Are you ready for Christmas??

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Nope, I did not forget to post this before Christmas. 

I'm serious - it's January 20th - ARE YOU READY FOR CHRISTMAS?

I know - I'm sure you're thinking, but we just wrapped up Christmas? What do you mean am I ready? It's not for another 12 months?? 

Here's the story:

I can't tell you how many times I hear people say between November & December 25th:

 "Money is just so tight right now with Christmas coming up." 

"It's so hard to make it through the holidays financially because of Christmas." 

"I can't go [to dinner or whatever the activity is] because I've got to buy Christmas gifts." 

Ok - NO. That is not what Christmas is about y'all! 

First of all, no one - NO ONE - would want you having a hard time during the holidays because you're trying to buy them a gift!
And if they are ok with that? ...then please don't buy them a gift and remove them from your life or at least out of your circle. k?

But the second thing is, you SHOULD NOT be scrambling to come up with any kind of money in December. I know you're thinking, "Yeah, but I just don't make enough money to come up with enough excess in December to buy for everyone." Well... neither do I.

I especially hate to hear my friends or family talk about how Christmas is stressful. SO...

Wanna know the secret?

Photo by Sam Truong Dan on Unsplash

You start budgeting now for Christmas.

Did you know that Christmas falls on December 25th - every single year?

You did? Ok good.
I know that sounds like a "duh" statement, but the way that people panic at Christmas and then have to sacrifice their activities, or eating, or even going into debt because of Christmas - I feel like they forget it is a set date, it is not a surprise, so you can and should plan for that expense!

When I first started budgeting in January for Christmas, I set aside what I could - which was around $10 per week. Do you know what that gave me by Christmas? $500! I was in my early 20s at that point and didn't even spend $500 on gifts for family & friends combined at that time, but it was there and I didn't have to go into debt.
Another way I have created my Christmas budget has been by coming up with a figure that I planned to spend for everyone at Christmas (by assigning a dollar amount to each person I was buying for, add any estimated expenses there might be for travel, dinners, decorations, etc. then total). I would then divide that by 50 (for 50 weeks - that way I have all the money I need before Christmas). That then gives you the amount you need to set aside each week! But hurry and get started - there are only 48 weeks until Christmas!

Do you see how completely stress free the holidays would then become?! 

Game. Changer. 

Now, there's a couple of places you can set the money aside. I have put the money aside in an envelope - which works if you want to keep the cash out in a safe place. That may be less temptation for you to not spend, and in a sense, out of sight - out of mind. Just don't forget where it is!
I eventually opened a separate account to transfer the money into each week and leave it until I am ready to start buying gifts. But I do not use an actual "Christmas Club" or "Christmas" savings account. Banks/credit unions normally will penalize you for taking the money out before a certain date (usually around October). I like having the freedom to be able to use it when I need it - especially in case I come across a gift earlier in the year!

Easy right?!

I'd love to help you if you have questions on getting ready for Christmas or even budgeting questions in general! Send me an email or a message on Instagram!

  Photo: Katka Pavlickova | Unsplash

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Email: brooke.allyson@gmail.com

Now start saving and apply this to every holiday, birthday and event that you can so you never have to scramble to make it through those times!