The lead up to Christmas can be a stressful time for a lot of people. This isn’t uncommon, especially if the year has been a difficult one and challenging in many ways. At Christmas, we want to make our loved ones feel cherished, loved, and special, but too often this can lead to the financial pressure to spend beyond our means which can impact our mental health and financial stability.
It’s not uncommon for a lot of people to get themselves into debt over Christmas. Therefore, it begs to question how we can find the right balance between treating our loved ones without going overboard. Indeed, a lot of people report feeling very anxious about the prospect of not being able to afford Christmas. This can leave a lot of people considering loans. Those with bad credit scores will be even more desperate, searching for very bad credit loans direct lenders UK to find extra money. However, the desperate need for money doesn’t have to be the case. Taking control of finances and taking time to manage money can mean a much less stressful festive period.
Top Financial Tips During Holiday Season
Here are some of the most useful tips for ensuring you have a debt and stress-free holiday period.
Keep a budget in mind
The easiest way to avoid spending too much money over Christmas is by setting yourself a budget and planning your expenditure. It’s also a good idea to set specific budgets for gifts. Take time to think about what you want to buy in advance, plan for how much you can afford, and set a limit that you can’t exceed. Sticking to this kind of plan and budget means you won’t get yourself into financial turmoil.
Make a list
Not the naughty or nice type. Write a list of everything you want to buy and try and get it all in one shop. This avoids multiple trips to the shops where you’ll be potentially tempted to buy more. Be clear, concise and have a little self-discipline so you’re not easily enticed into another great sale or bargain. A lot of people find busy shopping centres a source of stress and anxiety. Therefore, you can always shop online as an alternative.
Get Creative
You don’t always have to be gifts on the high street. Sometimes, the most thoughtful gifts are hand made with love – they can make for some of the most sentimental too. For example, you can create your own art like knitwear, a painting, or you can gift homemade food gift wrapped such as jams, chutneys, or cookies. Getting creative will also help you feel more relaxed and will support your wellbeing. It can be therapeutic for many individuals.
Think Ahead
To help you save money, it’s important to think ahead and start planning Christmas earlier rather than later. You can put money aside each month after pay day to help lighten the load when it comes to Christmas. It’ll also avoid you relying on credit cards and loans.
Don’t Spend When You’re Not Feeling Good
Mental health issues can make it harder to manage finances. If you’re suffering with anxiety or stress or generally feeling under the weather, it’s best to put off spending until you feel better. You’ll be less likely to overspend and impulse buy.
Budget Planner
There are some great tools to help you keep on track with money all year round. From apps to budget planners. It’s also important to reach out if you need help. It could be friends or family than can help you to avoid any personal anxiety triggers.