Old Fashioned Christmas: More for Less

Budget. Maybe hearing that word makes you feel restricted, stuck, joy-less, like you can never go anywhere or do anything because you are stuck using a budget. John C. Maxwell said, “A budget is telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it went.”

It may sound like an old-fashioned idea, but having boundaries and self-imposed restrictions is one of the best ways to get focused on personal goals and encourage vigilance in seeing them turn into reality. It is responsible, and instead of believing the myth that a budget will chase all our fun away, it can end up enhancing our lives over and over and over again.

Not to mention the influence we have over the little eyes watching every move we make- KIDS! GRANDKIDS!- they see it all and we owe it to their futures to model good habits. This is where we take a break and vow to do better for ourselves now and the generations to come. You can do it! Dave Ramsey says it best, “If you live like no one else now, later you can live and give like no one else.”

Of course, we have to chat about how our Christmas spending and giving needs to be part of the budget too. Many people live by a budget all year long, but when it comes to Christmas, all bets are off. It doesn't have to be that way in order to bless those we love. And, it doesn't have to mean, “going without as much” but it instead means, “planning for what we want”.

So, to complement a household budget, consider what you typically spend at Christmas time. Include the gifts to purchase, donations to charities, the decorations, the food, the parties, and add it all up. Divide by 12 and then see if you can find a place for that amount in your monthly budget. Then, when Christmas season rolls around, you can let go of any repressed guilt for spending so much! And, that feels good. This is one old fashioned idea that deserves to find its place again in everyday life.

How about one more tip to save more? MerryRewards! It’s our rewards program where you can earn points for every dollar you spend. It’s quick and easy to sign up and start saving for your future purchases today.