Save Money-- Revolution in Giving

A different kind of giving ... a revolutionary way to give from Rev. James C. Howell pastor of Meyers Park Methodist Church, Charlotte N.C.
Care Enough to Give Something of Yourself, not an Easy Gift Card
Once upon a time, when I was a child, I devised a list of things I wanted and mailed it to the North Pole. Santa delivered, and all was well. I got what I wanted. Now i am older, and I have learned to shop online. Why? It's "easier," more "convenient" for me.
Gift cards are soaring in popularity, and they say a lot about the giver (who hasn't bothered to be creative or to think through the other person's life and snoop around to find something (meaningful), and even more about our vapid culture. We give cards why? "They should be able to get what they want."
Is life about what I want? Might some disaster strike if I cannot get what I want, or if I get something I didn't want? I cannot think of a more pathetic than kids whose favorite activity, rather tragically, is shopping- and who already are engulfed with too much junk- unwrapping gift cards, swapping them like trading cards with cousins, and rushing over to the mall to purchase more unnecessary items.
Gifts from the heart
But there is a revolution going on in giving. Have you noticed? Or are you sleeping through it, like Rip Van Winkle? Everywhere I go, I hear about people giving something special, not necessarily something expensive. Something the giver wants the recipient to have, not what the recipient asked for. Gifts of charity, gifts from the heart.
For me the best gift I ever received was something I never wanted. We were moving from a church where I had been pastor for 12 years. An 89-year old man with a gravelly voice, who still wore overalls and plowed his own fields, walked in one day and said, "I couldn't decide what to give you, "and then he reached deep into his denim pocket, pulled, out something and gradually opened his crusty hand.
It was his pocketknife, worn from decades of going everywhere with him, indispensable for a country gentleman who wanted to be prepared when a rope, apple or container needed to be cut.
If someone asked me to list 500 things I vaguely hope to possess one day, I (a city slicker) would never have said, "A pocketknife!" But here was this invaluable treasure being pressed into my palm.
He added words: "Carry that around in your pocket. Then some day, when you're having a bad day, feel it down in there and remember that somebody loves you." I told this to some people, and a beautiful, revolutionary chaos of giving ensued, as people began giving each other all kinds of stunning presents.
A Teenage Girls Treasure
In a recent sermon I said, "Don't just go buy something for those you love; give them something special to you."A 13 year-old girl emailed me the next day, saying, "Last year for Christmas my parents gave me a laptop, which I love. But my mom just got a new job, and she said she needs a laptop. So I am wrapping mine up and giving it to her for Christmas."
I think about the times I have gone to considerable trouble to get just the right item; perhaps I even made something with my own hands. Not easy, but treasured by the recipient-and somehow it's even better for me as the giver.
Our family trashed the gift card trading bonanza for something better. Last year, each child presented the cousins with gifts of missions. "We made a donation to the homeless shelter in your honor. Our family has volunteered there this past year, and we met this really nice guy named Travis-and now he's our friend."
Care Enough to Give
A revolution is underway, and it's a long way from gift cards and convenience. Care enough to give something of yourself, perhaps something you treasure that won't cost you a dime. Care enough to know the other person and give him something you've lovingly determined you want him to have as a token of who you are together. Care enough to give to the poor, perhaps as much or more than you give to your kin who already have too much. And care enough for them not merely during this season, but in April and August, when the poor are still poor.
This is how God gave, isn't it" Nobody was asking for a baby in a cow stall; but it was what God wanted to give, what God knew would most profoundly express the depths of love we need. A revolution was touched off back then. Are we sleeping through it? Or joining in as zealous participants?
Something a little different.. and as always.....Happy Savings!!!!!!

Save money...don't be a victim

Take these precautions when buying a gift card for somebody.
Dan Starks a personal safety specialist with the Charlotte Observer says:
When choosing a gift for that hard-to-buy-for person, a gift card can be a simple solution. For the recipient, it sure beats having to return an unwanted gift like that ugly pair of socks.
When buying a gift card, follow these tips:

• Buy a card that hasn't been on display. Cards secured behind a counter have less chance of being tampered with.
  
• After buying the card, immediately ask the cashier to verify the balance.
  
• As soon as possible, go online to register it with the store. That should help if there is a need to replace it.
  
• Save the original receipt until the card has been used.
  
• Be very cautious when purchasing cards from online auction sites. You can end up purchasing an invalid card with no value.
  

Also, an alternative to a gift card is a money order. Advantage: The recipient can exchange it at his or her bank for cash, then buy from any store.

And for those thinking of giving a gift to someone in the military this holiday season:

If you don't have a family member in the military to send a gift or care package to, you can still spread holiday cheer to those stationed overseas. Here are some ideas from the United Service organization on what you can do. To donate to any of these programs or for more info, go to www.uso.org or call 800-901-1501.

• Operation Care Package: For $25 you can sponsor a care package and include a personal note, wishing a military member happy holidays or thanking them for their service.
  
• Operation Phone Home: Donate a phone card. The USO says there is an urgent need for phone cards so deployed service members can call home.
  
• USO in a box:: This pilot program, created this year, sends electronic, entertainment and personal care items to troops in remote locations.--Amy Baldwin
  

Hope these tips help you save money and give to others this holiday season.

Coupon Corner:

Save $1.00 on one package 6oz. or larger, Purina Beggin, any variety exp 3/9/08

Save $1.50 on two packages of Purina Busy Bone, any size, any variety exp. 2/7/08

Save $1.00 on one package of Purina Busy bone, any size , any variety exp. 2/9/08

Save $.75 on any Easy Off glass cooktop cleaner exp. 2/9/08

Save $.35 on any Easy Off oven cleaner exp. 2/9/08

Save $2.00 on any one Schick Razor or refill package exp 1/31/08

Save $.50 when you buy any Frank's Redhot Sauce exp.3/31/08

Save $.40 on any three packages of Kleenex facial tissues or one bundle pack exp. 1/15/08

Save $1.00 on 4 Campbell's Chunky Soup can variety 1/20/08

Save $1.00 on any 10 Campbell's Condensed Chicken Noodle or Tomato Soups exp. 1/31/08

Save $1.00 on any 5 Campbell's Condensed Soups (except chicken noodle , tomato &creams exp. 1/31/08

Buy four Little Debbie family snack packs, get one free(any variety up to $1.39 exp. 2/15/08

Save $3.00 on any one Excedrin 100ct product exp. 1/31/08

Save $2.00 on any one Excedrin Product exp. 1/31/08

Save $2.00 when you purchase a Reynolds Handi-vac Starter Kit exp. 2/3/08

Get one warmer unit free when you buy your favorite Air Wick scented oil refill fragrance (up to $3.19) exp. 1/20/08

$1.00 off any 2 Air Wick scented oil refills exp. 1/20/08

$2.00 off any one pro recharge Crest SpinBrush exp.1/31/08

$1.00 off any one Crest SpinBrush exp.1/31/08

$1.00 off any one Crest Kids SpinBrush exp. 1/31/08

These are free ..as many as you want..just email me with a mail address and let me know which ones you want.... and if you like you can send me a few of your own ..

Happy savings!!