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About Spilyay tymoo. (Warm Springs, Or.) 1976-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 11, 1981)
Spilyay Tymoo December 11, 1981 Page 9 Family Lifelines— [7f7r?f7r If you think about it, families are the basis our world is built on. People make families, families make communities, com m unities make states, states make countries, and countries make our world. It only follows that the e x p e rie n c e s le a rn e d by members within a family help build the type world we live in. Each and everyone of us, no matter how small and helpers we feel, can help the chain along in a positive direction through good family communi cations and understanding between family members. This is the first of a continuing series of articles and thoughts on building positive family member understanding family member understanding, communications, and interac tion. Let Teens in On family finance So your teenager wants to buy a motorcycle, but the money is needed to help replace the washing maching that’s on its last legs. M oney can to u c h off conflicts between teens and parents, but parents can help the situation by letting the teen in on the family’s financial p la n n in g . Y oung people probably won’t be interested in every detail, but they should understand all the expenses that the family income has to cover. If the teen is included in the family decision to fix up the old car rather than buy anew one, he or she may learn the valuable lesson that taking care of things saves money. Plus he may see that a new motorcycle is out of the question because of the family car repairs unless he earns the money for the motorcycle himself. Take the teenager along when you shop for a major househoud item that will affect him or her directly, such as a popcorn popper the teen will be likely to use. That way he or she will learn about comparision shopping. Teenagers also need to be involved in family financial decisions. Whether they earn their own money or receive an allowance, it’s good money management experience for them to have money that they determine how to spend and save. Beating the cash crunch Cash, bread, plastic money, checks; there are many names for the money that has to be spend daily to live. Amounts of money available are shrinking, ind on top of that a dollar is not worth what it used to be! Although the outlook is not good now and everyone will have to “ tighten up on spending,” there are still ways to spend money wisely and to plan for and afford necessities and a few luxuries. This is the first of a continuing series of articles and tips on smart shopping, family budget planning, and ways to make money buy more for you. from Rennie Albrandt and Clint Jacks A g if t of tim e Gift-giving can be frustrating learning to cook. Instead of a when it comes to finding an potted plant, your grandparent item that suits your special may enjoy a couple of da vs out shopping with you or perhaps person—and is affordable. A creative alternative to high your mending talents, while prices, endless searching, and you share togetherness. Your long check-out lines might be a imagination will give vou other gift of time, which you could suggestions for gifts tailored promise to your special person. to those for whom you care. Bring back the joy and This will free you from spending cash and let you plan m e a n in g to g iv in g by a surprise that will really be presenting a gift of time. Make appreciated when you “I.O.U.” your own fancy I.O.U. gift certificates and be sure to is cashed. The promise of a half-day o follow through on them at a bread baking might be an c o n v e n ie n t tim e fo r the excellent gift for a friend receiver. Christm as gift-givingrequires special attention Appliances Always popular gifts at Christmas time, appliances can be a good or bad gift choice. If considering apliances as gift items this year, first off think of the person you are buying for a n d a sk y o u r s e lf th e se questions: —Does the person you are buying for need the appliance? Does he/she already own the appliance? does he/ she already have an appliance that does the same job as your gift? —How much energy does the appliance use? —How much storage spare will the appliance take up and does the person have room for it? —Will the appliance be used? If the answers to the above questions are yes then your search for an appliance should be guided by the following tips: —Look for good used larger appliances such as washers and dryers or freezers. —Shop around at various appliance outlets, discount stores, and through catalogs and look at different models, features, quality and prices. Compare all of these carefully; many times you will pay for unneeded features. Prices always vary from store to sto re,. —Watch for sales after you have decided on the appliance you have chosen to give. —Ask seller about warranty c o n te n t and len g th and consider this when comparing prices and features. —Also, check if service on any type appliance is available through a reliable source in your area. —Save all sales receipts on purchases in the event of appliance failure or duplication of gifts. Generally, take your time shopping around; this can make the difference between a good useful appliance or a piece of junk that will take up space. Clothing To get the most from the money you spend on clothing fo r g ifts th is C h ristm a s consider the following tips on shopping for quality, at sales, and whether to sew clothing or not: —Think about the person you are buying for and make sure the clothing you buy them will fit their lifestyle — C o n s id e r w h e th e r th e garment will be expensive to keep up, does it have to be dry cleaned, etc. Reading care labels inside clothing will help you with your choice. —Check -fabric quality and w o 'rk m a n s h ip w ith th e following checklist: 1. Will the fabric texture shag easily? A. 2. Does the fabric wrinkle permanently when a portion of it is crushed inside your fist? 3. If you hold the fabric up to a light can you easily see light between the threads? (The closer the threads are woven next to each other, the better the quality of fabric.) 