
Have you entered my cash giveaway yet?
So normally it takes me a little while to get into the holiday season. In other parts of the city, it just doesn’t feel like Christmas time until the last week or so. While working downtown you notice it approaching a lot more. All of the stores have their holiday displays up and people just get in the festive mood earlier. There were even carolers at one of the train stations the other day.
To honor that holiday spirit I took my girlfriend to see the Christmas light show in the big city park here. I really wasn’t expecting much, but it was actually very well done. They have a little train that takes you through the park, all lit up by thousands of bulbs. There was music timed for specific areas of the train. At one point there was even a live performer on stilts, dressed as a reindeer. For some reason he was as John Travolta from Saturday Night Fever and was doing an appropriate dance. I didn’t quite get it, but it was amusing.
Yeah I slipped in that I have a girlfriend again. For a while now I’ve been back with my recent ex that I’ve written about previously. Things are going well with me and her. So well that she’ll be coming with me on a vacation to Mexico in January. I just regret that we had our previous problems. She’s an amazing woman that I really love
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Are you starting to feel in the holiday spirit yet? How much of your Christmas shopping have you done so far?

Good luck with the girlfriend situation

Lance @ Money Life and More recently posted..Massive Cash Back – Blue Cash Everyday® and Preferred® by American Express
lol thanks Lance. I think it is all settled down and going well now.
I actually married the last woman I broke up with, so I know it can work. A foreign vacation seems like a pretty big step. Congrats!
Edward recently posted..Cheap vs Frugal: How Far is Too Far?
Yeah I’m sure it happens with a lot of couples. They face some kind of turmoil and their relationship just strengthens after going through that.
Thanks for the mention Jeremy. We’re thinking of going to the light show as well, but December seems to be flying by – hopefully I’ll make the time, it’s a pretty impressive show.
Brian recently posted..Dealing with debt
Do try to check it out. I don’t know how much it is changed from year to year, but it was definitely more than I was expecting. The volunteers obviously put in a ton of time setting it up.
I love light shows, but not sure about John Travolta, maybe Grease over SNF? Thanks for the mention. Have a great weekend.
Kim@Eyesonthedollar recently posted..December Goals
I’m not a big Travolta fan, but that part was only a very small section of the train ride. If I remember correctly it was to the beat of YMCA, but spelling out S-A-N-T-A. It was amusing at least.
Thanks for the mention Jeremy. I hope everything goes well with you and your girlfriend and that you enjoy Mexico.
Grayson @ Debt Roundup recently posted..Calling All Personal Finance Bloggers
Thanks Grayson. I’m sure it will all go well. Mexico should be a blast, especially since it’s been a few years since my last real vacation.
Glad to hear everything is back on track for you mate. Thanks for the mention. Mr.CBB
Canadianbudgetbinder recently posted..CBB Net Worth Update~November 2012
No problem Mr CBB. Keep up the great work on your blog.
Thanks for mentioning Jordann’s post on my blog

