One Way to Make the Holidays Enjoyable

An almost unavoidable aspect of the Holidays is shopping. Like many, I look forward to shopping--it's the only time of year I can let my inner shopaholic emerge--going into stores with holiday music playing, the thrill of tracking down a good deal, the irrational joy involved with buying, the ability to spend money and justify it since it's gifts for others--what's not to like? The bills that come in after the Holidays--that's what's not to like.

While we need it year round, during the Holiday season we really need to develop that inner voice of caution that starts with telling us to create a budget of what we can afford to spend on gifts, holiday trimmings, parties, food and items involved in gift giving and entertaining. Call it a Spending Plan since we're clearly going to spend and it may make us more inclined to develop it if we're not as negative about it as we are about "budgets". Be honest when coming up with--if you are going to get your pets gifts but hate to admit what you spend on them, put them on the Spending plan anyway.

Once you've taken the admirable step of creating your Spending Plan, check it at least every week. It's way too easy to start shopping and let our good intentions slip away but if you're looking at your plan every week, you can reign in your impulses before it's too late.

When your shopping is done, and you're on track with your Spending Plan--congratulate yourself and celebrate your success in being financially responsible (in a small, affordable way of course!). The Holidays will be even more enjoyable when you aren't stressed about if you have overspent-AND-January will be a lot happier if you're aren't dreading credit card bills! Check some other Holidays Shopping Tips on FTC's website.