 --> 00:29:50,440 Speaker 1: to slow down and really truly focus on what it 681 00:29:50,560 --> 00:29:53,080 Speaker 1: is that's important in our lives versus the frantic running 682 00:29:53,120 --> 00:29:55,280 Speaker 1: around and continuing, you know, to do the things that 683 00:29:55,360 --> 00:29:57,840 Speaker 1: we always do because it's you know, either tradition or 684 00:29:57,840 --> 00:30:00,320 Speaker 1: it's it's what's expected. I guess this is a small 685 00:30:00,400 --> 00:30:02,600 Speaker 1: silver lining to the pandemic, but I I really am 686 00:30:02,680 --> 00:30:06,320 Speaker 1: excited to see how this holiday season, how it'll be 687 00:30:06,400 --> 00:30:08,560 Speaker 1: different for a lot of folks. Yeah. I never thought 688 00:30:08,560 --> 00:30:11,000 Speaker 1: I'd ever used the phrase pandemic silver lining, but but 689 00:30:11,640 --> 00:30:14,600 Speaker 1: we've used it before, but certainly in relation to the holidays. 690 00:30:14,600 --> 00:30:17,800 Speaker 1: It almost seems kind of like, how could you say that? Right? 691 00:30:18,120 --> 00:30:20,120 Speaker 1: But but I think, yeah, there there is a silver 692 00:30:20,240 --> 00:30:22,600 Speaker 1: lining here, and it is slowing down. It is a 693 00:30:22,720 --> 00:30:25,200 Speaker 1: calendar that isn't quite as packed, and there's more time 694 00:30:25,280 --> 00:30:28,160 Speaker 1: to actually be intentional and think through what you want 695 00:30:28,200 --> 00:30:30,480 Speaker 1: your holidays to look like this year instead of letting 696 00:30:30,600 --> 00:30:33,440 Speaker 1: the holidays happen to you, which is what happens to 697 00:30:33,520 --> 00:30:36,040 Speaker 1: so many of us most of the time. Um. But yeah, 698 00:30:36,120 --> 00:30:38,000 Speaker 1: we wish you the best in your creative endeavors to 699 00:30:38,080 --> 00:30:41,760 Speaker 1: make this holiday just incredibly enjoyable. And just remember it 700 00:30:41,840 --> 00:30:43,600 Speaker 1: doesn't have to cost a whole lot of money. And 701 00:30:43,880 --> 00:30:47,680 Speaker 1: actually you're gonna be more relieved come January if it doesn't. Um, 702 00:30:47,720 --> 00:30:49,080 Speaker 1: All right, now, let's give actually the beer that we 703 00:30:49,160 --> 00:30:52,000 Speaker 1: had on today's show. This one's called Owl Theory and 704 00:30:52,080 --> 00:30:54,240 Speaker 1: it's by field Work Brewing Company. Were your thoughts on 705 00:30:54,280 --> 00:30:57,000 Speaker 1: this beer man? Yeah? Man, this is a check dark 706 00:30:57,240 --> 00:31:01,280 Speaker 1: lagger like check as in for the Czech Republic. Uh. 707 00:31:01,640 --> 00:31:03,560 Speaker 1: Is it Czechoslovakia or is it the Czech Republic? I 708 00:31:03,600 --> 00:31:05,520 Speaker 1: think it's the Czech Republic. I don't know. I'm not 709 00:31:05,680 --> 00:31:12,520 Speaker 1: big on world history geography. I know it's in Europe, right, yes, okay, 710 00:31:13,480 --> 00:31:16,360 Speaker 1: but I do know my beer. Uh. And this beer man, 711 00:31:16,400 --> 00:31:18,200 Speaker 1: it was really good. You could really taste some of 712 00:31:18,280 --> 00:31:20,320 Speaker 1: that roasted malt flavor. I feel like one of the 713 00:31:20,360 --> 00:31:22,240 Speaker 1: ways to describe it is if you took a slice 714 00:31:22,280 --> 00:31:24,320 Speaker 1: of ho whaite bread and you toasted it like maybe 715 00:31:24,360 --> 00:31:26,320 Speaker 1: a touch too long, and so like it was just 716 00:31:26,400 --> 00:31:28,960 Speaker 1: like a really dark toasted sort of flavor going on. 717 00:31:29,880 --> 00:31:31,800 Speaker 1: But at the same time, it had a really light body. Right, 718 00:31:31,840 --> 00:31:33,640 Speaker 1: So this is a logger. It's not a really thick, 719 00:31:33,840 --> 00:31:36,560 Speaker 1: heavy bodied beer. Uh. And so you know it's not 720 00:31:36,640 --> 00:31:38,120 Speaker 1: a stout. You know, it's not a porter, but it 721 00:31:38,200 --> 00:31:42,960 Speaker 1: still has those deeper, darker roasted flavors while finishing really clean, 722 00:31:43,560 --> 00:31:45,200 Speaker 1: really light. So I feel like it makes it kind 723 00:31:45,200 --> 00:31:46,720 Speaker 1: of a fun beer to drink this time of year, 724 00:31:46,760 --> 00:31:48,320 Speaker 1: because I don't you kind of want some of those 725 00:31:48,600 --> 00:31:50,560 Speaker 1: darker flavors. But at the same