4. Watch when reading care labels to see if the fabric will shrink or if the fabric color will run. (Ask the salesperson if you can’t find it on the care label) 5. Seams should be at least !4 inch wide and preferable !4 wide with a good seam finish. 6. Is button hole stitching heavy enough to bind off fabric around the buttonhole? 7. Are there fabrics inside collars, cuffs and shirt fronts to make fabric desirable and buttonholes stronger? 9. Are there strings hanging from garment? This is usually a sign of poor quality. If you still want to purchase the garment, cut off these strings; don’t pull them off or this may damage the garment or buttons may fall off. 10. Hems should be at least 1 inch and sewn in so they don’t show on the ouside of the garment. 11. Watch for pre-Christmas sales, but shop around first before buying. Many times sale prices in one store maybe higher than normal prices in other stores. 12. Compare prices, fabric type, and garment features between catalogs, local stores, discount stores, larger city stores, and local newspaper sale ads. Also, consider gas and time incolved in traveling to the lowest price items. 13. Save all sales, receipts so that clothing that doesn’t fit right can be returned or,. e x c h a n g e d f o r a n o t h e r that the toy represents that makes them want the toy. garment. —At sales always know current —Check out toys your child is clothing prices before you buy interested in for the following to really know a bargain when before you buy them: 1. Are there small parts in the you see one. —In many cases it pays to sew toy that can cut, or break off some clothing or fabric gifts, and be swallowed? but consider the following. 2. Will the toy,shatter easily so 1. Do you have the time to sew that a child might be cut. Also the toy won’t give enjoyment items in time for Christmas? 2. Fabric and notions bought for long if it breaks easily. for home sewn items needs to 3. Make sure toys are painted be low enough prices so that it with non-toxic paints; other cheaper to sew the garment paints can contain lead that than to buy it. This depends or may cause poisoning from lead your personnel situation. Do to a child. you have lots of time and not 4. Check for wires, decorations much money? Do you have a that can stick, poke or cut a lot of supplies on hand? child. 8. The type of garment sewn 5. A great hazzard is propelled will determine whether you toys or toys th a t shoot save money or not. Usually projectiles or missies at high long term clothing such as speeds, Projectiles can cause coats, jackets, rather than serious injury at close range. current style blouses, pants, and jumpsuits will be the best 6. Electrical toys such as small investment of time and monev ovens, toasters, irons and other invested in sewing. Usually toys that heat up can also be most all clothing that is home dangerous. sewn will be of a better quality 7. Climbing equipment and than store-bought. It might be other free-standing toys should wisest to invest sewing time and be checked for “tip-over” money in garments that will not possibilities. soon go out of style and that are 8. Take time to check age high quality materials. Other recommendations for different garments wore only during the type toys before you buy. period they are in style might be 9. Check toys received from best bought as cheaply as other relatives and friends to possible. make sure they are safe and 9. Last of all do you have a spend some time with your sewing machine and do you child and help them learn to use enjoy sewing? toys received safely. —When shopping for toys you Toys Since Christmas is a most will find that prices vary greatly special time for children, toys sale ads in the newspaper, shop Shop around first, watch tor are one of the most frequent items on Christmas shopping sale ads in the news paper, shop lists. Follow these tips to buy before and after Christmas safe, affordable toys that when sales are more common children will play with longer and again save sales receipts so you can return defective or than Christmas morning: —Toy advertizing encourages duplicate toys. c h ild re n to w ant th in g s — Consider m aking some impulsively, so it’s good to talk hom em ad e to y s. S everal with your children and really publications with instructions find out what toys they really for making toys are available free at the Extension Service want. 1. What is your favorite T.V. Office by calling 553-1161 ext. 238. The publications will be toy? delivered to you. 2. Why do you like it? 3. Ask them if it is the music, Have a safe, happy and action, or a famous personality economical Christmas!!
