Let’s face it – the holiday season can be overwhelming. For most people, it can involve a feeling of obligation for increased gift buying, pressure to decorate your home, yard or car (yes, your car!), an increase in the number of “special” meals we might prepare and consume, extra travel to see family, and more evening and weekend get-togethers. Not too sound too Grinchy – but sometimes it can seem be too much to take!
The folks at Consumer Reports thought so too so they polled people by phone and compiled a Top 10 list of sorts – actually, the Top 11 things American consumers dread about the holidays. Not too surprisingly, “Going into debt” was the 3rd item on the list. To that I say: Then don’t! Make a plan ahead of time and stick to it when shopping for gifts, meals and travel this year.
Just a few weeks ago, I spoke with one of our Debt Management Program clients, Diane. Diane is nearly finished with the program, having paid off 85% of her debt since first enrolling with us in October 2008. She said the first holiday season she went without her credit cards was hard. “At first, not having the cards to put Christmas on was the worst! But every year since, I’ve been able to pay for Christmas in cash and in advance of the actual day, and I don’t have the lingering dread of getting those bills the next month.” You said it, Diane!
Check out this website for tips on creating your holiday spending plan. You can also contact one of our counselors for a financial tune up by calling 303-233-2773. Happy Holidays!