Gift Yourself With A Debt Free Holiday Season

Santa Nice Legs

Here we are - in the midst of the most shopping-intense season of the year. It´s easy to forget all your big plans as you focus on the holidays instead of your goals.

Sharing gifts with others is a timeless expression of love and appreciation. While you´re mall-browsing or e-shopping, remember these tips to help maintain your financial health.

  1. Establish shopping goals. Determine how much you want to spend for each person... and stick to your goal. Overspending is like over-eating. It adds up quickly - and takes forever to get rid of. Maintaining a holiday budget will help you avoid excessive expenses.
  2. Use cash or debit cards, not credit. Interest charges increase the total cost of each gift.
  3. Budget for shipping or delivery costs. Not only do you pay shipping to you, but gifts that must be sent will cost again. Mailing costs add up quickly.
  4. Think differently. By all means, gift each child on your list. Stay on budget, and add certificates for stay-up nights, story times, ´date nights´, cooking lessons or Saturday event specials throughout the year.
  5. For adults, whether family, friends or business associates, consider other options. Most of us don´t need more knick-knacks. Agree together to draw names so each one only buys for one. Other options include donating to charity in lieu of gifts, or creating non-dollar gift certificates for each other.
  6. Gift yourself by paying off at least one credit card. Enjoy less stress all year! You´ll also have more disposable income from the interest saved.

In a few short weeks, the New Year will arrive. Keep 2010 stress-free by setting and sticking to good financial goals for your holiday expenses.

For more information on developing life skills, better relationships, and becoming the best YOU possible, visit http://www.seebecksolutions.com and sign up to receive your FREE subscription to "Solutions For Success", a weekly ezine of inspiration, motivation and humor.

Ruth Seebeck has built a reputation over the last three decades as a life-skills coach, mentor, Christian counselor and friend. She is a business owner, author, community volunteer and event coordinator whose passion is helping others overcome life´s challenges.