Say No to the Pressure of Holiday Shopping

Many Americans think peer pressure only affects children but it affects adults too. Child peer pressure is more obvious but adult peer pressure can be subtle. Many adults may not even realize they have been victims of peer pressure. Many adults find themselves pressured into a lifestyle that requires them to give their family more and buy things they can’t really afford. This behavior results in financial disaster.

Many adults have succumbed to financial peer pressure from family, co-workers, friends and their children especially during the holidays that can wreak havoc on their lives and cause them to ruin their credit, go into debt, spend more than they earn and even result in filing for bankruptcy.

Statistics show that 70% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck and 96% of Americans retire or die broke. Avoid trying to keep up with everyone else, stop trying to compete with others and don’t be jealous or envious of someone else’s success or financial prosperity.

The saying birds of a feather flock together is true. The people you surround yourself with are a reflection of you. When you surround yourself with people who succumb to peer pressure, live a materialistic lifestyle, seek acceptance or approval and lack self-esteem you are acting in a weak state of mind. This type of behavior is toxic and leads to unhappiness, anxiety, depression, health issues and negative financial habits. Here are 15 ways to deal with adult peer pressure regarding shopping during the holiday season.

Say No

Learn how to say no. Don’t buy gifts if you can’t afford it. Explain that buying gifts is not in your budget right now. 

Examine

Look at the character of the person who is pressuring you and notice if their finances are out of whack, or if they are unhappy with their life – misery loves company.

Recognize

Recognize the peer pressure in your family, co-workers and social circles.

Firm. Be firm in your decisions about not buying gifts or set a spending limit and stick to it.

Defend. Don’t feel like you have to explain, justify or defend your position regarding buying gifts, you don’t.

Pressure

Tell those pressuring you to buy gifts that you would appreciate it if they could be supportive and accept the decisions you make in your life.

Give the gift of time

Offer to walk a friend, neighbor or relative’s dog; watch their dog when they are on vacation, pick up their mail or perform errands. You can also do volunteer work and take your family or friends. 

Give a Service

Offer to fix something in someone’s home or if you are good at putting things together, put together a stand or computer.  If you know how to repair a car offer to give a free oil change, put air in tires or change brakes. You can also offer to babysit, clean their garage or home.

Decorations

Make your own decorations or shop online to find inexpensive decorations. Buy plastic flowers instead of fresh flowers that can be reused. Pack and store decorations carefully to reuse next year. Reuse decorations from the previous year.

Sew

If you sew you can make clothes and give as gifts. If you know how to quilt or crochet you can make pillows, quilts, blankets, sweaters, socks and more and give as gifts.

ARTS AND CRAFTS

If you know how to make jewelry you can away give as gifts. Make your own. You can make lots of stuff such as: gloves, pottery, candles, candle holders and give as gifts.

BUYING GIFTS

Visit the dollar store to look for children's gifts. If you have to buy gifts for several family members suggest a "Secret Santa" so only one person has to buy a gift for one person and set a limit on the amount spent.

15 Ways to Save Money on Last Minute Christmas Gifts

                                     

Most Americans accumulate the greatest amount of debt during the December holiday season. It’s great to give but not at the cost of going outside your budget buying items you can’t afford. No one said to go into debt to give. You can give gifts from the heart not your wallet. The holidays should be filled with joy and laughter not anxiety, pressure or guilty about spending money during the holidays.

If you don't have the money to buy gifts, be honest and tell the persons who are expecting gifts just that. If you have a small amount of buy to buy gifts, buy what you can and don't use your credit card.  Pay for items in cash only if it won’t reduce the amount of money you will need to pay for monthly bills in December 2015 or January 2016.

Sometimes the Christmas holiday sneaks up on us due to work and family obligations. However, some people love doing last minute Christmas shopping. If you're that type, you must research your delivery options. Most businesses offer shipping solutions for last minute Christmas gifts.

When doing last minute Christmas shopping you have multiple options: shop online, shop at vendors, shop at retailers or specialty shops. Online shopping is a last minute shopper’s lifesaver.  Here are 15 ways to save money on last minute Christmas gifts. Happy Holidays!

