4 min read
How to plan holiday spending without debt
Gifts, travel and hosting add up fast. Set a number in November and enjoy December without the January bill shock.
The holidays are joyful and expensive. Most of the stress comes from spending without a number in mind.
Pick one total first
Decide what you can spend in cash before you make a single list. Then split it across gifts, food, travel and hosting.
List people, then gifts
Write every person you buy for and give each one a budget. It is much easier to say no to an impulse buy when the line is already full.
Start a sinking fund for next year
Divide this year’s total by 12. Set that aside monthly and next December is already paid for.
A calm January starts with a plan in November.