It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year...Until it Isn't....

Tis the season of giving...which also means spending.  

As the turkey leftovers finally get finished up, and the calendar begins to look towards December, the holidays are upon us.  It IS the most wonderful time of the year.  The end of the year gives us time to reflect, spend time with others, and share joy. 

Which can mean spending.

This has been a tough year.  Prices have continued to rise and pay has not seen the increase.  People are struggling with day to day necessities, let alone the additional costs of Christmas.  And truly, there is so much joy that comes from giving a gift that means something to someone.  When you can see that someone else is so happy, it's incredibly worth it.  Right?

It is, but we do want to offer some guidance in gift giving this year.  Both for you, and for those around you.  Shopping smart, and making conscious decisions about what you buy and for what purpose provides two things.  1) You do get to choose joy for the holiday.  2) You can continue to be joyful in January.

Read below for 3 ways you can enjoy this holiday season of giving...and spending.

Tip 1:  Make a List

This is the number one way to ensure you can stay on a budget for your Christmas spending.  Make a list of all the people who you share Christmas joy with.  Sort them into lists and give an amount you CAN afford to spend.

For example:
- Children:  Ask them for something they want, something they need, and something they'd like to have.  A good parent is NOT defined by the number of presents under the tree.  Please do not feel you have to go extremely overbudget for your families.  Meaningful gifts can go a lot way
-Friends:  Find things personalized.  1 gift at a reasonable price that has significant meaning is better than anything overpriced
-Family:  Choose experiences every time.  Nothing can replace memories with family

Tip #2:  Shop Smart

Sales matter.  Cyber Monday is coming up.  Stores are holding sales.  Use them.  Your budget goes farther when you look at prices, compare, and find things that are the lowest price.  The vase you want to give is 50% off!  Awesome!  Great deal.  Buy it, and then stop there.

Because holiday math matters.  There are two ways this works.  1) The vase was $100, and it was over your budget of $50.00.  Since it's on sale, you can get it!  Yay!  You've met your budget, you got a gift someone really wanted, and you don't have to feel like you have to get anything else.  Quantity of gifts do not matter.  Quality does.   2) The vase was $100, your budget was $100, and you got it for $50.00.  Great!  Stop there!  You still got a gift someone wanted, you still are giving joy, and now you have room in your budget for things that come up unexpectedly during the holiday.  DO NOT FEEL BAD that you spent $50.00.  It's ok.  It's not about the cost.

Cyber Monday is right around the corner.  And this weekend continues sales and special deals.  It does take some time, but it's worth finding!

Travel Recommendations for Cyber Monday

Almost every link we recommend has a cyber Monday deal!  We are teachers and get small compensation on qualifying purchases when you use our link, at no cost to you.  

Tip 3:  Give Back

It's time.  Three years after COVID, it's time to go through the things and start moving things out.  There are things you haven't used in years.  There are things you haven't even opened.  It's time to let those things go.  Two ways to do this:

Give them away - there are great sites in your area that are Buy Nothing/Sell Nothing swaps.  Something you may need may save someone else a lot of money.

Sell on Marketplace - Something you have someone may be looking at for full price.  If you can put it out on a digital market place, you get money, and someone else gets to stay on budget.  

Tip 3.5:  Really reflecting on the New Year

Let's really get down to this.  We want you, your friends, and your family to have a great 2024.  We do want you to travel.  We want you to be able to do things that you love and enjoy without feeling as though you put yourself behind in bills and necessitites.  Please don't borrow your income from next year to pay for this December.  EVERYONE is struggling right now.  EVERYONE is having a hard time with money and income.  EVERYONE understands this is the year of less money, but more joy.

That's our end goal.  We want you to find the joy.  We want you to jumpstart January feeling good and ready to take on the world.  We're excited for the adventures to come.

They are dependent on today's decisions.

Make your list, shop smart, and give back this season.  Spread the joy and keep yours.  

It really is the most wonderful time of the year.

Winter Gear Idea List!