Dec 10 2008
Do You Need A Reality Check This Holiday Season?
You are probably one of the millions of people affected by the economic turmoil. With the upcoming Christmas season, you may still be trying to figure out how to get that one-of-a-kind gift for your child or that special someone. If Suze Orman were to walk in your home, pull out your bills, and look at your Christmas list, would she say you need a reality check?
Suzie has been telling us for many years: “People, stop living the financial lies that you have been living. If you don’t have the money to pay for something, can you just not buy it? Can you wait?” This also applies to the Christmas season.
So, what should you do? Here are 12 tips (for each day of Christmas) to make the reality of this holiday season the best ever:
- Wait until AFTER Christmas to make purchases. Most everything will be on sale and you can buy for a fraction of the price marked before Christmas.
- Prioritize. What is more important, your child’s health or getting him the toy he wants to play with so badly for about a week before it is old? So, if you have been delaying his annual check-up, getting him glasses, or getting him braces for his teeth, do that instead.
- Christmas is the season for giving, but whoever said this had to be tangible gifts? Focus on giving more of yourself. Spend time with your family. Remember what Suze says, “People first, then money, then things”.
- Teach your children the lesson in #3 so that they will learn to be grateful for the basic necessities of life. This will give less attention to receiving gifts and more towards the spirit of giving.
- Write out a budget and stick to it.
- Use cash only. If you do not have it to spend, don’t.
- Be creative. Your parents may be happier with a DVD of their grandchild singing and dancing than another kitchen towel anyway.
- Do not just buy something to say you bought a gift. Isn’t that a waste of money? If you buy, do so because you know the recipient will love it. Otherwise, leave it on the shelf.
- Think of practical things to buy. Instead of buying new shoes, buy new shoe strings or shoe polish. Make something old look new.
- Do not spend money on the gift’s presentation. Either recycle old holiday gift bags or skip the gift-wrapping altogether.
- Shop only at discount stores.
- It is ok to say, “In reality, I cannot afford to buy anything this season, but I am grateful for the things I have and the opportunity to live another day and spend it with my family and friends.”
Happy Holidays!
Visit Glue 4 Families for more posts on family life by Davida.
One Response to “Do You Need A Reality Check This Holiday Season?”
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I agree. More people need to keep these thoughts in mind during the holiday season instead of getting more in debt. Do something simple for the holidays and catch the bargains afterwards.