It’s supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year – but why does holiday shopping always tempt us to throw our budgets out the window? Whether you’ve been tempted by last-minute upgrades or pressured to match someone else’s extravagance, I’ve got you covered. In today’s episode, we’ll tackle how to stay financially sane in these last few days before Christmas and avoid holiday overspending, too. Sound like something you need? Well then, let’s get started.
Links for This Episode
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Podcast Episode Recommendations
- #38: 1 Simple Way to Save on Christmas Gifts All Year Long
- #37: How to Make the Last 31 Days Successful
- #9: How to Keep Your Friends and Your Budget, Too
- #1: The Truth About What Financial Freedom Actually Means to Me
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Holiday Gifting: How to Avoid Holiday Overspending
Well hey there and welcome back to the Financial Fix Up Podcast. I’m your host, Sarah Brumley, and I’ve got to ask – how’s your holiday shopping going?
If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably done one of two things by now. Either:
- You’ve finished shopping (yay, you!), but you’re still tempted to buy “just one more thing” every time you’re out in the holiday madness. People-watching is fun this time of year, right? OR…
- You haven’t even started shopping and are debating whether to just go online, buy everything in one big shopping spree, and pay for express shipping. Budget? What budget?
Sound familiar? I’ve been in both camps, and let me tell you, neither one is great for the finances. But not to worry – I’ve got a few reminders today that I think can help us keep our spending in check while still feeling good about our holiday gifting.
Reminder #1: Don’t Undo Your Hard Work
Okay, first things first let’s start with a tough-love reminder: You’ve worked really hard this year to get your finances on track. Maybe you’ve been chipping away at debt, sticking to a budget, or just trying to make ends meet. Whatever your situation, the last thing you want is to throw all that effort out the window over a few holiday splurges.
Trust me, I get it – it’s SO tempting to say, “I’ll just spend a little more now and deal with it later.” But if you give up on your financial goals now, what’s that saying about all of the progress you’ve made? And do you really want to start over at square one in January?
Instead, take a moment to pause and look back at your goals. Remind yourself why you started this journey in the first place. I promise, those extra holiday expenses won’t be worth the stress of trying to clean up the mess later.
Reminder #2: Your Gift-Giving Doesn’t Define You
My second reminder for you is that your gift-giving doesn’t define you. Where are my people pleasers? And this really comes down to that pressure that comes with giving “the perfect gift” or the gift that measures up to someone elses.
We had this one couple in our lives for a lot of years that always gave super extravagant gifts that always made ours always feel tiny in comparison. For years, it made me feel like we weren’t doing enough, so we’d stretch our budget just to keep up – and regret it later.
Here’s what I’ve learned: your worth has nothing to do with the price tag of the gift you give. Seriously. So, before you buy something or another something, ask yourself two questions:
- Is this gift thoughtful – as in Did I choose something I know they’ll appreciate or that made me think of them?
- Is this gift within my budget?
If you can answer yes to both of those, then you’ve done enough. Let go of the pressure to match someone else’s spending. If they can’t see the love and thought you put into your gift, that’s their problem – not yours.
Reminder #3: It’s Okay to Be in a Different Life Stage
Okay, my final reminder is that it’s okay to be in a different life stage. And I think this applies mainly to family dynamics, because, let’s be real, the holidays can bring up all kinds of feelings about money and expectations and those are general centered around family. Of course, it could be friends, too, so apply this wherever it’s necessary for you.
I have two sisters and a brother and we’ve all been in totally different financial situations over the years. Some years, one of us can afford to go big on gifts, while another is barely scraping by. You know what, though? It’s never mattered.
What we’ve learned is that the holidays aren’t about evening the score or making sure everything is “fair”. It’s about showing up when you can, being together, and doing what works for you. If I have extra money to spend on a big gift for one of my siblings, I do that because I WANT to – not because I expect something equally extravagant in return. And if I’m on a tight budget, I stick to what I can afford, guilt-free.
And…each and every year…whether the gifts are small or large, expensive or inexpensive, handmade or store bought, each person walks away feeling loved. Isn’t that how it should be?
So, as you stand in the store aisle or look at your cart on Amazon, take a moment to remember what really matters before reconsidering the choices you are about to make. Now’s your chance to avoid holiday overspending. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later.
Will You Avoid Holiday Overspending?
So, where are you with your holiday spending? Whether you’re feeling tempted to overspend, trying to please everyone, or just navigating tight finances – I want to remind you again that you aren’t alone. I’ve been there, too.
This year, this season, give yourself permission to focus on what really matters: the love and connection you share with your family and friends. Resist the urge to go back to old spending habits, and stay true to the financial priorities you’ve been working on all year.
You’ve got this and I’m cheering you on every step of the way. Have an amazing day, enjoy a very Merry Christmas, and I’ll chat with you again next time!
