Helpful steps to prepare for the holidays

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The holidays are here! Check out our new Santa in lights. I love this time of the year! Despite how joyous it is, it can also be stressful, especially from a financial perspective. It’s important that you start prepping in advance. Preparation will help to decrease anxiety and stress and impulse spending. It can be difficult to maintain your regular expenses while trying to take on the expenses aligned to this time of the year. It’s important to factor in spending for gifts (family, friends, bosses, assistants, and coworkers), decorations, charities, family gatherings, and yourself as most people pick up something for themselves. Guess what, if it is in the budget, go for it! Refer to this blog for more tips: Easy Ways to Save for the Holidays - IT'$ MY MONEY™

If you decide to travel this year, there are ways you can save on the cost.

First, plan out your travel. Try going local, like road trips or use airline miles and cash back from your credit cards. For gifts, go the sentimental route. Here are some ideas you can use for your loved ones. But like many, you may be celebrating virtually this year.

Consider budgeting the cost of shipping gifts, food service, good WiFi connection, or a virtual platform subscription if needed. You can also redirect any unspent or saved money toward debt or your savings. Remember you can use cash back or reward points to help cover costs without racking up debt! Another good hack is unused gift cards. This can help with buying gifts as well. Maybe you have dollars left on several cards, I know I did last year,and that can pay for stocking stuffers, decorations or small gifts.

When doing holiday activities with your family, try doing breakfast or brunch instead of dinners as this will help to reduce expenses. You can also watch for sales and use coupons. If you’re struggling with your finances as we head into the holiday season, start budgeting now! Here is a free budgeting sheet to help. Qube is also a good electronic budgeting envelope tool to help you stay within budget. Have an envelope for each spending category, such as decorations, food, and gifts. Be specific for the gifts, like: hubby, mom, child 1, child, 1, boss, co-worker, etc...

Don’t be afraid to set spending boundaries with friends and family during the holidays. You own your money and your budget. Remember to plan, budget, and be realistic. This will help you prevent a New Year debt disaster. It allows you to not overspend. Start now, plan, budget, and don’t let anyone put pressure on you to overspend! 

Need a way to earn more money for the holiday, grab your M.B.A (Mastering Being and Affiliate) course and get started right after you finish it. Grab it here.

Here are a couple of our trees.