Xmas Budget Tip: When Christmas rolls around, our budget tends to go out the window and then we struggle until March to catch up.
Why do we create this stress in our lives?
Probably because we have lost the true meaning of Christmas – which is to enjoy spending quality time together, reconnecting, relaxing. It is a time of sharing and caring and finding the true meaning of Christmas and what that means to you.
Putting yourself in debt over the holidays was never to be a part of Christmas. Starting first thing next year, start creating a Christmas budget – open a new bank account and put some money away every paycheck that will provide the funds for your Christmas gifts. Then come November or December, when you normally buy your gifts, you are only allowed to spend what you have saved in this account. That will keep you from getting into debt and will make for a better way to start of the New Year.
Another option is to purchase gifts throughout the year and put them away for Christmas. This will work for some things but not necessarily all as people may buy that item for themselves during the year and then you have to purchase something else. But it is a better option to debt.
The third option is to set a budget for gifts and sticking to that budget. This keeps everyone on the same playing field and helps with a less stressful environment – but you have to be honest with yourself and others as to what you can afford.
Either way, you are being proactive instead of reactive and setting yourself up for success and way less stress.
