‘Tis the Season to Be Thrifty…

This time of year, it’s always nice to be able to splurge a little on gifts and decorations. I’ll admit -- I’ve been known to spare no expense around the holidays, especially when it comes to buying presents for my loved ones. But in these tough financial times, it’s become almost impossible to do so. We’re all feeling the pains of a bad economy, forcing most people to cut back on their spending and become more frugal with their hard-earned dollars.

But cutting a few corners doesn’t mean you have to be an Ebenezer Scrooge this year. There are a number of things you can do to be thrifty this holiday, most of which involve some careful planning, a little ingenuity, and a whole lot of creativity.

We’ve put together a list of links that offer some great advice on saving money this holiday season. Take a look and let us know what you think… and while you’re at it, let us know what you’ve been doing to be more frugal this year. Feel free to share any advice, ideas, suggestions or stories with other members in the comments section below.


Frugal Holiday Gifts and Decorations
39 Frugal Tips for Saving Money at Christmas
Oprah's Favorite Things for a Thrifty Holiday
Ideas for Thrifty Holiday Shopping
Thrifty ideas for happier holidays - MSN Money
Thrifty Gifts for All Ages
10 Ideas for Making the Holidays Cheaper and Easier

Saving Username and Password

A few weeks ago, we announced that the Save My Password option was added to the login box on our new website. Unfortunately, we found out that it has not been working properly for many of our members. The easiest way to resolve this is by clearing your "cookies". The cookie we use to store your password may be interfering with the cookie from our old website, so it may be best to start over. If you are not sure how to clear your cookies click here.

Once you have cleared your cookies you can use this feature by checking the Save My Password box before you login. The next time you are ready to login to MySurvey.com your username and password will already be there.

Note: This feature is only recommended if you are using a private computer. Please do not use this feature on public computers such as schools, libraries or internet cafe's.

St. Nicholas Day

The feast of St. Nicholas, or Saint Nicholas Day, falls on December 6th and is celebrated in many different ways all around the world. While traditions vary, most often it goes like this: on the eve of St. Nicholas Day, children put empty shoes (or socks) outside -- and on the following morning of December 6, the children awake to find that St. Nick has filled their previously empty footwear with snacks, candies, and small gifts (if the children have been "good") or coal (if not).

In my family, we celebrate in a similar fashion: the kids hang their stocking on the fireplace and in the morning they would find the stockings had been filled with candy, a small toy and an ornament for the Christmas tree. It’s a tradition that we’re very fond of, and it serves as a small -- but very exciting -- way to build the little ones’ expectations for the “big night” when Santa Claus would arrive.

How other families celebrate
Who is St. Nicholas?
Saint Nicholas (For Kids)

So do any of you celebrate St. Nicholas Day? If so, what are some of your traditions? Feel free to share stories, ideas and anything else about this fun-filled holiday in the comments section below.

The Importance of Scholarships

When it comes to scholarships, most people wonder the same thing: When is the best time to start searching? Well, the answer is simple: the best time is right now -- because it’s never too early or too late to look. As tough economic times force consumers to cut back on spending, scholarships are an ever-more important way to pay for college. And unlike other forms of financial aid, scholarships do not have to be repaid.

While it may seem like a daunting task to some, thanks to the power of the internet finding a scholarship has never been easier. Below you’ll find a few places you may want to start in your search (keep in mind that this list is by no means exhaustive). Good Luck!

FastWeb: Scholarships, Financial Aid
FinAid : Scholarships
Sallie Mae's free scholarship search
Scholarships
Student Scholarship Search
The Scholarships Blog

How about you? Has the rising cost of college and tough economic times changed your financial approach (or your family’s)? Have you or anyone else in your family found college scholarships before? Feel free to share stories, tips and advice with other members below.