This time of the year just seems to stress me out. What do you buy? Do you visit your parents? Do you visit your spouse’s parents? How much do you spend on kids? How much do you spend on each other? Is there enough money in the bank account to buy the items? How much debt will we go into buying the gifts? Do our kids really need all the items they are asking for? Do we buy our families gifts? What to eat? How much to spend on food?
Ugh! The list could go on and on. Where does it all end? Calgon take me away!
I am sure a lot of you go through the same thought process? If so, then there is a really easy way to deal with it and that is simply to stop.
Most of the above deals with money, but some of it is emotional. We have been programmed to buy, buy, buy and to please, please, please. At some point in time, we have to stop and think or else it all comes crumbling down. Most people spend way outside their means and then take months to pay it all off. In the meantime, they struggle financially which in turn causes family strife.
There are alternative solutions:
- Make a budget and stick to it
- Make your gifts
- Stop trying to buy your kids or family members love
- Make dinner as simple as possible
- Call family members
- Give without expecting anything in return
The most precious commodity any of us have is time. Everything is replaceable, but time is not. Once a day is gone, it is gone forever. So while your kids or family members may initially be upset with the lack of gifts, they will enjoy you spending more time with them in person or even by phone. I know my mom did when our son called her every Sunday to talk for an hour or two.
Also, forget all the social media crap as it is so impersonal. Go visit, write a letter, or call a person on the phone. I bet your life will be less stressed in the end.