“Celebrate endings—for they precede new beginnings.” – Jonathan Lockwood Huie.
“Don’t live the same year 75 times and call it a life.” – Robin Sharma.
“Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson.
“The magic in new beginnings is truly the most powerful of them all.” – Josiyah Martin.
“Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365-page book. Write a good one.” – Brad Paisley.
“Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go. They merely determine where you start.” – Nido Qubein.
“New year—a new chapter, new verse, or just the same old story? Ultimately we write it. The choice is ours.” – Alex Morritt.
Christmas has, once again, been honored and celebrated! It is a special time of the year. Let’s share the love and joy that we’ve experienced this year with others throughout each day of the coming year. Share some priceless time with family and friends throughout each new month. Especially, in January since it is a tough month for many people after having experienced such a wonderful holiday season.
As this year ends and a new year begins, meditate on spiritual growth with encouraging and enlightening reading to inspire a renewed walk in faith with God and a profound commitment to living as such. This is a great season to reflect on the renewed and living hope we have in this life and beyond. We can trust God in the days and months ahead for He has good plans for our future. Be good stewards in all that we have been given in this journey called life!
Here are some landscaping and gardening tips that might be helpful and economical to you.
End of year savings at the stores: This is a good time to purchase any needed items at a significantly discounted price. These savings mean more bang for your buck thus minimizing your project expenses.
Sketch before digging or building: Always plan your steps in the landscaping process. Part of the planning involves sketching your ideas onto paper. Do the math! Determine the quantities of plants needed, the volume of materials necessary, and the costs to complete your project. This approach will help you determine exactly what you need and avoid wasting your hard-earned dollars.
Pursue the right resources: As you begin your planning, do the necessary research to find the professional assistance needed to determine economic savings with minimal waste from start to finish. Find the right personnel who will give you sound and accurate advice. This resourceful support and information may be partial or for the entirety of the project. The price you pay for an hour of consultation could prove priceless, especially if it saves you money on designs, plants, supplies and other items, as well as preventing costly errors.
Complete your project in phases: Very few people have the necessary and available funding to landscape their site or property all at once. Divide your project into phases over the next few seasons or years. This approach will be a “pay as you develop” with current funding on hand which will save you on credit or loan costs and fees. Also, you will be able to assess your progress within each phase and make any necessary changes or modifications before moving to the next phase. Do keep each phase on a time schedule to keep your family happy and interested in the project.
Look at price and quality: You should never assume that cheaper is better! You always get what you pay for, so if you go cheap you may end up with low quality and a less desirable space. Your planning choices should include all types of retail outlets from warehouse to specialty shops to determine the best investment for you. Also, when (time of season) that you buy can be very critical in so far as being a bargain or not. It is best to buy Christmas decorations about the first of the year, plants in middle or late season, equipment in the off-season, etc. What about personal service, expert advice, guarantees, and rebates? Are these available? And, if you are planning specialized hardscapes, seek a specialty company rather than a general installation company that seldom deals with hardscapes.
Effective shopping and buying: Develop an instinct for finding the real deals. Always accept the lower prices when it’s good enough and you know for sure that quality is not sacrificed. With some items, there’s very little difference in quality between first class and economy. (Like in a plane, first class, business, comfort and coach will arrive at a destination together so are you willing to pay extra for the comfort since timing is equal?) What benefits are the extra costs providing you?
Online shopping and mail-order sources: Research catalogs and websites to expand your choices and buying power. Shopping online or by phone does offer a convenience but be assured of product quality and availability. Be certain that the company you are dealing with is reputable and not a scam. Also, are handling, shipping, taxes, and other costs added to the purchase price? If so, is it now such a bargain? Buying local does make accessibility more convenient and much simpler, as well as supporting local businesses.
Adapt sharing opportunities: Through friends and neighbors, you can share equipment and tools. Also, this becomes another way to be sociable and neighborly. If you are planning on renting a tiller, chipper, tractor, trencher or other piece of equipment, always plan in a manner that will provide best investment and wise use. Check with your friends and neighbors for the possibility of renting together and sharing costs to complete all projects in a specified time frame.
Have a happy and blessed new year!
“Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age…” Galatians 1:3-4. “God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.” Galatians 4:4-5. And again, Isaiah says, “The Root of Jesse will spring up, One who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in Him.” Romans 15:12. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1. “For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16.