Well the holiday season is well behind us now. And I am certain those credit card bills have made their way into your mailbox or email inbox. The not so positive spin on this is that it probably has you now possibly regretting those purchases. At what I am sure was a time of happiness when making them. It is human nature for us to give our loved ones something to show that they mean something to us. This is where we as a society for the majority have lost sight on what matters. We have allowed ourselves to become persuaded by various avenues of advertising to believe we need to buy things to show our love, appreciation, etc. for those that matter to us. My kids in all honesty have helped me remember that it is more about spending time with those that matter to us that honestly in the end mean the most to them.
Our kids are no different than quite a few I am sure in that when given something like a toy or game the novelty wears off after awhile and it becomes boring or sits in a corner and collects dust. Over the holiday season I was reminded the one thing that doesn’t wear off, when they get some good quality time with mom and dad. This is most especially true I would think in a family where both parents work full time jobs. Remembering this got me thinking back to my childhood and what mattered the most to me and honestly I remember certain specific instances where I had some good quality time with either of my parents. Not the toys, or games as a material item in itself.
This enlightening may not help you for the bills currently staring you in the face. But it can help for future holiday seasons. What needs to be done now is for you to maybe let go of that latte a day, or maybe that 1-2 meals out on the town a week, or buying your lunches for work and make them from home instead. I am certain most of us have something that we can let go of that we don’t need. So with that do a budget, find out what you are spending money on. Take that dollar amount and apply on the credit card balance.
Use that negative feeling about the debt you incurred to then help prepare you for next year. Start saving money aside during the year for next holiday season. Make the purchases you do decide to make ones that really do count and have some meaning behind them. This will bring joy for years to come.
Till next time GWF