Expenses usually go up this time of year. It’s better to admit that and work through it than ignore it and be frustrated by it (speaking from experience)!
Sal and I have found it VERY helpful to sit down and think through a budget for the holiday season. This gets us on the same page.
Here are the questions we think through to guide us:
- What parties / family gatherings are we hosting?
- Who are we buying gifts for and what is our budget…approximately?
- What decorations do we need (it’s absolutely a need for us)?
- Do we want to do any year end giving? How much and to who?
- Lastly, where is the money coming from to cover these expenses?
Thankfully, we set money aside each month into an account titled “Christmas”, but we usually add some to it!
Whether it’s on your own or with someone else, thinking through your holiday spending will allow you to enjoy it all the more!