Cost Effective Holiday Season

 No matter your beliefs, religion, family tradition, or current COVID lockdown restrictions, this season can always add up quickly. I am convinced that I chose the WORST possible time to overhaul my finances. I'll be grateful in a few months when my frugality through this season will help me, but until then I feel so uncomfortable. Between needing a cosigner for my apartment, owing money to my MOTHER, and trying not to use credit for any purchases, I feel like a complete failure. 

However, if I put all of my privileged first world problems aside, there is really a simple solution to handling the holiday season: being THOUGHTFUL and making decisions with INTENTION. I became so accustomed to throwing money at unnecessarily expensive gifts - not for the other person- but for my own belief that I could afford those. Yes- maybe in that one second when my card read as "approved", but NOT when the bill came. So, this year, I am trying something different. Here are some tips: 

1. Think before doing anything else. If you ask someone what they'd like, as hard as it may be, let them know where you're at. Here's how I did it: "Hi Sister, I wanted to call to see what I could get you for Christmas. This year is a little bit tight for me, so if you'd like, I can surprise you with something or get you something small?". To me, this is better than them asking for something and then having to tell them it's not going to happen. I also love being creative, so the "surprise" gift is always nice because these can be super thoughtful. For example - this year, for my mom, who's in a new relationship and struggles with self-assurance and confidence from time to time, I bought this cute little jar on Amazon that says "notes of love" on the front and I handwrote 100 affirmations on little sheets of paper that she can pull out when she's feeling not at 100%. I handwrote some directions on a tag, attached it to the jar, added a lavender sachet to the jar ( I had all of these supplies from my candle making fail early on in the pandemic) and VOILA. A gift that I think is extremely thoughtful, was a good amount of work, but cost me a total of $17. OK.... we're on to something. Also - if people put down your thoughtful gifts, they probably don't deserve to receive them. 

2. Writing letters. I am writing cards (all of the old christmas cards in my house) to my immediate family telling them how much I love and miss them and 5 things about them that I really admire. Sometimes, time and thoughtful words are our most valuable asset to share. 

3. AVOIDING ALL ONLINE SALES. Ok- for real this one is very difficult. No deal is good enough to sacrifice your financially free future coming any later than it has to. Say it to yourself out loud 3 times. 

4. This may sound really dumb, but I don't really care. Medidate, spend time outside and do all of the free things you can think of. Read a book, write, sing, dance, call all of your friends and annoy them on facetime, have a virtual happy hour every day (if that is your jam), binge netflix (as long as you have unlimited internet) and stay in your jammies all day. 


This too shall pass. You are not alone. Happy Holidays. Save your money ;)


XOXO 

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