If you’re still spending money hand over fist because there are a few shopping days left until Christmas- pause, take a moment and read this. There are so many reasons to stop, but here are just a few that might make you sit up and think.
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Are you paying off debt?: If you are, your money would be better spent on reducing this down rather than spending hard earned cash on things others probably don’t need. This is even more important if you are still paying off your Christmas debt from last year. Don’t let the festive season leave you in rolling debt, it’s really not worth it.
You are buying gifts for people who have asked for nothing this year: News flash, if they said they didn’t want anything, they meant it. If they can’t come up with a gift idea, you sure won’t be able to either, so take them at their word and don’t spend money on them and everyone is happy.
You are focusing on the wrong things: If you are buying last minute presents for people, you are really missing the point of Christmas. It’s not about the gifts- it’s about being together, this year especially after spending so much time apart. Good company and togetherness- that is it. Everything else is a result of self-imposed traditions- you are not going to have a worse Christmas because you didn’t buy an Elf on the Shelf, you forgot to do stockings this year or you weren’t able to fill a Santa sack up to its full capacity. Which leads me onto my next point…
You don’t have to stuff gift bags, stockings and sacks full to the brim: Magazines and websites are plastered with images of bulging bags with stuffed animals and candy canes protruding out the top. You don’t need to copy this aesthetic if you can’t afford it or it’s not necessary. A few well thought out gifts are more than enough and if this doesn’t look Instagram worthy- so what?
You are shopping because you think you should: People on your social media are posting about the last minute bits and the last rush before the big day, so you start to feel like you should be doing the same. Here’s the reality- you don’t need to buy more things just because everyone else is. It’s not an obligation to do a dash to the shops a few days before to see what else you can collect. Let’s face it, gifts bought in these moments aren’t thoughtful, they are to fill a space, that is all.
You are probably spending next month’s money: Most people get paid a little earlier than usual in December so there are still people about to process the transfer, so any money you are spending now is probably coming out of your January allowance. While it may seem like a good idea now, when you reach the second or third week of January and you have no money left, you will curse the spending you are doing now. Think of your January self and put the card down.
You are putting yourself at risk: If you go out to shop for meaningless things on the high street, you are putting yourself and possibly your family at risk from catching the virus. Would the person you are buying for want you to be healthy or want more gifts? The answer is obvious so preserve your money and your health and stop shopping now!
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