I've been a Lifetime Weight Watchers member for more than a decade,
and this time of year is always the most challenging for those who are trying
to lose weight or keep it off. You have to make trade-offs. Enjoy your favorite
foods—especially those once-a-year treats—but don't let them hijack your
SmartPoints budget.
The holiday season is also challenging for people who are trying
to get on the right track financially, or just making ends meet. You want the
holidays to be special, but you dread starting out the next year deeper in
debt.
The key to staying trim—and financially responsible—is moderation.
What do you value most about the season? The spiked eggnog and frosted
gingerbread men, or the fellowship with friends at a holiday gathering? Giving
the most expensive present, or being with family?
Even though this is the season for holiday celebrations, not every
day during November and December calls for overeating. Dieters can balance days
of extra workouts and eating a green salad for lunch to save up enough
SmartPoints for a slice of Grandma’s homemade pumpkin pie. One slice. Savored.
The same principle applies to spending money during the holidays. There
will probably be more lunches out, more office parties and gift exchanges, more
reasons to shop. Prioritize and participate in those activities from which you
derive the most value.
Instead of going out and buying something new for the dirty Santa
/ white elephant gift exchange, why not scour your closet and recycle that item
you received last year and had no use for? (If you’re afraid someone will
recognize it, use it with a different group.)
Are there people you buy presents for every year out of habit? And
the items they give you end up re-gifted or donated to charity? Make the
suggestion to change the tradition, perhaps get together for a meal or a movie
instead. Depending on your talents, substitute giving homemade goodies or
flowers from your garden. Chances are, it’s not the gift that’s important to
the person, it’s the relationship, the act of being remembered and acknowledged.
Throwing a holiday party? Cut down on costs by allowing guests to
add to the bounty with a favorite dish or bottle of spirits to share. Most people
will ask what they can bring or what they can do to help. Take them up on their
offers. Most guests won’t care how much you’ve spent on food and decorations; they’re
more interested in the opportunity to catch up with friends and neighbors in a
relaxed environment.
I used to spend a lot of money on Christmas cards, postage, and
printing a year-in-review letter with color photos. More and more friends and
family now send their holiday greetings by email, so my mailing list for
physical cards has shrunk over the years. Saves postage, and delivery is much
faster.
If you decorate heavily, it’s tempting to add more adornments each
year to replace worn items or freshen the look. Try to make do with last year’s
stash, and then stock up on new stuff toward the end of the season. Years ago,
the big sales happened the day after Christmas. Now it seems that by December
26, Christmas has been erased, and the big half-price sales on cards, wrapping
paper, decorations, trees, etc., happen the week before the holiday. In time to
add to your collection this year, if you’re patient.
And speaking of wrapping paper, I can’t seem to shake an old habit
instilled in me by my mother: unwrap packages with care so you can reuse the
paper. Especially if it’s pretty. And expensive, i.e., from someone outside our
family.
What tips do you have for saving money during the holiday season? I'd
love to hear your comments.
No comments:
Post a Comment