Did you overspend on Black Friday and Cyber Monday? All is not lost. You can still take actions to avoid the credit card shock in January.
Gifts
Evaluate the remaining gifts on your list.
- Do you really need to buy a gift for your co-worker or neighbor?
- Perhaps you could give them a plate of homemade cookies
Be creative with your gift giving.
- Give “gift certificates” for gifts of time.
- To your teenage daughter to spend an entire day with her where she gets to choose what you do.
- To your neighbor with young children to babysit for an afternoon.
- To your elderly neighbor to provide grocery shopping services.
- Make and give cookies or soups in a jar. Here’s a sample: http://allrecipes.com/recipes/holidays-and-events/christmas/food-gifts/cookie-mix-in-a-jar/
Holiday parties
- Do you really need to have that big party? Maybe a smaller, intimate pot luck with games or Christmas movies after would be an alternative.
- If you have a party you must attend and feel obligated to bring a gift, cookies or soups in a jar is a great gift. Or offer to help the host or hostess clean up after the party.
For more saving ideas, see our prior article on Christmas saving strategies.
Judith Ackland has more than 26 years of experience in accountancy and financial planning, including seventeen years as a CFO of a diverse business. She started Crystal Financial in 2010 to help a wide array of individuals, families, and business owners better understand their finances and how good financial management could help them achieve their goals. Judith has an MA in Professional Accountancy from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln as well as a Certified Public Accountant Certificate and a Certified Financial Planner designation.
