Financial and Lifestyle Resources for Vermont

While December inspires many traditions, giving gifts to those less fortunate is one of the more powerful ones. Americans from all walks of life give in this season, through their religious institutions, workplaces, local food and toy drives, and special events in our communities. While our tax code calendar is a practical aspect of our giving, where we choose to give is a personal expression of our life experiences, values, and our social circles and friendships. At the same time, non-profits, with their social impact missions, contribute 5.7 billion dollars to Vermont’s economy. Let’s look a little closer at philanthropy, a bit of its history, and what it means to us as modern-day Vermonters.

I don’t know about you, but I haven’t started my holiday shopping yet (even though Black Friday deals have been circulating for weeks, somehow). What better time to start than Small Business Saturday? Not only will you avoid supply chain issues, you are also supporting local stores and small business owners right here in Vermont. I asked around my office for my colleagues’ favorite hometown stores to support and compiled this categorized list of Vermont businesses. Join me in shopping locally on Small Business Saturday and throughout the holiday season!

There is something incredibly satisfying about not paying full price. Take the eight pints of Ben & Jerry’s currently in my freezer—how could I not take advantage of “buy two, get two free”? Finding deals and discounts can feel even more important for your holiday shopping, when you want to stretch your budget and find everyone on your list that special gift. In addition to Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals (already underway for many retailers!), here are a few different ways that you can find coupons and promo codes to save money when you purchase that perfect gift. Even better, you can use these resources year-round—including for yourself!

I’m trying to take a step back this holiday season, to be more conscious about my actions in the gift-giving realm and focus on other ideas besides new stuff. It’s not easy; the autopilot response is to buy new gifts and wrap them in flashy new paper. Since my children are older now, I don’t feel pressure to create such a magical experience, but holidays can be special at any age so I’m trying to quell my inner Grinch and find other ways to spread joy. Here are some simple ideas to switch it up, save money, and create more fun, less resource-intensive holidays.

If you haven’t finished your holiday shopping yet, you may find it challenging to get gifts delivered in time for the giving season, but don’t panic! Although the supply chain logjam means that everything from computer chips to pies from local bakeries is delayed by weeks or even months, we’ve got some ideas for how you can still find the perfect gift in time for the holidays.

Many people (myself included!) are itching to travel again. But it isn’t just the pandemic that prevents people from going abroad. A lot of would-be travelers don’t plan trips abroad for fears unrelated to COVID-19. Here are eight of the most common causes of travel anxiety—and ways you can reduce your fear for each one to take that trip across international borders.

Are you or have you been thinking about starting a business, or purchasing an existing one? It’s a big decision and a significant commitment—of time, energy, and, of course, money. When it comes to financing, you don’t have to do it alone. Here are a few questions that you’ll need to answer in order to secure a loan for your business.

Are you a beer lover? If you’re planning a staycation or are looking for an alternative to out-of-state travel, visiting Vermont’s Breweries may be the right adventure to embark on. Around the year 2008, I discovered that breweries that are members of the Vermont Brewers Association offer brewery passports. These passports were created to encourage participants to visit local breweries, where they receive stamps on their passports. Those who collect enough stamps win a prize.