Holiday Shopping Already?

Have you started your holiday shopping? I have - only because my budgeting technique this year is to spread out my gift buying! There's an interesting article on AdWeek's Web site this morning called " Don't Count on Grandma this Xmas" that cites an AARP Bulletin poll on spending this holiday season.
The survey conducted among AARP members showed that 34% of those 50 and up expect to spend less on the holidays than they did last year - and only 5% expect to spend more this year. Forty-nine of those respondents said that they would eliminate spending by "buying fewer gifts." What are you doing this holiday season to save money?
Another story worth checking out is this one from the Los Angeles Times today that discusses a topic we brought up yesterday - paid sick time. The article tells a familiar story about Americans who feel they are being forced to work sick - because if they didn't, they would lose pay and even face disciplinary action. The article says that because of the recession, a whopping 84% of workers felt pressured to come to work even if they were sick. Congress is planning to consider legislation next week that would guarantee workers paid sick days.