My new favorite time of year.

It's been over a year since I seriously began my efforts to be frugal.  I was in a pretty bad place when I started, and have been on shaky ground up until just this last September.  And, I think now, without the same financial crunch, I have a new appreciation for the major holidays I celebrate in the Fall and Winter season.

Halloween I had always sort of liked.  It's an awesome holiday with costumes and candy.  However, giving out candy has always been a bit of a stress for me.  My house gets hundreds of kids on Halloween.  So, in order to participate, I have to be prepared to be swamped.  I actually didn't give out candy last year because of this.  But, this year, I was able to build up a strong candy supply on a small budget, so I was actually able to open my house to trick or treaters.  And, during the course of the night, I realized that the Halloween celebration is really much better than the "demonic" reputation it tends to get. It's the only holiday where kids are allowed to go to strangers houses and ask for candy.  It's basically a "guess what? people aren't all evil!" party for everyone.  I know several people who may not agree with the day we are celebrating, but I know most people will agree that children seeing that others can be trusted is an important lesson nowadays.

Thanksgiving means something new to me now.  Back when I had my apartment, I could easily tithe.  It wasn't difficult at all.  Then, when I bought my house, everything was so much more expensive than I was prepared for.  I *couldn't* tithe.  I had no money left, I was sinking more into debt every month with only the necessities.  And, I still don't have much money, still have a lot of debt, but am stabilized now, gradually cutting down on debts.  But the one thing I do have right now in abundance is food.  This time of year is full of opportunities to donate food.  I think this can be my way of tithing.  Thanksgiving has become an opportunity to share what God has blessed me with.

And of course, Christmas, the most retail holiday of the year.  Last year, I remember being very stressed trying to buy my dad something that met what I felt were his cost expectations.  How on earth was I supposed to buy nice presents for other people without any money?  Now, I have the resources to find good deals that others can't.  I found that my adventures in couponing and frugality have made me a much more confident barterer now.  I know what things "should" be priced, and I've learned to ask for it unashamedly.  Suddenly, I don't feel the stress to buy something I can't afford.  It's becoming more of a fun event, where, again, I can share with friends and family out of the abundance God has blessed me with.

I'm not perfect, and am still learning.  But, I'm glad that this time of year offers so many opportunities to share my blessings.