There are a variety of useful budget tips to help to keep the holidays happy and less stressful. Photo courtesy of Metro Editorial Services (MS)
By Metro Editorial Services (MS)
“No one is so poor that he can’t give a smile, nor so rich that he doesn’t need it.” — Anonymous
Holidays are exciting — family visits and special once-a-year meals, celebrating traditions together with loved ones and watching the wonder reflected on children’s faces.
But the holidays also can be stressful, especially when budgets are stretched. Here are some easy tips to help you keep your holiday finances on track and the true spirit of the season in mind.
• Create a holiday budget and stick to it. Decide ahead of time how much you are willing and able to spend on gifts.
• Give the gift of yourself. Kids can create coupons for services such as helping grandmother in the kitchen, featuring homework help to siblings, or baby-sitting little brothers and sisters for an hour.
• Make gifts with things you already have at home. Transform baby food jars, cans, paper bags, orphaned socks and other household items into eco-friendly presents.
• “Regifting” — giving someone else a gift you have received — is fine under some circumstances. However, be sure to give only new, unopened items in excellent condition and items you believe the recipient will appreciate. If you do re-gift, be sure to repackage the item in new wrapping paper or gift bag.
• Make Christmas cookies, candies — or tamales — and wrap them up on a pretty holiday plate with a bow.
• Emphasize “giving” over buying. Don’t just donate toys to a local organization; take your children to a volunteer event so they can see that while presents are fun, sharing their time is truly priceless.
• Don’t give in to the temptation to buy your kids everything they request.
“Our kids can tell us all about the ‘latest’ and the ‘hottest’ in the marketplace. They are steeped in advertising. Yet most kids really know very little about handling money,” said Luis Cachúa, director of multicultural markets, Northwestern Mutual. “In fact, one of the greatest gifts you can give your children is teaching them how to be financially responsible adults.”
So, when you are tempted to blow your budget, remember the true meaning of the holidays — family and togetherness.