Michelle recently posted..Avoiding Lifestyle Inflation
No problem Michelle. Looks like it was a good move to hire her on as a staff writer.
Have a great weekend, Jeremy! I’m not really in the holiday spirit, yet. I’m just ready for it all to be over with!
Holly@ClubThrifty recently posted..Tips for Job Seekers – The “What Not to do” Edition
lol don’t be a scrooge Holly. I’m sure the holidays are actually a blast with kids to enjoy it with.
Thanks for including my post Jeremy. I haven’t entered the cash giveaway yet, but will be doing that next. $250 would be a nice right around the holidays!
Jason Clayton | frugalhabits recently posted..7 ways to enjoy Traveling, have an amazing Vacation, and still be Frugal
That’s what I was hoping for. At this time of year, people are sure to need a bit of extra cash. I’m pretty happy with the number of entries so far, but I would like to see the momentum keep going.
Thanks for the mention Jeremy! Glad things are going better for you & your girlfriend. My wife and I were just talking about me being in the Holiday spirit last night. I love the Holidays and all that surrounds it, but I HATE Christmas music. I think a lot of it has to do with hearing the same 10 songs 50 times a piece for a month long period. We just finished all our shopping today, so that’s one good thing to have done.
John S @ Frugal Rules recently posted..Frugal Friday: Posts That Ruled This Week, Christmas is in Two Weeks Edition!
lol too funny. I’m the same way. I like this time of year, but why are we tortured by having to hear the same songs over and over and over? Like is there subliminal messages in that crap that the ‘man’ wants to ingrain into our minds? I should try to get my shopping done this week too. I’m already not a big fan of going to the mall. So to go when it is packed full of people, it’s not my idea of fun.
Thanks for including my post and it’s nice to hear you were able to reconnect with someone who obviously means a great deal to you. Enjoy your trip to Mexico together!
K.K. @ Living Debt Free Rocks! recently posted..My Weekly T.G.I.F.
No problem KK. I’m glad we reconnected too. She really makes me a happier person.
In the spirit of Holidays, I hope everything works out between you and her.
Thank you for mentions!
Veronica recently posted..Entrepreneurial Wisdom Poster via LinkLuv Friday
Thanks Veronica. I think it will work out because we both care a lot about making each other happy. With that mindset it’s a lot easier to get over problems.
Light show sounds like fun
Maybe I’ll check it out next year. I guess you’ve made the necessary plans for the trip to Mexico already because January is a really good month to visit down there and flight schedules might be busy/expensive around that time. I think I feel a bit of the holiday spirit now. I recently finished all my holiday shopping anyway. Thanks for the mention.
liquid recently posted..Gay People Are Smart With Their Money
Actually, flying to Mexico is usually quite cheap. It is more expensive to go fly up to my original BC hometown to visit my dad. We watched prices for a bit and locked in a pretty reasonable price for our Mexico flights. I think because it’s so close to Christmas a lot of people would’ve already gone for the holidays or are waiting until later in winter. And yeah, check out the light show next year. It’s a great place to take a date
Definetly feeling the christmas spirit! been making a lot of christmas sweets to give to family and friends!
Blonde on Budget recently posted..Do`s and Don`ts when Traveling by Airplane
Mmmm Christmas sweets. I’d get started on that too, but then they wouldn’t last until then. I’d end up eating them all in the meantime. I think I’ll wait until the last week and then do a bit of baking.
Been too warm to think of Christmas, but this week it changes. Cold sweeps across the US, and I’ll get in the mood. Ah, Christmas.
Rod J. Rogers (@FreeAgentRogers) recently posted..Enjoy a 3 Day Weekend – Every Week!
It’s been cold enough here to think about Christmas, but we’re pretty accustomed to having a green Christmas. It’s pretty rare to have any snow on the ground this time of year. We did get a tiny bit of snow on the weekend though. Luckily I’ll be flying somewhere with some snow for it to really feel like the holidays.
Thanks for the mention!

Mo’ Money Mo’ Houses recently posted..Weekly Link Love: Running Around Like a Crazy Cat Edition
No problem Jessica. I guess you’re not in the holiday spirit since you didn’t answer the question
Thanks for including my guest post at Eyes on the Dollar. Hope you have a great trip

Mandy @ MoneyMasterMom recently posted..Are your Finances an Amazing Race?
No problem Mandy. Glad to share quality posts on Kim’s blog. Enjoy your holidays too.
Thanks so much for including me. Good luck with the lady
Sometimes you need time apart to make things work!
Catherine recently posted..Money, Feminism and Divorce?
No problem Catherine. I do think it made our relationship stronger. It made us both fully realize what we had and now we put a lot more effort into the relationship.
Thanks for including my post. Best wishes for your Mexico trip in January.
Rohit @ The Money Mail recently posted..Roth IRA
You’re welcome Rohit. I’m looking forward to some rest and relaxation down in Mexico. I’ve never been down there, but I’m sure it will be a blast.
Which ex are we talking about here? The most recent one or the one from a year ago?
Oh…thanks for the mention of course!

Jason @ WorkSaveLive recently posted..Want to Win an iPad 3? Luckily for You, We’re Giving One Away…
I guess I should’ve been more clear about that. It’s the most recent one, not the one that I was with for years. And no problem about the mention Jason.
One of the minor negatives about living in a small town (like I do) is that there is not a big light show at Christmas. Sounds like yours was good, even if a little different. The train sounds cool.
Best of good wishes for you and your girlfriend.
Patti recently posted..More Inexpensive Christmas Gift Ideas – $10 or Less!
I grew up in a small town and I wouldn’t say it’s really a negative. I found that in the small towns a greater percentage of people would put up lights. So it’s just a matter of driving around to look at them. I recall doing that a lot when I was younger.
May your relationship will rekindle forever! Good luck, my friend
Shilpan recently posted..Effect of Taxes on the Economy
Thank you for your kind words Shilpan. I hope that comes true.