Welcome to the 11 November 2008 enewsletter
Each year Christmas seems to come earlier than the year before, and with many Australians feeling the pinch this year, AboutSeniors have been hard at work trying to source the best money saving ideas this Christmas. We’ve got some great ideas for saving money by making your own Christmas cards and wrapping paper, and Drew’s technology tips may help you save money on your mobile and broadband plans.

Kaye’s blog brings a timely reminder of what Christmas means and the true meaning of a gift. Debbie has sourced travel deals and ideas for those wishing to escape the Christmas madness this year and we’ve even got the perfect Christmas present for family and friends. Save $8 on an annual subscription to Your Life Choices magazine, just for being an AboutSeniors subscriber, you only pay $19.95.

We’ve got some discounts that will help cut the cost of travel and a tasty take-away food deal that’s too good to miss. And to help get you in the Christmas spirit, why not rustle up some of Tessa’s Mince Tarts, sit back and relax and enjoy a classic Bronte novel brought to life.

And lastly, we need your help. We’re looking for grandparents to tell us what you need to know to help you do the most important job you have, as well as possible.

Keep jolly
David & Kaye Fallick

Spread the joy
Got a great Christmas money saving idea? Then why not share it with AboutSeniors subscribers for your chance to win an Acorn Christmas DVD pack.

Paper no more
In this technological age, by the time you get your daily paper, the news is old. Break the habit of having a hard copy of your newspaper and save yourself money.

Make your own Christmas Cards
Christmas cards are expensive to buy and then you have to pay for the postage. Not sending cards is one way of saving money but making your own is a more creative way of being frugal.

Saving connection costs
Browsing the web and reading up on our local technology news, the team at AboutSeniors came across these two handy tools targeted at finding you the best-priced Broadband and Mobile phone deals, tailored to your needs.

Don’t lose it
Whether you’re on the internet frequently, or just a casual user, you’ll come across sites that you find useful, and of which you want to keep note. Now there’s a simple tool that helps you manage this.

Christmas craft
The best way to keep the cost of Christmas down is by making gifts yourself, but maybe you need a little bit of inspiration. There are craft markets in every state, find one near you.

Oldies but goodies
Old rockers never die; they just need to turn the volume up! If you’re an old rocker at heart, why not take in some live music this weekend, and the best thing is, it’s free.

Wrapping paper
If you’re not particularly handy when it comes to crafts, but have over zealous grandchildren, then making your own wrapping paper is a great way of saving money and keeping them busy!

What is a present?

Tessa’s Mince Tarts
Tessa B is one of the best cooks we know, here she shares her brilliant mince pie recipe

Camp Christmas
Boxing Day is traditionally when Aussie families head off on their summer holiday, but why not beat the rush and head off before Christmas Day.

Home from home
One of the best ways to really enjoy all a travel destination has to offer, is to live as the locals do. A cheap and easy way to arrange this is by swapping houses.

Stay six, pay three
Give the Christmas festivities a miss this year and head off to sunny Samoa with this great half-price accomodation offer.

Tropical North Queensland on sale
Enjoy a pre-Christmas break in Tropical North Queensland, before summer holidaymakers hit the beach, and save.

Bronte brought to life
Charlotte Bronte’s classic novel is brought to life in this 1970s BBC adaptation of Jane Eyre.

That's what I consider true generosity. You give your all, and yet you always feel as if it costs you nothing.
- Simone de Beauvoir
Read more quotes here.