Reuse

• Go through your house to find any items that are new or gifts you received but haven’t used and regift them.
• Go through your house to find items still in good condition that could be passed off as new.
• Look through your house to find gift cards that you have not used and that have not expired and give as gifts.

Stores

• Avoid department stores where selection is limited.  Visit local vendors, you can probably negotiate a good deal on the same items you will find in the department store.
• Negotiate. Be willing to negotiate. Take cash instead of credit cards especially when negotiating for a cheaper price.
• Buy gift certificates or ecertificates from sites like giftcertificates.com.
• Buy tickets to a sporting event, concert, play, etc.
• Buy a magazine subscription, book or subscription to Kindle or Nook.
• Buy small gifts such as a travel clock, hooded sweatshirt, small bowls or vintage trinkets, throw fleece blanket, slippers, gloves, shirt, mobile Printer, iPhone Case, Cell Phone Texting Gloves, designer scented candles, etc.
• Visit the dollar store to find small gifts for children.
• Use last minute shipping services such as UPS and FedEx. Some companies waive shipping and handling fees during the holiday season.

DIY

• Make your own gifts using arts and crafts or sew clothing or quilts and give as gifts.
• Think of creative gifts to give that you can make yourself.

10 Tips for Holiday Shopping

Each year Americans accumulate the largest amount of debt during the holiday season. If you don't have money to buy holidays gifts be honest with yourself, don’t go into debt to please someone else. January and February have the highest number of bankruptcies and divorces filed.

Christmas is not about how much money you spend or about giving gifts, it is about celebrating the birth of Christ and spending time with family and friends. Most times people buy holiday gifts for someone they don’t like or buy gifts that are returned. Don’t go into debt again. If you spent money you don’t have, take the gifts back to the store and save yourself the heartache of getting a big credit card bill in January. Here are 10 tips for holiday shopping.

1. Buy gifts during store sales. You can save anywhere from 20-70% off the original price.
2. Visit local vendors, you can probably haggle to good a good deal on the same items you find in the department store.
3. If you are good with arts and craft, think of creative gifts to give that you can make yourself.
4. Visit the dollar store to look for children's gifts.
5. If you have to buy gifts for several family members suggest a "Secret Santa" so only one person has to buy a gift for one person and set a limit on the amount spent.
6. Avoid buying gifts on Christmas Eve or the day before Christmas Eve. Selection is limited and lines at the register are longer. Out of desperation you may make bad choices and spend more spend than you have to.
7. Shop online, some companies waive shipping and handling fees during the holiday season.
8. Spend less money on gifts this year than you did the previous year.
9. If you have money after the holiday season and have paid all of your bills, buy gifts the day after Christmas. Department stores have great deals the day after Christmas and you may even get better deals than those offered during the Black Friday sales.
10. Make getting out of debt one of your new year's resolutions.

Think Twice Before Shopping This Holiday Season

Most Americans spend the greatest amount of money and go into debt during the December holiday season. This year get a jumpstart on holiday shopping and start shopping in October. When shopping for gifts during the holidays, many shoppers are filled with anxiety, pressure or guilt about spending money during the holidays.

If you don't have the money to buy gifts be honest with yourself first, then with your family and friends. The holidays about not about spending money, they are about spending time with family and friends. If you have a small amount of buy to buy gifts buy what you can and don't use your credit card to buy gifts unless you have the money to pay the debt off in two or three months.

Here are some reasons why you shouldn't spend money this holiday: 1) you owe more than $5,000 in debt, 2) you are not a homeowner, 3) you do not have a savings account, 4) you do not have a retirement account or have a low balance, 5) you owe more on your home or car than what it is worth, 6) you have bad credit, 7) you are considering filing for bankruptcy or foreclosure, 8) you live with your parents.

Here are 5 ways to help you save money during holiday shopping.
1. Visit the local dollar store to find gifts for children.

