Written by: Gary Foreman – The Dollar Stretcher Blog

According to Gallup polls, about 1/3 of Americans plan to spend less on the holidays this year than last.

<http://www.gallup.com/poll/123608/christmas-spending-forecast-down-year-ago.aspx>

For some families who are really struggling there will be very little money available for holiday spending.

But, that doesn’t have to mean that the holidays will be ruined for your family. In fact, it may give you an opportunity to have an even happier holiday season.

Begin by focusing on what you have, not on what you don’t have. It’s true that you might not have much money. But perhaps your home is full of love. Just by thinking about what you have, you’ll lift your spirits.

Take some time to enjoy the season every day. Get a copy of Dicken’s “A Christmas Carol” or other holiday book and read a bit each night. Even if you don’t have children in your home. Books have a wonderful way of mentally transporting us to a different time and place.

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The 12 Debts of Christmas Part Six

With the twelfth debt of Christmas

my banker said to me:

Twelve months till next year,

Eleven percent interest,

Ten gifts to wrap,

Nine more gifts to buy,

Eight mouths to feed,

Seven unpaid bills,

Six collectors calling,

Five overdrawn credit cards,

Four spending sprees,

Three party’s left

Too much money spent

And a New Year that I hope is debt free!

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The 12 Debts of Christmas Part Five

Silent night, Holy night!

I am broke, what a joke

I spent way more than I had planned

On my friends and my uncle Stan

When will this debt end?

When will this debt end?

Silent night, Holy night!

My money’s gone, all cash withdrawn

I don’t understand where it all went

I spent it all down to my last cent

When will this debt end?

When will this debt end?

Silent night, Holy night!

My bank called, my credit’s stalled

I was told my home foreclosed

It sure feels like I’ve been hosed

When will this debt end?

When will this debt end?

Silent night, Holy night!

The bank guard, took my Mastercard

I think money’s a guessing game

All of these bills will drive me insane

When will this debt end?

When will this debt end?

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The 12 Debts of Christmas Part Four

Joy to the World! The end is near

I’ve bought too much again

and every debt

has swelled beyond control

and they just keep piling on

and they just keep piling on

and each debt after debt keeps piling on

I can’t believe, my bills are overdue

No heat or hydro for me

I’m cold and in the dark

I still have stuff to buy

and they keep on wanting more

and they keep on wanting more

and they all just keep on wanting more

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The 12 Debts of Christmas Part Three

I just spent my next months wages

Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

And this spending feels contagious

Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

I just bought a diamond necklace

Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

I think that my spending’s reckless

Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la.

My credit cards are at their limit

Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

All my gifts should have been hand knit

Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Now at least I have a reason

Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

To be sad this Christmas season

Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

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The 12 Debts of Christmas Part Two

Dashing through the malls

with credit card in hand

buying big and small

I don’t understand

I wish I had more cash

but my credit card I’ll use

I spend it in a flash

Oh, I have the holiday blues

Oh, Jingle Bells my credit smells

and I think I broke the bank

Oh, I wish I was debt free

but I have myself to thank

Oh, Jingle Bells I’m penniless

and I have some bills to pay

I still have some things to buy

what else can I say

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The 12 Debts of Christmas Part One

Oh the weather outside is frightful

But the fire is so delightful

My credit card is maxed out so

Let it Grow! Let it Grow! Let it Grow!

Tis the Season for too much spending

And there’s just no comprehending

How will I pay my bills next year?

Let em Grow! Let em Grow! Let em Grow!

My debt is as deep as the snow

Oh what a terrible fright

And I know it will continue to grow

How will I sleep through the night?

Now the presents have all been given

To the poor house I have been driven

And my credit scores are way down low

Help it Grow! Help it Grow! Help it Grow!

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It always amazed me growing up how much my father knew about money and finances. Even to this day when he is nearing retirement, he knows more than almost every person I’ve met. He is still planning and evaluating his portfolio, always tweaking and always adjusting. He’s continues to make regular contributions to his retirement fund and never misses or is late with paying his bills. He knows how to manage money.

Part of me thinks that my interest in proper money management stems from his passion for it. When I was younger I would continually probe him for information from his past. I asked him how he knew when to change certain funds from low risk to high risk and vise versa. Before the market crash in the late 1980’s he successfully avoided a loss by adjusting his portfolio a few months before everything hit the fan. He did so in early 2000 and again before this most recent downslide. When tens of thousands of people were losing half of their savings and losing their homes he managed to protect all of his portfolio and pay off his mortgage in 15 years.

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