Sample issue

Hi there,

This issue's idea: twelve small deposits

Add up what last year's holidays really cost: gifts, food, travel, decorations and the little extras. Divide it by twelve. That's your monthly holiday fund deposit. Set it up as an automatic transfer on payday into a separate savings account, and next December is already paid for.

More in Start a holiday fund in January.

A low-cost gift idea

Write out a family recipe on a card, and give it with a jar of the dry ingredients. It costs a few dollars and gets kept for years. More ideas in Thoughtful gifts that cost little.

Reader question

"Do gift cards expire?" Under federal law, most store and bank gift cards can't expire within five years of when they were bought or last loaded. Still, use them soon: if a store closes, the card may become worthless.

See you at the club,
Dime Wise Club