By Daniel Rodriguez | Dr. Budgets
It can be easy to get caught up in the spirit of the holiday season… going into credit card debt of course! Kidding aside, it is very easy to overspend during the holidays because we are in a generous mood, and it seems like every company in the world is trying to get us to spend our hard earned money. This is probably why 37% of people said that going into debt is one of the top 5 causes of holiday stress. It doesn’t have to be a stressful time if you put some thought into it ahead of time and set some parameters for yourself. Below are four things you can do to give wisely this holiday season.
Make a List. It’s amazing how powerful it is to make a list before you go gift shopping for the holidays. I recommend you make a list that includes everyone you are buying a gift for and the amount you plan to spend per person, then add it up. If the total amount is too much, then make some adjustments before you start buying presents.
Don’t Use Your Credit Card. If you only use cash or your debit card this holiday season, then it will be very difficult for you to get into credit card debt. Think about it… do you really need to go into debt to buy things for the loved ones in your life? Is there a way for you to be more thoughtful about your giving and at the same time spend less? The people who truly love you probably don’t want you to be stressed out about your credit card debt.
Give What They Want. Give to the loved ones in your life how they want to be given to. You have to know your audience when you are giving. For example, my wife and I took the Love Languages test and ranked “Receiving Gifts” very low, so showering each other with gifts isn’t the best way to express our love for each other. Instead, we are able to show each other we care in more meaningful and affordable ways. Be very mindful of how to express your love and appreciation to the people in your life… sometimes you don’t need to spend a lot of money for them to know you care.
Charitable Giving. If you are giving money to charity, ensure that most of the money you are donating actually goes toward the cause they are supporting (this article can help you). Also, if you can donate and receive a tax deduction as well, even better! My wife and I give the things we don’t need to Goodwill, which gives us a nice little tax deduction every year. Lastly, check to see if you can get your monetary donation matched to double your contribution (sometimes companies have programs where they do this).
These are just a few tips on how to give wisely this holiday season. If you have some other tips, please share them with us in the comments section below. If you know somebody who went into credit card debt because of their holiday spending, and now needs some direction on how to pay it off, put them in touch with us. Happy holidays!