Another holiday season is here, and with it come all of the ads for those fancy new phones, toys (adult and kid varieties) jewelry, and cars.  It looks like our country has lost track of what the word “holiday” means.  A holiday, in earlier times, meant gathering with your family, celebrating traditions with them, and having meals together.  A generally happy time.  You’d be talking and maybe even singing together with family and friends.

Fast forward to the “consumer era”, where the holiday season is all about the money. The sounds that are promoted in the media is the sound of ringing cash registers and the ca-ching of money. And, our economy depends on this 6 (now 8) week rush. After all, “Black Friday” got its name from business owners,  who were finally “in the black” (making a profit) on the day after Thanksgiving, when the holiday shopping began.

If you are struggling each month to pay the regular bills, how could you be expected to buy gifts for your family?  Is it worth it to go further into debt to give some holiday cheer? That’s for each person to decide.  Does the holiday season bring more stress? Apparently it does, because, according to a 2011 survey, 45% of Americans would  prefer to skip Christmas altogether.  I’m not saying to stop giving gifts, but rather to stick with a budget and lower your stress level.

But, here are  6 tips to help you put things in perspective, and stay sane during the holiday season:

1. Take care of yourself. It sounds trivial, but getting some exercise, and eating right helps a lot. After some big holiday meals where you might splurge, having some small meals and taking walks or going to the health club can help lighten your mood.
2. Don’t get caught up in the hype. Just because there are “huge sales” on Black Friday does not mean that you have to buy so much.  Make your list of exactly what you want to buy, and set a dollar amount, and stick to it.  Just going shopping because it’s the “thing to do” plays into the stores’ hands, and you’ll  end up buying things you don’t need.
3. Remember that it truly is the thought that counts. Gifts don’t have to be expensive. They could be home-made or home-assembled, and be just as good.
4. Remember to talk with someone if you are stressed. Talk to a close friend, don’t let your worries build up. Sometimes their ideas can help put things in perspective.
5. Don’t pay attention to your friends or neighbors’ posts on social media. It looks like everyone is getting such great gifts and taking great trips over the holidays.  Remember it is just their “marketing” of themselves, only showing the good times.  Also, most importantly, you cannot compare your life with anyone else’s.  If you do, you’ll never be satisfied.
6. Make a list of everything that you are thankful for. Whether it is in your head or on paper.  You have much more than you think. Don’t forget that.  Thanksgiving is the true holiday, and it’s not called Thanksgetting (contrary to the new commercial being aired).

Here’s to a Happy Holiday Season, and beating those holiday money blues.

Daniel J. Winter

BankruptcyLawChicago.com

djw@DWinterLaw.com

Offices in Chicago, Gurnee, Oak Lawn, and Skokie, Illinois

312-789-9999