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Its easy to feel financially…unwellduring the holidays.
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(Not to mention all those tempting seasonal sales!)
I don’t want to look like Scrooge!"
Holiday gift-giving pressure isnt all external, though.
Adding to all of these sky-high expectations are the additional financial stressors of this particular holiday season.
In a recent survey fromU.S.
Heres how to spend your money more mindfullyand meaningfullyduring the holidays.
These are my five best tips to prevent overspending and tend to your financial wellness during the holidays.
Too often, people overspend because something catches their eye when theyre holiday shopping.
Then, when the season is over, they realize theyve spent way more than they wanted to.
Do you want to spend $1,000 total?
or I have to opt out of the gift exchange, but thank you for including me!)
or go the DIY route.
Can you whip up a mean batch of peanut butter cookies?
Are you a painter with a penchant for tiny watercolors?
Consider gifting your personal creations instead.
A neighborhood friend of mine started doing this a few years back.
Remember the study I mentioned earlier about gift givers being motivated by the receiver’s reaction?
Thats why I recommend imagining the recipient opening a potential purchase when you arent around.
As an example, I was on the receiving end of a verypractical gifta few years ago.
So instead of asking yourself, Will they light up when they get this gift?
Maybe your mom needs a new glasses case more than a cashmere sweater.
I also love thinking through future expenses I know Ill have, and factoring those into my gift shopping.
Everything frombeauty setsto wine grab bags can get divvied up and wrapped individually to make cute gifts.
And while I have you, a tip to boost your financial wellness next year?
Treat gift-giving like a bill and save for it each month.
