5 Steps to Spend Less and Give More
It is interesting to me how many people do not enjoy Christmas nor the holidays at this time of year. How is it that a time that is to be celebrated and is advertised to be so happy is sometimes so sad? Is Christmas and the holidays a time to…?
- spend money
- celebrate tradition
- enjoy family
- celebrate your faith
I think part of the problem is that we turn the holidays into a festival of spending. We put so much pressure on ourselves and our families to spend, eat, and give whether we can afford it or not. Whether we enjoy it or not. It’s easy to get caught up in holiday spending and buy things that we do not need and cannot afford.
Black Friday sales have been going on for a week and we still haven’t gotten to Black Friday. Just because something is on sale, does not mean it’s a good purchase. Just because you have a friend, does not mean you should buy them a gift. We use credit cards to buy things and then in January we find that we cannot afford to pay our bills. You need a budget for giving. If you can’t afford it today, why do you think you can afford it next year?
Be Realistic About What You Can Afford!
It is possible to spend less and give more. You can give your time, you can give your love, or maybe you can give homemade gifts rather than expensive store-bought gifts. But you must have a budget. Here are some simple tips to have a better holiday:
- Have a budget and stick to it.
- Pay cash for everything.
- Spend more time with friends and family and less time shopping.
- Don’t feel pressured to exchange gifts. Just because someone can afford to buy you a gift, doesn’t mean you have to buy them one too. A thoughtful card or a visit probably means more than a gift.
- Remember what Christmas and the holidays really represent!
I believe that if you follow these five steps you will have a merrier Christmas and a holiday season that will represent happier memories and more joyous time with family and friends. Enjoy your holidays and keep them under financial control!