2. Visit local vendors, you can probably negotiate a good deal on the same items you find in the department stores.

3. Think of creative gifts to give that you can make yourself.

4. If you have to buy gifts for several family members try doing a "secret Santa" or "grab bag" so only one family member has to buy a gift for one family member and set a limit on the amount spent. That way everyone gets a gift and you don't have to worry about buying several gifts.

5. Shop online, some companies waive shipping and handling fees during the holiday season.

7 Quick Holiday Shopping Tips

Americans accumulate the largest amount of debt during the holiday season. If you don't have the cash to buy gifts be honest with yourself. Admitting that you have a problem living above your means is the first step to addressing the problem and overcoming it.

Being in debt is no fun and makes you feel lousy. If you go into debt every year during the holidays – now is the time to stop. Repeating the same mistake over and over again and expecting a different result is defined by Webster's dictionary as "insanity".

Don't let the media, advertisements or other make you feel guilty for not buying a gift or for buying an inexpensive gift. If you are low on cash and can't afford to guy gifts this holiday season here are some 7 quick tips to help you save money.

1. Buy Christmas gifts during store sales.

2. Visit local vendors, you can probably haggle to good a good deal on the same items you find in the department store.

3. If you are good with arts & craft, think of creative gifts to give that you can make yourself.

4. Visit the dollar store to look for children's gifts.

5. If you have to buy gifts for several family members suggest a "Secret Santa" or exchange names so only one person has to buy a gift for one person and set a limit on the amount spent. Don't buy gifts on Christmas Eve or the day before Christmas Eve. Selection is limited and lines at the register are longer.

6. Shop online, some companies waive shipping and handling fees during the holiday season.

7. Don't wait until the last minute. Out of desperation you may make bad choices and spend more spend than you have to.

Think Before You Spend

The holiday season has arrived and everyone is getting ready to spend money. Department stores are luring consumers to the stores with early hour sales. Don't get caught up in the holiday shopping frenzy. Think before you spend. If you don't have the cash don't flash – don't use your credit card to buy holiday gifts.

If you have the money after the holiday season and have paid all of your bills and creditors, buy gifts the day after Christmas. Department stores have great deals the day after Christmas and you may even get better deals than those offered during the Black Friday sales.

Many people have lost sight of what the holidays are all about. The holidays are not about buying or getting gifts - it is about spending time with your family and being thankful for what you have – not for what you don't have.

January and February have the highest number of bankruptcies and divorces and finances are one of the main reasons for divorce. Ask yourself these questions before you start shopping for gifts this holiday season.

1. Do have to charge your Christmas or holiday gifts this year?

2. Did it take you 6 months or more to pay off your debts from Christmas or holiday shopping last year?

3. Did you buy too many expensive gifts or more than you should have?

4. Are you buying expensive gifts to impress someone or to "keep up with the Jones"?

5. Are you ashamed that if you buy a gift that costs $20 people will think you are cheap, poor or broke?

6. Why do you feel the need to spend money that you don't have?

7. Will buying gifts this holiday season help or hurt your financial situation?

8. Do you make your own choices to spend money or do you let others influence you, i.e. media, friends, relatives, your children, spouse, advertisements, etc.?

7 Tips to Help Parents During the Holidays

It's the thought that counts - not how much you spend. Many people have lost site of what the holidays are all about. The holidays are about spending time with your family and friends, reflecting on the past year, and thinking about things you would like to change in the New Year. Here are 7 tips on how to navigate your finances during the holidays.

1. Lower expectations. Many times children's expectations for holiday gifts are obtained from friends, classmates or from watching television. Be realistic - let your children know your financial situation and their price limit for holidays gifts. If they can only get one big gift or one toy let them know as soon as possible. Teach your children that receiving several gifts doesn't mean a better holiday experience; spending time with family is more important than the number of gifts they receive. If your children still believe in Santa, buy several small gifts from the dollar store (gifts that actually cost a dollar). That way they will still believe in Santa and save you money.

2. Be Strong. Don't give in to "puppy dog eyes", whining or complaining from your children. Stay firm with your decision about gifts for the holidays. Giving in to your children sets unrealistic expectations and does not prepare them for the disappointments that occur in the real world.

