Yesterday, I was talking to a client about it being the time to start thinking about Christmas. Then I heard a voice from behind me say, “It is not Thanksgiving”. “You should not be talking about Christmas until after Thanksgiving.”
I turned to him with a smile and said, “You need to start to think about Christmas, the day after Christmas the previous year.” This got me a rather harsh stern look.
For years we have ran up credit card debt buying stuff for Christmas that would be verily remembered by New Years Day. In the last year or two we have had to learn to curb our spending and only buy those things we can afford.
The internet, is full of Christmas buying guides to help you spend your money. Before you start looking at those buying guides you need to first look at how much money you have to spend, not how much credit you can generate on Christmas gifts.
I want you to know the best Christmas gift I ever had was a hamburger, fries and a coke. Why? It was that it was expensive gift. It was from the heart of someone who wanted to help me.
That is what we should do to get maximum the money we have for Christmas.
Review Budget – Before spending money on anything, look at what money you have. What money is going to be spend of Christmas dinner, decorations, and seasonal outings.
Plan Your Spending – With all the flash and media hype you will be tempted to buy things that are not in your budget.
Help Others – Remember those who don’t have all that you have. After all that is true meaning of the Christmas. Donate to the Food Bank, or help at the local Rescue Mission. Leave a $25 gift card in the mailbox of a family you know is struggling.
