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.