How to manage stress over holiday shopping
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Until the stress and panic sets in, that is. Between crowded stores, expensive price tags, and thinning shelves, sometimes the holidays feel more “cold and prickly” than “warm and fuzzy.” And a lot of it comes down to holiday shopping.
It doesn’t need to be that way, though.
In this blog, we are bringing you some tips to take the stress out of holiday shopping and help keep the holidays merry and bright!
1. Set a budget. The worst feeling is spending your holidays staring down the barrel of a massive credit card bill. Before you even begin to think about shopping, you need to set a hard budget for yourself. That way, you can realistically plan ahead for your holiday shopping and avoid that horrible feeling over overspending. Speaking of planning ahead…
2. Make a list! It’s time to channel our inner-Santa. Once you have your budget set out for the holiday season, sit down and write out everyone you want to get presents for this year. Write out your gift ideas and hone them down until you have a decent ballpark estimate for how much you will spend on each person.
3. Set expectations. If you have kiddos in your family, it is good to temper expectations. We all know that children can go a little wild with their Christmas lists, so make sure to let them know that Santa can’t bring them everything on their list.
4. Shop online (at trusted retailers). Crowded stores can be stressful enough as it is. Add in flu season and COVID, and holiday shopping can become panic-inducing. Luckily, many retailers are adapting either with better online shopping or curbside pickup. If packed stores bring on the panic, do your holiday shopping online! If you choose to shop online, though, you should begin soon to avoid shipping delays. Which brings us to our last tip…
5. Don’t wait until the last minute! There is nothing worse than constantly checking your Amazon app on Christmas Eve to see if your package will be delivered on time or driving around from store to store trying to find a last-minute Christmas gift. If possible, begin your shopping now so you can enjoy your holidays without the stress of shopping hanging over your head.
And finally, if you are in need of financial help this holiday season, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We offer a Holiday Loan every December to help members get the little extra cashflow they need to get through the holidays. Avoid payday lenders and loan sharks that only aim to trap you into a cycle of debt. Instead, work with a credit union that has your best interest at heart.