Break the cycle this year with 7 questions to ask yourself before overspending, plus insights as to why we spend so much against our better judgment.
Are you familiar with this holly-but-not-so-jolly cycle? As the holidays approach, you promise yourself that this year you won’t get caught up in a frenzy of overspending. You know that piles of gifts do little to enhance your family’s seasonal joy—and you definitely don’t want a debt hangover that carries into January. And yet, every year, your resolve disappears under a mountain of shopping bags and wrapping paper.
You can’t seem to stop yourself from adding one more person to the list; agonizing over finding gifts at the "right" price point so recipients won’t think you’re cheap; charging "just" one more gift for each kid so that the pile under the tree will be big enough, and so on.
Ask yourself why someone who knows better (that’s you) can’t seem to stop spending during this time of year.
Why does the holiday hustle and bustle drown out the voice of financial good sense? Why does "the most wonderful time of the year" end up causing massive amounts of stress and overspending?
Here, I share seven questions to ask yourself about your holiday spending habits— pondering these things is far less expensive than therapy, and the answers can prompt you to make real, money-saving changes in your spending behaviors.
1. Do I believe the amount I spend on gifts reflects on me as a person? Admit it: During past holiday seasons, you’ve found yourself in a store aisle waffling between two differently priced gifts: Gift X is easier on my budget, but I don’t want Taylor to think that I’m being cheap if I don’t spend a certain amount of money…so maybe I’d better go with Gift Y to be on the safe side, even though it costs more.
Especially in our status-obsessed society, many people genuinely believe that the more they spend on others, the higher the opinion those people will have of them. However, the notion that there are "right" and "wrong" price points for certain people in our lives really doesn’t help us build quality relationships and can dig us into deep financial holes. True friends would probably rather you stay within your budget and might even appreciate a mutual agreement not to break the bank on a gift exchange!
Money can’t buy us love and neither can expensive gifts; and if the amount you’re spending is important to the recipient, you might need new friends.
2. Do I feel "entitled" to a little excess this time of year? You work hard, keep your nose to the grindstone, and pay attention to your budget for 11 months of the year. So when December finally rolls around, you can’t help but feel that most bets are off. It’s supposed to be a season of celebration! you think. My family deserves to splurge and indulge a little bit. We’ll get back on the bandwagon when January rolls around.
The irony is that we’re racking up bills we’ll have to work even harder to pay off once the tree comes down. You may be living your whole life like this: spending, spending, spending on a big house, a new car, all the latest electronics because your hard work means that you "deserve" it. Then you have to work even harder to sustain the lifestyle that you’re not really enjoying at all. It’s a vicious cycle that many people never break because they never realize that the source of their unhappiness is, in fact, all of the "stuff"they thought would bring them joy.
3. Am I living my values when I overspend? How often have you filled your shopping cart with piles of gifts just because it’s what the neighbors are doing or because you’re seduced by slick ads and "irresistible" sales? How often have you purchased expensive ornaments and decorations so your home will look perfect? And how often have you done so without considering that an imperfect but lovingly constructed paper garland and a few nights of watching holiday films with your family might be more in keeping with what you want this season to "really" be about?
Many people would be happier with a simpler, less-commercialized holiday season. But often, they don’t realize this about themselves. Do some soul searching this December and ask yourself what really brings you joy before you get out the credit cards.
In our supersized culture, "more" is too often equated with "happiness." You might assume that throwing a lavish holiday party will bring you joy. Instead it may bring you stress and exhaustion. Likewise, buying the latest, greatest, most expensive gadgets for your kids may lead to unhappiness when you realize you are sending the wrong message and are not teaching your kids to live within their means.
4. Am I a victim of the instant gratification "epidemic?" In a world of fast food, two-day shipping, video streaming, and 24-hour online shopping, most of us aren’t used to waiting. Our desire to get what we want now (whether it’s a gift for someone else or ourselves!) can blind us to long-term consequences like the credit card bills that will arrive in January.
If you don’t have the money in hand to pay for the holiday indulgences you want, accept that they’ll have to wait awhile and start saving—don’t buy into the, "I’ll pay for it later" rationalization. Remind yourself that 90 percent of the stuff you and your family just "had to have" in the past is now collecting dust on a shelf.