3. Set a spending limit. Set a spending limit for your holiday shopping including groceries, gifts, etc. This will reduce your chances of going into debt and relieve the stress of having to buying things that are not in your budget. Don't go into debt trying to buy gifts for your children. Do they really need a new desktop or laptop or can they use the one they have until next year.

4. Volunteer. If you children refuse to accept that they cannot get the gifts they want for the holidays take them to a shelter or sign them up to volunteer to help the homeless or sick children to help them change their perspective about life and what's really important. Other children and families have less than they do and they should be appreciative of whatever they have.

5. Follow Traditions. If you family has inexpensive traditions follow them this year to save money such as baking cookies, donating used toys, or going through the neighborhood caroling. This will get your children in the holiday spirit, keep them active and distract them from spending time thinking about all the gifts they want for the holidays.

6. Unexpected Gifts. If you children decide to give gifts to their babysitter, teachers or new friends - don't be alarmed. Be creative and bake deserts or make gifts if you are good with arts and crafts.

7. Consult with your ex. Talk with your ex-spouse to make sure your children are not asking for the same gifts and are not trying to use guilt and as a way to get more gifts from both parents because you are divorced.

Christmas Wasn’t The Same This Year

Due to the recession, increasing food prices, previous increase in gas prices, continuing company layoffs, 4.39 million unemployed, 46 million uninsured and thousands more are homeless or at risk of experiencing a financial crisis many American cut back. Today I am happy to know that someone finally woke up. Some Americans actually cut back their Christmas shopping and faced reality. Some Americans were smart this year and didn’t spend money they didn’t have on Christmas gifts.

According to SpendingPulse, the 2008 Christmas shopping season was the worst it has been in decades. The shopping season was tracked from the day after Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve. The Christmas shopping season accounts for approximately 40-50% of retailer’s annual revenue. Sales at specialty clothing stores such as Gap and Old Navy fell 19.7%. Sales at electronics stores such as Best Buy fell 26.7%. Sales at high end department stores, jewelry stores and restaurants fell 34.5%. Online sales fell 2.3%.

This is the start of a new day. If you are feeling the sting of the recession you need to make a plan for how to survive in 2009. Experts indicate that the recession will continue through 2009 and possibly into 2010 so you need to make sure that you are able to survive and reduce your chances of losing your home to foreclosure, filing bankruptcy, having repossession or some other financial crisis. Make your plan today before it’s too late.

6 Holiday Savings Tips

Most Americans spend the greatest amount of money during the December holiday season. The holidays should not be filled with anxiety, pressure or guilt about spending money during the holidays. If you don't have the money to buy gifts be honest. If you have a small amount of buy to buy gifts buy what you can and don't use your credit card to buy gifts unless you have the money to pay the debt off in two or three months. Here are 6 tips to help you save money during holiday shopping.

1. Buy Christmas or holidays gifts during store sales in October or November.
2. Visit local vendors, you can probably negotiate a good deal on the same items you find in the department stores.
3. Think of creative gifts to give that you can make yourself.
4. Visit the local dollar store to find gifts for children.
5. If you have to buy gifts for several family members try doing a "secret Santa" or "grab bag" so only one family member has to buy a gift for one family member and set a limit on the amount spent. That way everyone gets a gift and you don't have to worry about buying several gifts.
6. Shop online, some companies waive shipping and handling fees during the holiday season.

11 Tips to Cut Holiday Shopping Costs

Most Americans accumulate the greatest amount of debt during the December holiday season. The holidays should be filled with joy and laughter not anxiety, pressure or guilty about spending money during the holidays.

If you don't have the money to buy gifts be honest and tell the persons who are expecting gifts just that. If you have a small amount of buy to buy gifts buy what you can and don't use your credit card to buy gifts unless you have the money to pay the debt off in two or three months. Here are 11 tips to help you save money during holiday shopping.

