August 22, 2025

Hey Everybody!  

The holiday season is approaching, and many are beginning to think about decorations, gifts, food, and everything that goes with a wonderful holiday season!  

As we approach this holiday season, have you started thinking about how you will manage your finances to support your holiday goals?  

May I make a suggestion? Get a 3-month start!  

Be Proactive! Not Reactive!

Don’t just put it on a credit card and deal with it later...nope...nope...nope! 

Get a Plan~

First things first! You will want to get an idea of the total dollar amount you will spend. An Excel spreadsheet can work wonders! List the names of your loved ones and what you want to give. Give it a dollar amount. This way, you get an accurate picture of how much your gift-giving will really cost. Don’t forget to include decorations, wrapping paper, and that special dish everyone expects you to bring.   

Begin!~

Begin putting away money in a separate account or envelope. Don’t touch it! It already has a purpose!

Divide the total amount you need by the number of weeks you have to achieve your goal. If this amount is acceptable...start putting it away! 

Execute Your Plan~

Start now looking for sales on those items. Watch the prices so you know when an actual “sale” is happening. 

Keep track of your spending on that spreadsheet you created earlier.  

Ideas of Gifts~

There are many ways to show the people you love during this season without breaking your budget. Here are a few for consideration:

• Set a dollar amount for adults, i.e., $15. Then get creative with finding presents.  

• Create a list for everyone to add their top five wish list items. This way, you won’t have to hope they like it!  

• Have a family/friends Secret Santa. Elfster is a Secret Santa organizer program that can help you set it up. While I’m sure there are others, I participated in Secret Santa using Elfster; it was a great way to choose gifts from the list. Yes, they had a $15 max amount.  

• Give gifts of time: Pet watching service, babysitting service, you get the picture.

• Choose a cause and volunteer as a group! Get t-shirts and make it fun! 

• Small personalized gifts can be inexpensive and will mean so much more!  

Enjoy Success!~

Set yourself up for success and really enjoy the holiday season without going or staying in debt!

Happy Holidays Everybody!  

I know it’s early, but I’m excited for you!!!