6. Look through your local phone directory for a list of toy stores in your area. There might be some you aren't aware of.

7. Go shopping with list in hand. As you make purchases mark them off your list. Keep track of how much is left in each child's budget. If you are tempted to go beyond budget simply write down item as a future birthday gift idea.

8. Buy paper, bows and tags if you don't already have them. Spend an evening or two wrapping gifts. You did it!

I figure at least two of these are valuable lessons that can add happiness to a person's life. Little Lady teaches me self-actualization lessons daily now, and I am learning to listen with head and heart.

How often do we value wrong things? The things that cost most? How hard to we work to earn all that extra income to buy things we simply do not need. Anyone reading this probably has more than she will ever need, and yet don't we all want more anyway?

Suppose we chose to have less of things money can buy, and instead chose to have more time? More time to spend with our family? More time to spend with ourselves? More time to just be? What if we are giving up red balloon chasing after ball?

My wife and I made a big decision a few months ago. We gave up condo in city for a big ol' house in country. Our red balloon was space to raise a family in a much less noisy and stressed-out environment. The ball we gave up was "glamour" of city living and a fancy condo.

Assuming we can make a living from my book, my ezine, my web site and whatever other work-from-home projects I take on, we get to keep red balloon.

I invite you to look carefully at your life. Ask what truly brings you meaning. Then ask yourself if you could have more of that if you spent less time and effort on activities that don't bring you meaning but just fill your time.

Enjoy your red balloon.