time, this isn't the 726 00:31:50,600 --> 00:31:52,719 Speaker 1: kind of beer that really just weighs you down like eggnog, 727 00:31:52,880 --> 00:31:55,080 Speaker 1: you know, right. Yeah, I feel like I don't know 728 00:31:55,120 --> 00:31:56,800 Speaker 1: how much to add to the description because I think 729 00:31:56,800 --> 00:31:59,320 Speaker 1: you did such a good job there and I really 730 00:31:59,360 --> 00:32:01,720 Speaker 1: really enjoyed it. I think it was kind of bordering 731 00:32:01,840 --> 00:32:04,360 Speaker 1: on porter territory but not quite there, and I think 732 00:32:04,400 --> 00:32:06,520 Speaker 1: I enjoyed it more than a porter um. You know, 733 00:32:06,640 --> 00:32:09,080 Speaker 1: Porters are okay in my book. I really like you 734 00:32:09,120 --> 00:32:10,760 Speaker 1: really wanted to go ahead and be a stout, like 735 00:32:11,040 --> 00:32:13,200 Speaker 1: if you hit porter territories, like just finished the drill 736 00:32:13,240 --> 00:32:14,880 Speaker 1: and become a stout, go all the way to scout 737 00:32:15,240 --> 00:32:18,040 Speaker 1: or stay in this checked our clogger territory because I 738 00:32:18,160 --> 00:32:20,960 Speaker 1: really really like this one a lot um. It was delicious, 739 00:32:21,000 --> 00:32:24,800 Speaker 1: had those roasty notes without being overpowering and without feeling 740 00:32:24,880 --> 00:32:28,280 Speaker 1: like it was lacking anything. So this one was delicious. 741 00:32:28,320 --> 00:32:31,320 Speaker 1: Big thanks to our friend Tim for sending this beer away. Yeah. 742 00:32:31,440 --> 00:32:33,080 Speaker 1: Tim sent this beer as well as the beer from 743 00:32:33,120 --> 00:32:35,440 Speaker 1: Monday from one of his favorite breweris out there in Napa. 744 00:32:35,520 --> 00:32:37,600 Speaker 1: He lives out in California. And you and I we 745 00:32:37,720 --> 00:32:41,360 Speaker 1: actually participated in that webinar where we talked about personal finance. 746 00:32:41,560 --> 00:32:43,920 Speaker 1: At least you didn't ask us to talk about world geography, 747 00:32:44,040 --> 00:32:47,960 Speaker 1: right whereas the Czech Republic, I'm not sure. I don't know. 748 00:32:48,080 --> 00:32:50,120 Speaker 1: I could not find it on a map, that's for sure. Yeah, 749 00:32:50,200 --> 00:32:52,520 Speaker 1: but yeah, it's something we really enjoy doing that that webinar. 750 00:32:52,560 --> 00:32:54,400 Speaker 1: And so if you're listening and that's something that you 751 00:32:54,720 --> 00:32:56,680 Speaker 1: are a part of putting it together, maybe for your 752 00:32:56,720 --> 00:32:58,800 Speaker 1: company or organization, go to how to money dot com, 753 00:32:58,880 --> 00:33:01,560 Speaker 1: forward slash speak, and yeah, reach out to us is 754 00:33:01,600 --> 00:33:02,840 Speaker 1: something that Joel and I would love to talk to 755 00:33:02,840 --> 00:33:04,320 Speaker 1: you about. All right, Matt, that's gonna do it for 756 00:33:04,520 --> 00:33:06,200 Speaker 1: this episode. For folks, I want the show notes and 757 00:33:06,240 --> 00:33:08,880 Speaker 1: the links to everything we talked about today on this episode, 758 00:33:08,920 --> 00:33:10,880 Speaker 1: they can go to how to money dot com. Yeah, 759 00:33:10,920 --> 00:33:13,040 Speaker 1: that's right. And if you've been listening and you enjoy 760 00:33:13,160 --> 00:33:14,920 Speaker 1: our show, we would love it if you left us 761 00:33:14,920 --> 00:33:17,360 Speaker 1: a review over at Apple Podcast. Just head over there. 762 00:33:17,640 --> 00:33:19,480 Speaker 1: Maybe you've already done that, and if so, let a 763 00:33:19,600 --> 00:33:21,320 Speaker 1: friend or family member know about it. We would love 764 00:33:21,360 --> 00:33:24,080 Speaker 1: to have more people on board listening how they can 765 00:33:24,160 --> 00:33:26,680 Speaker 1: handle their money better. Yeah, would be the best holiday 766 00:33:26,720 --> 00:33:29,120 Speaker 1: gift you could give these two guys a review, letting 767 00:33:29,160 --> 00:33:31,480 Speaker 1: somebody else know, like spreading the message about getting your 768 00:33:31,480 --> 00:33:33,560 Speaker 1: personal finances in order y heck yeah man, yeah, I 769 00:33:33,640 --> 00:33:35,080 Speaker 1: love it all right. That's gonna do it for this 770 00:33:35,240 --> 00:33:38,840 Speaker 1: episode until next time, Buddy, best Friends Out, Best Friends Out,