Christmas Budget Tips - Keep Things Under Control

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If things got a little out of hand last year, here are some tips from Sandra for keeping the budget under control this Christmas…

Paying for the Holidays

In my book and in a previous blog, I mentioned the importance of establishing your Holiday budget. This has always been important, but with this year’s economy, I can’t emphasize this enough!

In an unstable economy, it is dangerous and foolish to acquire debt. Especially now we should be managing our incomes as carefully as we can, and we should be saving for emergencies.

If these things concern you, or if you spent too much money on Christmas last year and don’t want that burden hanging over your head again next year, now is the time to change that!

*Plan where and how you’ll celebrate the Holidays
*Determine to pay your November, December and January bills on time.
*Make your menus and grocery lists.
*Make your gift lists.
*Be realistic with how many people you can bless.
*Be realistic as to how much you’ll spend on each gift.
*Announce to your family and friends any changes you’re making this year.
*NEVER go into debt for gifts!

Be thoughtful and get creative with your gift-giving:

*Shop for bargains.
*Shop e-bay and other on-line discount places.
*Try making some of your own gifts.
*Give coupons for gifts of your time or talents.
*Remember, and teach your children the true meaning of Christmas.
*Practice selflessness, and stop selfishness.

Thanksgiving should be a great time of reflecting on the many things we have to be thankful for!

Christmas should be a beautiful time of remembering the gift God gave us, His Son, Jesus Christ.

New Year’s should be a fun time of recalling triumphs of last year, and making plans for the new year.

These should be happy, peaceful times, not stressful or dreaded. The burden of debt is a real joy-stealer. Decide now not to let debt rob you of your Holiday joy!

Be sure to pick up your copy of Stress Free Holiday Entertaining for some tips to help you breeze through the Holidays and enjoy your family and friends!