With just a few shopping days to go until Christmas finally arrives, Jersey’s Consumer Council and an overspending therapist say there are simple ways to avoid busting the bank.
Michele Ivory works with people on a range of matters linked to money and finance, from overspending to shopping addiction, through to divorce and inheritance.
Here are her top tips for a Christmas that isn’t packed with financial pressure…
Buying out of habit
Always bought for a particular person but don’t even see them much nowadays. Be brave, suggest you both stop. They will probably be relieved.
Buying because they bought you a present
If someone chooses to buy you a present, that’s their decision. Thank them. But it doesn’t mean you have to buy in return.
Buying because you feel obliged to
Your siblings are having children and the family is expanding. You can opt out. Remember those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.
Buying out of guilt
Are you trying to make up for something you did or didn’t do? Buying stuff doesn’t help you or the other person. You need to let go of guilt and if you want to make amends, do so in other ways. You want to be liked or feel the need to tell others how much you have spent on presents. This doesn’t work. You need to uncover why your self-esteem is low & transform it.
Pressure
You feel the need to ‘protect’ your children by buying the same things as their friends. Have honest money conversations. Can you part-contribute & they come up with ideas to make up the difference?
Final thought
Once you have your list set your budget for each person and stick to it. Get creative and your ‘genius’ ideas flowing. Christmas is a time of celebration, you don’t want it to be a time when you set yourself up with money headaches for next year.
There’s much more from the Jersey Consumer Council here, and you can contact Michele here.
