Keep the Holidays, Lose the Expense

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Written by Gary Foreman

Are you dreading this holiday season? Especially with your already overstressed budget? Don’t despair! Controlling your holiday expenses could actually mean a better holiday for you and your family!

Begin by forgetting the bling. It’s not about how many of the new LED lights you can display. Rather take the time to enjoy the decorations you already have. Show Junior the ornament that marks his first Christmas and talk about what that holiday was like.

Move holiday communication into the 21st century. Christmas cards and the ‘annual
report on the Jones family’ are outdated and expensive. Move to online
communications. With the exception of those who would be hurt by not getting a
Christmas card (think Granny), use email for your annual family update. Better
still, post a video on YouTube. It’s more fun and does a better job communicating.

Shift the focus from the food to family. If your family is used to an overflowing
table remove a few items from the menu. Add some family fun in it’s place. Passing
around old family photos during dinner can trigger wonderful family memories. Spend
some time after watching old family videos. If the highlight of your family
gathering is the food, you’re missing the meaning of the holidays.

Get real about gifts. Even kids can understand that fancy toys are expensive. And,
that family needs come before wants. If they don’t already know it, that lesson
could be the most valuable gift that you could give them. Besides, despite what they
put on their Christmas list, what kids really want is you. So take some of that
shopping time and spend it with them.

Party responsibly. If the purpose of your gathering is to show off then this won’t
work for you. But, if you just want to enjoy time with friends and family then
entertaining shouldn’t be a problem. Ditch formality for casual. Instead of a lavish
buffet have a cookie exchange. Gather around the fireplace for some eggnog. The
sound of laughter in your home is the sign of a good party.

Share with a needy family. There’s something about helping others that makes both
you and the person you’re helping feel better about yourself. You may want to act
anonymously so you don’t embarrass them. I know of families where one of the biggest
parts of the holiday season is deciding who to help and how they’ll do it.

So don’t let a lack of money spoil your holidays. The very fact that money is tight
could be the spark that creates the best holiday you’ve ever had!

Gary Foreman is the editor of The Dollar Stretcher.com
website and various enewsletters including
Financial Independence. FI is a daily message designed to help people take control
of their financial lives through achieving small daily goals. To find out more check
out the Financial Independence page

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