By Aubrie Smith, copy editor.
As much as I wish I loved the holidays, I don’t. I’m the ultimate Scrooge. It’s not that I don’t like the winter, or that I’m a Christmas hater. I enjoy Thanksgiving turkey as much as the next guy. The reality is that I’m broke.
I like spoiling my family with gifts, and stressing over the perfect present for my significant other. But being a college student adds stress to that. How the crap am I supposed to pay for all of this? You feel me?
Well, being the money responsible person that I am– I budget and choose alternatives.
Take a look at your finances
If your credit card balance is higher than your checking account, you might want to work on that a bit before crunch time. Remember that the holidays are not all about gifts. If time is all that you can give this year, than that’s fine. Don’t give more than you have. You have to know your limits. No one should go broke over holidays. Not even you.
Gift exchange, anyone?
Having a big family or a ton of friends around the holidays can be stressful. How do I buy something for everyone, and still make rent this month? Suggest a gift exchange! Secret Santa or White Elephant gift exchanges are life savers. Now you’re buying two or three gifts instead of seven, and everyone’s happy. Everyone runs tight on funds around the holidays, so you won’t look cheap, you’ll look smart!
“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.”
Sometimes presents are overrated. Hate me all you wish, but I have a point. Instead of buying presents for all of your friends, do a holiday-related activity. Take a friend-trip to go ice skating, have a holiday movie night, spend a night in Frankenmuth and take a carriage ride, bake a ton of christmas cookies, decorate DIY ornaments, take pictures, laugh and create memories, not personal deficits.
Budgeting
For those people who need to buy gifts, and there’s no way around that, budgeting is certainly an option. Though you probably should have started sooner, you do still have time. There’s 6 weeks until Christmas, folks. Assess your financial situation, and figure out what you can afford to take out of your paycheck. If you get paid bi-weekly, you have 3 paychecks left. If you can afford to take out $50, you’ll have $150 for gifts. Pick up some extra shifts, cut out coffee, and don’t stop at McDonalds. Take a few weeks and live off of Ramen. Know that when it’s all over, and you’ve pleased everyone in your family, you’ll once again be living comfortably.
The holiday season is not supposed to be about stress. It’s supposed to be about family, friends, and celebration. Don’t add more to your plate than you can eat. Do what you can this season to eliminate financial struggles, and keep yourself sane this year.