Christmas Spending

What better time to start a blog on using fiscal sense than during the Holiday Season? Believe me, all of us are tempted to spend or do more than we should. I am going to be inviting all our FISC (Financial Information and Service Center) financial counselors, and perhaps others to chime in here to discuss their favorite ideas for making it through the holidays without overspending.

Even among us financial counselors we have a wide variety of styles and personalities, some of us are spenders by nature and some very frugal. What am I tempted by this year? An I-Pod nano for my 20 year old college student. The new X Box for the family--and 15 year old son. Yes, I know these are just material things. But it is at this time of year when family members start talking about what they want. And I like giving my kids things that will delight them. It's a shame that it's all tied into the Christmas season. Maybe it would be a good idea to separate gift giving from Christmas, and not try to find out what everyone wants. Maybe at some other time in the year I'll surprise the family with something special. If I do, it will be paid for, and not put on a credit card.

So, that's my first tip for holiday shopping. Focus on what you already have--your friends, family, many material things and be grateful. As the saying goes, want what you have. And when you do purchase a gift, do so with cash that you can afford to spend, don't create a debt or a financial problem for yourself in the name of Christmas. Ginny

One of the fun ideas from our family is one we did with the adults for several years. We exchanged names in secret, usually on Thanksgiving Day. Then we bought that person a gift for $2 or less. "Less is better." If we found something for free, that was a real deal! On Christmas Eve after the children had opened their gifts from grandparents and aunts and uncles, we adults got to do our exchange. It was the most fun of the gift-opening. We took turns so that everyone saw what we got and only then knew who had drawn our names. The gift could be funny or serious - anything at all.

One of the fun things I remember was a straw hat with flowers and ribbons, sort of like Minnie Pearl was noted for wearing. It was given to my mother and then reappeared the next year for a sister-in-law. One person got a $.49 handle for a hammer, wrapped in a cardboard paper towel tube. The recipient said he really needed it! I got an "elephant ear" cookie, since I am an elephant collector. The challenge of finding something inexpensive, appropriate and fun was the novelty of the exchange. Fun doesn't have to cost a lot! I hope you have fun and don't spend a lot this Christmas. - Janet

BAH HUMBUG! I don't like the seductive urge to spend even more! Look over those newspaper and television ads with caution. The season seems to emphasize the lack of basic needs of some, more than the rest of the year. This is ok. It promotes awareness and sharing! It would be great to see the Christmas giving continue throughout the year for those in need because it doesn't just begin and end December 25. Isn't community and compassion what the celebrating is about anyway? When you are taking care of your basic needs, the things we take for granted, think about giving basic needs. Watch, look and listen this special time of year and you will be aware of the needs of the people in your community that you can assist throughout the year. Giving is a sure cure for that Scrooge in me. One inexpensive thing I enjoy is the snow, fresh air and sharing stories. Thanks for your ideas! Janell

To keep the "Happy" in Happy Holidays, know that you don't have to do it all! And look beyond the cost of the gifts to find ways to save your money and your sanity.

• Make the meal a pot-luck occasion.
• Get involved in a cookie exchange with 2-4 friends. Make one kind of cookie to share and end up with 3-5 different varieties. (Try to avoid a larger exchange group, or you'll still end up spending a lot of time in the kitchen)
• If you like to change your holiday decor from year to year, consider shopping Goodwill or summer rummage sales for great buys on unique items.
• Check the after-holiday sales to get next year's decorations, holiday cards, and seasonal paper products. But set a limit and don't overdo a good thing!
• Find creative and environmentally friendly ways to wrap gifts: in pillow cases or dish cloths; in reuseable gift bags from discount or close-out stores; in hand-decorated grocery bags (the kids will enjoy helping with the decorations!)

Make frugal shopping a game; keep the cost and time investment low, and you will reduce the stress on the budget while leaving more time for enjoying the season. - Kay

My favorite gift to make for friend and family is crochet towels for the kitchen. It's a gift that can be used all year round and by the time the next Christmas comes you can give it again.

Another activity I do when shopping is checking out the clearance racks. I find great bargains and usually can use them as gifts throughout the rest of the year. I spend so little that if I do not use it I can donate it to a good cause, such as Goodwill or domestic abuse shelters. - Mary T.