1. Don't buy gifts on Christmas eve or the day before Christmas eve. Selection is limited and lines at the register are longer.
2. Buy Christmas or holidays gifts during store sales in October or November.
3. Spend less money on gifts this year than you did the previous year.
4. Visit local vendors, you can probably negotiate a good deal on the same items you will find in the department store.
5. Think of creative gifts to give that you can make yourself.
6. Visit the local dollar store to find gifts for children.
7. Get a part-time job until Christmas arrives if need money to buy gifts (this will prevent you from using that credit card).
8. Buy gifts throughout the year so you don't feel overwhelmed with buying all of your Christmas or holiday gifts at once.
9. If you have to buy gifts for several family members try doing a "secret Santa" or "grab bag" so only one family member has to buy a gift for one family member and set a limit on the amount spent. That way everyone gets a gift and you don't have to worry about buying several gifts.
10. Shop online, some companies waive shipping and handling fees during the holiday season.
11. Make getting out of debt one of your new year's resolutions.

Copyright © 2007 H.E. Freeman Enterprises

Christmas Debt Blues

Hopefully you didn't go overboard and get into debt when shopping for Christmas gifts this year. But if you did, no need to fret. Here are 6 simple steps to help you eliminate that debt.

1. Return any unopened items you purchased for yourself.
2. If you received a gift you don't want donate to charity and write it off on your taxes for 2007 or return the item to the store and use the money you get back to pay towards your debt.
3. Write a list of your monthly expenses and find ways to reduce them, i.e. reduce your cell phone plan, cancel some unwatched premium cable channels, bring your lunch to work, rent movies from netflix instead of going to the movies, etc.
4. Use the extra money obtained from reducing your expenses to pay down debt.
5. Be conscious of how your spend your money during 2007.
6. Buy Christmas gifts throughout the year when items are on sale instead of waiting until December 2007. That way you will save money and won't feel the sting of buying many gifts at one time.
7. Bonus Tip: Buy my book, How to Get Out of Debt: Get an "A" Credit Rating For Free, ISBN 1933949430, as a gift to yourself for less than $20. My book will teach you how to reduce expenses, save money, create a spending plan and eliminate debt. You can purchase it today at Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com, Booksamillion.com, and Waldenbooks.com.

Good luck to you in 2007 and I wish you a prosperous New Year!

Holiday Spending

The holidays are approaching and everyone is getting ready to spend money. Before you start your Christmas shopping check your finances and check your spending history. Ask yourself these questions.

1. Did you have to charge your Christmas gifts last year or will you have to charge your Christmas gifts this year?
2. Did it take you at least 6 months to pay off your debts from Christmas shopping last year?
3. Did you buy too many expensive gifts or more than you should have?
4. Are you ashamed that if you buy a gift that costs $20 people will think you are cheap or are poor or broke?
5. Well, don't. You are not cheap, everyone doesn't have Donald Trump money and people should understand that. It really is the thought that counts and if someone gets upset because you only spent $20 on a gift, that is their problem not yours. Many people have lost site of what the holidays are all about. It is not about giving a gift, it is about spending time with your family, being thankful, reflecting on the past year, and thinking about things you would like to change in the New Year.

This year start thinking about changing your spending habits. If you start saving this year you won't have to go into debt next year when doing your Christmas shopping.

Here are some tips to save on your Christmas shopping.

1. Buy Christmas gifts during store sales.
2. Spend less money on gifts this year than you did last year.
3. Check out local vendors, you can probably haggle to good a good deal on the same items you find in the department store.
4. Think of creative gifts to give that you can make yourself.
5. If you have to buy children's gifts check out your local dollar store.
6. If you really want to buy gifts but don't have the money get a part-time job until Christmas arrives to make extra money so you don't go into debt.
7. Starting next year buy your gifts throughout the year so you don't feel overwhelmed with buying all of your Christmas gifts at one time.
8. If you have to buy gifts for several members of your family suggest exchanging gifts so only one person has to buy a gift for one person and set a limit on the amount spent. That way everyone gets a gift and you are not burdened with buying several gifts.
9. Make getting out of debt one of your new year's resolutions.
   

For more tips and information on how to get out of debt you can buy my book, How to Get Out of Debt: Get an "A" Credit Rating For Free Using the System I've Used Successfully With Thousands of Clients at www.hefreemanenteprises.com.