The instant gratification trend is exacerbated by the fact that credit cards—today’s primary method of payment—are so easy to use. You might think twice while writing out a check or digging cash out of your wallet, but swiping a credit card just doesn’t provide that kind of reality check. If we would only slow down, pay attention, and let the rational part of our brain take over during our frenzied shopping sprees, we’d realize that money spent now comes out of the same limited bank account we use during the rest of the year.
5. Is holiday overspending an unofficial family tradition? In many families, the phrase, "But that’s how we always celebrate!" excuses all manner of financial transgressions. We buy expensive gifts, attend overpriced events, and even go to elaborate lengths to decorate our homes and host events. Over the years, overspending can become as much of a tradition as decorating a tree or lighting a menorah. Yet, "That’s how we always do things!" is a poor excuse.
Before taking out your wallet, ask yourself—and the other members of your family—how much enjoyment they really get from going out to eat every night Grandma is in town, for example. It may be that you’d all feel more satisfied with some new family traditions that don’t lead to financial worries. Maybe you could put together a menu from Grandma’s childhood and prepare it together, while listening to her memories of celebrating the holidays as a young girl. The most meaningful traditions aren’t based on expenditures—they are based on rich experiences with friends and family.
Think about it this way: If your family has a blowout holiday celebration but then your kids hear you worrying about money for the next six months, which experience do you think will impact them more deeply?
6. Have I considered the joy that financial self-control can bring? We all know that gifts, parties, decorations, and entertainment are supposed to bring holiday joy—and frugality doesn’t sound very festive! But the truth is, controlling our money feels good, while spending without limits feels bad. The initial rush you may get from an extravagant holiday quickly wears off—and it does not equate to more fun, greater happiness, or better memories. In fact, credit card debt often leads to long-lasting anxiety and unhappiness.
There are many things in life we can’t control, and we need to accept that. However, psychology research tells us that we control roughly 40% of our happiness. That’s why it’s so important to pay attention to the things we can control and to be aware of their impact on our happiness. Remember, you control how much you spend, now and throughout the year. You’ll find that when you control the controllables and live within your means, you’ll feel much more at peace—even if the pile of gifts under the tree is smaller—because you aren’t worrying about how you’re going to pay for everything!
7. Will all of this "stuff" help me to enjoy the moment? During past holidays of excessive spending, entertaining, and gift-giving, where has your mindset been? Were you truly enjoying the present moment, or were you thinking about other things: What’s next on the schedule? What should I serve at the party? What kind of gifts should we get the Smiths? I hope everyone appreciates all of the work I’m doing. (Maybe even, I’m afraid to check the account balance!)
We really need to stay in the moment during the holidays because where we place our attention determines our attitude. Psychology research tells us that interacting meaningfully with family and friends will make us happier than spending money on more things. So slow down and spend some time with your loved ones instead of rushing out to spend more money. When you’re mindful and grateful, you don’t need to fill some inner void by acquiring stuff.
After you’ve thought about these questions on your own, talk them over with the rest of your family. Have a conversation that includes: "We are not going to overspend this holiday season; we are living within our means; we are saving for our retirement and for your college; we are not trying to keep up with the Joneses." You’ll set the foundation for a truly happy holiday… and a more positive financial future for your family!
Donna Skeels Cygan, CFP, MBA, is the owner of the financial advisory firm Sage Future Financial, LLC, and the author of "The Joy of Financial Security: The art and science of becoming happier, managing your money wisely, and creating a secure financial future." She has been recognized numerous times as one of the top financial advisors in the U.S. She seeks to help her clients take control of their money in a way that maximizes their happiness. Cygan has contributed to articles and has been quoted in national newspapers and magazines, including the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Forbes, Kiplinger’s, and Investment News. She has appeared on TV programs in New York, Seattle, Portland, Phoenix, Minneapolis, and Memphis, as well as on many radio shows across the U.S. She also enjoys speaking on many topics related to money and happiness. To learn more, visit www.joyoffinancialsecurity.com or follow her on Google+.
