| As we roll through this holiday season, I think we | | | | hints at things that would make good gifts. Find |
| can all agree that it is a time for increased | | | | them on special, and you won't even have to put |
| spending for most of us. First, there are gifts to | | | | them on your Christmas buying list in December. |
| be bought. Throw in any holiday parties you might | | | | Decorations-do your best to hold on to your |
| be hosting. After that, you can throw in increased | | | | decorations from year to year. Store them |
| utility bills because of the weather and the | | | | securely and they should keep forever. I mean, is |
| Christmas lights in and around your house, and the | | | | it really necessary to go out and buy new |
| list goes on and on. | | | | decorations every year? How long is this stuff up, |
| Obviously, it is a time of year when we spend | | | | six weeks at the most? |
| more money than normal. | | | | Parties-you should be able to find cheaper |
| During my struggle to get out of debt, this was | | | | alternatives all the way around, without |
| always a time where I felt tempted to let my | | | | disappointing your guests. Tempted to get a fruit |
| guard down. I mean, c'mon, it's Christmas, right? | | | | tray, or cheese tray or whatever tray from your |
| Who cares if you go out and buy the best food | | | | local store? Why not grab a decorative plate, a |
| out there for your Christmas party, or let your | | | | little leaf lettuce, buy the cheese/veggies/fruits |
| utility bills run wild because of the lights and the | | | | yourself, and save some loot? I have priced |
| cold weather? What's the difference if you just | | | | these things out and you can save almost half by |
| go "nutso" on Christmas gifts, spending inordinate | | | | cutting the stuff up yourself. |
| amounts of money on gifts for family and | | | | Additionally, if entertaining friends, consider making |
| friends? | | | | it a pot-luck type of thing. That lessens the load |
| Reason being because, first, it Christmas. It's the | | | | financially, and allows your guests to bring some |
| time of year to be in the spirit of giving, and why | | | | of their own favorites. |
| not just forget about a budget you might be on, | | | | Beer/Wine/Liquor-Of course these are necessities |
| a credit card that might be getting away from | | | | for any party, but do you need to buy top-shelf |
| you, or anything else financially-related. Now is the | | | | stuff? I doubt anyone would mind if you |
| time of year to forget about it all and just have | | | | purchased some middle-of-the-road brands |
| fun and be in the Christmas spirit. Because on top | | | | instead. This can lead to major savings. |
| of everything else, that tax check is just a few | | | | Utilities-don't run Christmas lights all night. Monitor |
| months away-we'll just pay everything off with | | | | your thermostats. Better yet, already have your |
| that. | | | | house winterized (insulation, etc) before you even |
| This used to be my mindset. Until I decided that | | | | get into the season. |
| enough is enough. | | | | Budget your gifts---Give yourself a limit and/or |
| So, am I advocating that we skimp on every little | | | | budget for what you'll spend on friends and family. |
| thing, micromanaging every extra purchase down | | | | See how many you have to buy for and how |
| to the last penny till the last day of the holiday | | | | much you can spend on each. At least then you'll |
| season? Absolutely not. What I am saying is that | | | | have a reference point. |
| let's not forget that most of us are on a budget, | | | | Entertainment-we found quite a few free light |
| most of us do not have an unlimited amount of | | | | shows in local neighborhoods and even one at a |
| expendable income, and if we just keep a little | | | | hospital. We decided against the one that cost |
| financial prudence and discretion somewhere in the | | | | $40 to attend. There are plenty of free things to |
| back of our minds, then we should be able to | | | | enjoy during Christmas. |
| lessen the burden just a little bit. | | | | Credit Card Bills-don't look at your tax return |
| I mean, why get that January financial hangover | | | | check as a bill paying option for your Christmas |
| every year, where we just can't believe the | | | | spending. With this mindset, of course you'll spend |
| money we spent and are scratching our heads | | | | more than you would if you didn't have that |
| wondering how we're going to pay it off. Is this | | | | check coming. Rather, look at your return money |
| the memories you want for all holiday seasons to | | | | as extra income to invest and get it to start |
| come? | | | | generating income for you. You can dip into it a |
| While what I am about to give you is far from a | | | | little, but start to view it as an investment vehicle |
| comprehensive list to impact your holiday | | | | rather than a fund to pay off all your holiday |
| spending, I think there are at least a few good | | | | cheer. |
| ideas in there that you may find useful. Of course, | | | | I feel that I enjoy the holiday season with my |
| it's just about too late to do anything about the | | | | friends and family as much as anyone. My family |
| money spent on gifts, but the holiday season isn't | | | | gives out good gifts and we throw good parties. I |
| over with and there might still be some time for | | | | just try to keep somewhere tucked away in my |
| us to keep our Christmas credit card bills from | | | | head the fact that all this stuff will have to be |
| going through the roof. | | | | paid for, and why not exercise a little restraint |
| Shopping-I try to buy as much during the year as | | | | while still partaking in all the festivities that |
| I can, so there are some things that I just don't | | | | Christmas has to offer. |
| have to buy. It sounds more difficult than it really | | | | Enjoy your holiday season!! And I hope you found |
| is, but if you pay attention to your friends and | | | | this helpful. |
| family throughout the year, they will give you | | | | |