Day 3 - Stick to Your Budget
It happens every year. No matter what my holiday budget is, I spend more than I should. The perfect gift that costs a little more. That wonderful decoration that I just have to buy. The great sweater that I "need" for the office party. The impulse buy that seems like a good idea at the time. A little over budget here and a little more money there, and suddenly I'm 25% over budget.
I know I'm spending money I don't have, but it's the holidays, right? It will make me or someone I love happier. No problem. At least, until the bills come and I'm short of cash in January.
The problem is, I know what I'm doing in December and the consequences I will suffer in January. In the back of my mind I know I'm spending too much, but I do it anyway. I rationalize it by thinking everyone does it to some degree, but I still feel guilty. Regardless of how much money I have, I always spend a little more than I should during the holidays and it adds to my holiday stress level.
Unfortunately, spending the extra money really doesn't make the holidays any brighter. The people around me aren't happier because I'm wearing an expensive sweater, or have nicer décor in my home, or over-spent on their gift. They are happy because they are celebrating the holiday with me. It's not where we are together or what we eat or what they get from me, it's that we are connecting and spending time together.
This holiday season I'm setting a budget and sticking to it … or at least I'm going to try harder to stick to it. This year I won't have to stress over how much I'm spending or be afraid of the consequences in January. Who knows, I may even enjoy the holidays more.
I know I'm spending money I don't have, but it's the holidays, right? It will make me or someone I love happier. No problem. At least, until the bills come and I'm short of cash in January.
The problem is, I know what I'm doing in December and the consequences I will suffer in January. In the back of my mind I know I'm spending too much, but I do it anyway. I rationalize it by thinking everyone does it to some degree, but I still feel guilty. Regardless of how much money I have, I always spend a little more than I should during the holidays and it adds to my holiday stress level.
Unfortunately, spending the extra money really doesn't make the holidays any brighter. The people around me aren't happier because I'm wearing an expensive sweater, or have nicer décor in my home, or over-spent on their gift. They are happy because they are celebrating the holiday with me. It's not where we are together or what we eat or what they get from me, it's that we are connecting and spending time together.
This holiday season I'm setting a budget and sticking to it … or at least I'm going to try harder to stick to it. This year I won't have to stress over how much I'm spending or be afraid of the consequences in January. Who knows, I may even enjoy the holidays more.
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