As the song says, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” Really? Is it? The holidays are supposed to be a wonderful time for you and your family. Peace on earth, good will towards all men, and all of that. Then why do the all of the stresses leading up to the holidays make it feel quite the opposite?
The holidays can be a very tough time of the year for most, if not, all of us. The financial crunch to our wallets and bank accounts that happens at the end of the year increases stress levels for anyone. But there are ways to get through it and even have a good time this holiday season. And even in poor economic times there are ways to enjoy yourself and get through the holiday money crunch.
Things You Need To Consider And Act On To Help Get Through Holiday Money Crunch Time.
Spending Money – Spend Less!
Chances are you’ll be spending at least some money during the holiday season. With careful planning, you can stretch even a small budget to go quite a long way.
Consider The Following Holiday Money Saving Tips:
1. Save Throughout the Year.
Most people let the holidays creep up on them. All of a sudden they realize it’s two weeks before Thanksgiving and they need to begin preparing. You can’t pull money out of nowhere and you should resist the urge to put all of your purchases on credit. If you’ve done this in the past, you know first hand that you’ll still be paying off last year’s gifts for years to come!
- Automatically withdraw a small amount of money from each paycheck that goes toward your Christmas savings. If it is too late for you to do this year, start in January. Even small amounts add up to a substantial difference at the end of the year.
- 10 dollars a month = 120.00
- 20 dollars a month = 240.00
- 30 dollars a month = 360.00
- 40 dollars a month = 480.00
- 50 dollars a month = 600.00
2. Shop Early.
When you shop early you can avoid the stress of the crowds and the urgency of having to make decisions quickly. Start by making a list of gift ideas for everyone. This way, as you see the items throughout the year, you can pick them up. You may even find that they’re cheaper during off-peak times than during the holiday rush.
3. Make Some Gifts Yourself.
If money is extra tight this year, consider giving your loved ones handmade gifts. Handmade gifts are given straight from the heart. They’ll provide memories that last a lifetime and are important reminders that the holiday season is not just about spending money. You can create coupons for things that you can do for the recipients of your gifts.
4. Shop For The Deals.
While it can end up taking a great deal of extra time, make sure you do your homework when it comes to shopping for deals. Prices can vary greatly from vendor to vendor. Luckily, the internet can be your best friend when it comes to shopping for deals. It allows you to comparison shop quickly and easily from the comfort of your own home.
- While you’re shopping online, always remember to stay safe. If you haven’t heard of the website you’re purchasing from, make sure that you’re shopping on a secure server and do additional research into the company to seek out reviews and opinions. Remember that if a deal seems to good to be true, then…
Planning Your Budget
Whether or not you’ve saved throughout the year, it’s always a good idea to put yourself on a strict budget. Give yourself a total dollar amount and then decide how much you’ll spend on each person. If you need money for entertaining, decorating, food, or other things, budget for that as well.
Remember to check in with yourself from time to time to make sure that you remain on budget. While it may be extra work, it’ll save you the stress of dealing with big credit card bills in the new year.
Dealing With Stress
If the stress of the holidays has gotten you down, you’re certainly not alone. It’s not fun to have to deal with the financial aspect, but it’ll help to keep the reward in mind. Read some of the other articles in the Men, The Holidays Category.
If you are already too late with all of the above for this year, at least you can finish the year up knowing that you have a plan for next year.
Conclusion
If you’ve spent your money well, avoided racking up too much debt, and you and your family gets through the holidays in a decent peaceful manner, then consider your job done. By making the time to plan the for the holiday crunch, minimized the drama caused by holiday stress, the good memories shared with your loved ones will last a lifetime. Remember that you can’t place a price tag on memories. When you focus on making the positive moments happen and are actually able to have them, it will be worth most of the holiday season stresses that you may have to endure.
BAM! Be A Man. Do The Right Thing. Take Care Of Yourself And Your Money. Happy Holidays!
BAM! Be A Man. Do The Right Thing.
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