Eva Bradley's Blog

Can you believe it… many stores already started decorating for this year’s holiday season.

Toys “R” Us released its annual list of hot holiday toys. The retailer selected three dozen toys it expects will be popular this year, and named 15 of those as the hottest of the bunch…..Read full article.

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• 100 Days til Christmas Countdown & Free Planning Resources (forthemommas.com)

Save money during the holidays and buy that dream house in the New Year

The holidays can put a dent in your savings especially if you’re planning to buy a home. But there are several ways to cut costs so your finances aren’t in the red by New Year’s Day. Consider the following money saving tips:

• In lieu of buying presents for every family member, suggest a gift exchange and draw names out of a hat.
• Agree on a spending limit for gifts for friends and family and stick to it.
• Make your holiday meals a potluck and assign each guest an item to bring.
• To prevent the urge to overspend when shopping, use cash and leave your credit cards at home.
• Consider buying a joint gift rather than individual gifts for a family such as a zoo membership or movie tickets.
• Instead of holiday wrap, buy monochromatic wrap in holiday colors such as green, red, or gold that can be used all year.
• For young children, half the fun of holidays is often opening the gifts. Wrap small, inexpensive items separately – coloring books, crayons and picture books or novels, even stocking stuffers work well. Or recycle hand-me-down toys by wrapping them up and putting them under the tree.
• Instead of spending a lot of money on gifts from the mall, give homemade treats like fudge, truffles, cookies or jams and jellies.
• To cut down on postage and holiday card costs, send mail only to out-of-town friends and family you’re not likely to see throughout the year. Or send e-cards, which are usually free.
• To keep your electricity bill down, use a timer to turn outdoor lights on and off at designated hours.
• If you know you won’t be able to pay your credit card off right away, make sure you use a single low-interest card to make purchases – that way you can easily track them.
• When traveling during the holidays, try to fly on the day of the actual holiday (Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day). It’s usually cheaper and there are plenty of seats.
• Subscribe to receive e-newsletters from your favorite online merchants. They will often e-mail coupons to use for savings on purchases and shipping costs. Or subscribers may receive private sale information.
• Sometimes buying an item online is cheaper than going to the store since many sites don’t charge sales tax and offer free shipping. Use the savings to have the gift mailed directly to the recipient instead of standing in line at the post office.
• Instead of buying an expensive gift, make a donation to a worthy cause in a friend or family member’s name.

Wishing you and your loved ones a peacefull, safe Holiday Season.

Realty World Corral Hollow Real Estate and Property Managment, with Sue Langdon and Jennifer West as owners, its agents and property management staff are working feverishly to “deck the halls” to be ready just in time for Santa’s visit this weekend. Preparations are well on the way: candles lit, presents all wrapped, and the Christmas tree has already been decorated and lighted; the holiday spirit is here. Welcome,and please join us.

It is my pleasure to announce our traditional “Pictures with Santa” event this holiday season. This year is marking our 15th anniversary of this popular event. Many of our customers are coming back year after year to have their children and grandchildren photographed with Santa, for free.
This year’s event is not going to be any different and although our office location has changed, we are expecting a huge turnout again.
Every family with children will have pictures taken with Santa Claus, plus a bag filled with goodies and will enter in a drawing for a bicycle, all this at no cost. Also, families can enter in a drawing to win a decorated Christmas tree as well.
Refreshments: cookies and soft drinks – and while waiting for a visit with Santa, movies for the kids are provided. Pictures will be ready for pickup the same day.

Date: December 12th, 2009 10:00am-2:00pm

Location: Realty World Corral Hollow Real Estate

Address: 104 West 10th Street, Tracy, Ca 95376

Please call 209-914-0683 or email me at eva@evabradley.com for more information.

Please click here for directions.

Avoid Holiday Theft

Although we’d like to believe the holidays bring out peace on earth and good will towards men (as the Christmas carol goes), the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day tend to be a prime season for criminals. During this busy time of year, you can take some easy precautions to prevent becoming a victim of theft. Consider the following safety tips:

When holiday shopping:

• Don’t park in unlit areas at night.
• Put your shopping bags in your trunk. Don’t try to cover items on your seats with a blanket. Better yet, take your packages straight home after a shopping spree and then go back out.
• Don’t carry large amounts of cash with you, or else, keep it in your front pocket not in your purse or wallet.
• Be extra careful when carrying a purse – they are the prime targets of criminals in crowded shopping areas. If you must carry one, make sure it has a strap that can go over the shoulder and be held under the arm, making them more difficult for purse snatchers to grab.
• Keep a record of all of your credit card numbers in a safe place at home.
• Beware of strangers approaching you. This is the time of year when thieves may try various methods to distract you with the intention of taking your money or belongings.

At home:

• When leaving home for an extended time, have a neighbor or family member watch your house and pick up your newspapers and mail.
• Leave a light on when you leave your home at night or put your lights (including Christmas lights) on an automatic timer.
• Make sure your holiday gifts are not visible through the windows and doors of your home.
• Never say you are away from home on the outgoing message on you answering machine or voice mail. Simply say you are unable to get answer the phone at the time.

During the holidays, many people can become careless and vulnerable to theft and other holiday crime. Protecting yourself and your home from potential crime is the easiest way to ensure a safe and happy holiday season.

Here are some more tips:

• Never ever sit in your car without looking in the backseat area.
• Always be aware of your surroundings.
• Snap or zip up your hand bag.
• Do not ever roll down your car window for anyone.

Have fun shopping this Holyday Season, but remember: better be safe than sorry.