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My money’s gone, all cash withdrawn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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