Money Matters
Xstatic3333
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Dear Community,
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
GTKY: Gifts
For those of us working in half-empty offices this week and having a hard time staying motivated, I thought a little GTKY was in order!
1. What was the best Christmas/holiday gift that you got this year?
2. What was the best one that you gave?
3. Do you do any end of the year charitable giving you're excited about? If that's too personal for you feel free to skip.
Re: GTKY: Gifts
1. My favorite gift was probably my Erin Condren life planner--it is expensive for a planner so I wouldn't buy it myself.
2. the Best gift we gave was probably to my Mom, we got her a activelink that she has been wanting!
3. I already set up my deductions to the local Gilda's Club, they have helped by dad already this year and they do so much for people and families with cancer.
1. I am most excited about the High Sierra lumbar day pack that my DH got me. We hike a lot and I've wanted a pack that doesn't cover my whole back. Right now, I'm filing one compartment with my first-aid/emergency supplies.
2. I am most excited about the insulated picnic backpack we got DH's parents. It has service for 4 people and has two detachable wine bottle carriers. They are excited about it and picnic frequently as they walk/hike.
3. Throughout the year we give to several ministries.
Gospel for Asia focuses on the lowest members of the Caste System in India and Nepal. While the Caste System was officially outlawed by their federal government in 2004, stigmas and classism still exist in these nations today. People in this lowest caste go without sanitation, food, education, etc.. Many children are sold into slavery. GFA sets up Bridge of Hope centers around each province of India and in Nepal to educate the children, feed them, clothe them, and treat them with medical care. GFA also supports national missionaries in these nations and has programs to provide men and women with tools and animals to create income for their families. Currently, our family supports 15 children and 11 missionaries. www.gfa.org
Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM): www.rzim.org has been around for a few decades. It's tag line is: Helping the Believer Think and the Thinker Believe. Ravi Zacharias is an internationally-renowned speaker and Christian apologist (defends the faith). His speaking engagements have included Ivy Leagues, branches of U.S. government, foreign universities and the U.N.. His team travels the world each year speaking to students, professors, and community leaders. Ravi is from India. He's got a lot of his speaking engagements on YouTube - notably the ones at universities I find the most interesting.
There are a few others, which are smaller contributions throughout the year, that are in medical fields and radio stations.
And, there's our church too.
Love: March 2010 Marriage: July 2013 Debt Free: October 2014 TTC: May 2015
A magic bullet - That thing is AWESOME! I've been making smoothies every morning since we got it. It is so easy!
We got my MIL a pasta maker. She has been borrowing the neighbor's pasta maker for years. I think she thought that the pasta maker was like $300... but it is actually only $30. She was SO excited about it.
2. We like experiential gifts in my family, so my favorites would be taking my mom to The Nutcracker and sending my H on a surprise man trip out of state to visit college friends.
3. I'm a professional fundraiser, and I follow the motto of "I can't ask if I don't give myself." We give to events my organization hosts throught the year, plus have a recurring pledge. We also make United Way gifts, both restricted (to a local food bank and a homeless center we volunteer at) and unrestricted. Plus we give to our church's backsnack program that sends kids in need home with food in the evenings and over the weekend.
For those who don't give, I'd encourage you to look into your area United Way! It's a great organization that supports a variety of causes and would be a good place to find a nonprofit you can connect with and make a difference through in a variety of ways - including gifts of time and treasure!!
TTC since 1/13 DX:PCOS 5/13 (long, anovulatory cycles)
Clomid 50mg 9/13 = BFP! EDD 6/7/14 M/C 5w6d Found 11/4/13
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2. I cooked a nice meal for my parents and grandpa yesterday, we played games and everyone had a great time.
3. We give to the local humane society, the dog park association, services that provide meals and clothing to people, and of course the Ballet company that I serve on the board of directors for...all 501(c) (3) organizations.
1 What was the best gift you got? A remote car starter
2 Best gift you gave? DH made cranberry wine. Our family really enjoyed it with Christmas dinner. It turned out great!
3 Do you do end of the year charitable giving your're excited about? Yes, however, I am most excited that DH and I continued our tradition of bell ringing with the Salvation Army. Standing in the cold is not as easy as writing a check, but it feels much better! SA helped my mom's family when she was growing up and FIL's family when he was a kid. And I had a great uncle that bell rang daily as a retired senior citizen...very inspiring!
Ice cream machines are the BEST! I love mine, because I can make unique flavors like chai latte with chocolate chips.... yummmm!
That gift with your grandmother is so sweet!