Christmas and Finances

Hi everyone!

Its that time of the year again where we are forced into consumerism. Unless you're one of the few people who have eco-friendly and sustainable holiday ideas.

I don't know if that's entirely possible. It's going to be difficult. Especially if you have children and you know you want to give them at least one of their material desires (because children remember two days in the calendar, that's Christmas and their birthday.)

I know shell out a lot during this time of the year. Good thing I don't have children. And we've decided as a family that we'll prioritize saving for our future. (Its never too early to think of retirement.)

We got to exchange presents beginning of the month and on Christmas eve we'll make a nice dinner from family recipe book and call it a night. Now that doesn't exclude me from social gatherings where I'm supposed to bring a gift or a token to the hostess. It also doesn't exclude me from my friends gatherings.

So what to do during this time to keep a budget?

1. Make a list. List down people. List down what you're giving them. Be realistic. Let's not put everybody's names and pair it with an iPhone 6s. Choose the people that matter and set a budget. How much can we spend? That's entirely up to you. I know one person who gave everybody he knows a dollar gifts. He gave about 700 people. I know another person who gives out 100 dollar gifts. She gives this top ten of her closest friends. Then she gives out cheaper ones to her friends. Acquaintances are not part of her list.

2. Compare prices. You'll be surprised at how much you can save during this time. You get more savings if you use a coupon. So leaf through magazines, papers, and check online. They advertise their prices. Usually marked with words SALE and BIG DISCOUNT. You can do this not just for gifts but also for Christmas dinner or if you're throwing a party. Shop for those ingredients. Avoid the rush. We do this as late as two weeks in advance. You'll know when you have Christmas in the Philippines. People here take Christmas very seriously.

3. When all else fails, if budgets can't be stretched. Be creative. Start a family tradition. Bank on the experience that you're giving your family. Children understand, they are beautiful little people who know life struggles. (And if they don't that's even more wonderful.) Give them a family experience, make a nice breakfast and spend a little more time with them. Give them lasting memories.

I remember my mentors before telling me an experience about Target. She forgot what she was buying but the cashier she remembers. The cashier gave her an extraordinary customer experience and it stuck. Same goes with Christmas, children probably won't remember what they received but they will remember the smell of chocolate pudding or fried bacon. They will remember the attempts to be funny that ended up to be a tickle monster just because they wouldn't laugh. They will remember how dinner was prepared because they helped make it. Its this little things that make up life. The little puzzle pieces that helps build the bigger picture. These are what matters.

Happy Christmas everyone! God bless you.

Xo,
Paula