How to Afford the Holiday Season Without Unnecessary Financial Stress

The holiday season is in full swing, but before you head to the mall and start swiping those credit cards, it’s important to establish a reasonable budget and make a plan for keeping your spending in check. We have some tips for you to keep financial planning a priority during the holidays.

Create a Game Plan for Spending

There are two strategies for gift-buying: narrow and deep or wide and shallow. A shopper who buys narrow and deep will spend the majority of their budget on a few people. On the other hand, you could choose to go wide and shallow, which means purchasing inexpensive gifts for a larger number of people. According to U.S. News, the approach you want to avoid is going wide and deep, meaning buying expensive gifts for everyone. If it’s not in your budget, it can be easy to get carried away and overspend.

Start Saving (If You Haven’t Already)

One of the best gifts you can give yourself this year is control of your finances. When you are educated about budgeting and put a plan in place to control your spending, you will feel empowered and confident about working towards financial goals. According to Bustle, it’s a good idea to consider putting about 20 percent of your income toward future financial goals. This can include a variety of savings goals such as your emergency fund, retirement savings accounts, or any other future goals you are saving for like a new car or home.

It’s OK To Treat Yourself...In Moderation

In addition to buying gifts for others, you will likely receive presents in return. One way to decide how to spend a gift or bonus you receive during the holidays is to go by the 90/10 rule. This means to put 90 percent of any extra money toward your financial goals such as your retirement fund, paying off credit card or student loan debt, or anything else you have been saving for. Then, you may spend the remaining 10 percent on something special for yourself.