Oh, baby it is about to start getting cold outside! If there’s one thing I’ve learned as a mom, a teacher’s assistant, and a woman with a lot on her plate is that it’s that preparation is everything. Right now the year is almost coming to a close and it is way too often when it feels as if the holidays sneak up on us. I can see and understand how it can bring stress instead of joy. This year, I’ve promised myself to be intentional. I am talking about not just with my money, but with my mindset.
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Here’s how I’m preparing both my mind and my finances for the holiday season:
1. Shifting My Mindset From Stress to Strategy
The first thing I had to do was change how I view the holidays. Instead of letting them feel like a financial burden like I once did. I’m focusing on making them a season of gratitude and simplicity. This means and looks like letting go of comparison. I will be reminding myself that my kids value time and memories more than feeling overwhelmed to buy a lot of gifts on my own. Also this looks like deciding not to overextend myself to help others and my glass is half way full.
When I choose peace over pressure I can find myself enjoying the season more. Plus, this mindset shift sets the tone for everything else.
2. Creating a Holiday Savings Stash
I’ve started a small “holiday envelope” in my budget. Even if I can only put aside $20–$40 from each check, it adds up fast between now and December. This stash will cover stocking stuffers, extra groceries for holiday meals, and even extra holiday treats for my kids. I believe that having cash ready keeps me from relying on using my credit cards or scrambling at the last minute.
3. Building My Credit While Staying Disciplined
This one is key as well and I'm preparing it by making intentional payments on my credit cards. The holidays are a time when many people max out cards. Then stress later. However, I am staying ahead of the game. I was doing a lot of credit card spending on the holidays for myself and kids last year and learned to slow down with doing so. I know now that if I start paying more than the minimum now, I’m freeing up my credit usage and raising my score little by little. The goal is to go into January with less debt, not more.
4. Making a Realistic Holiday Budget
I was looking at a blank note page on my phone thinking: How much do I really want to spend this holiday season without straining myself? I set a spending limit for gifts. I set a spending limit for holiday meals, and outings! Guess what, I’m sticking to it. If it’s not in the budget then baby, it’s not happening. This protects my peace and keeps my finances intact.
5. Protecting My Mental Space
Money and mindset can make or break you. While I budget, I also remind myself not to say “yes” to every opportunity to leave my apartment or to feel guilty if I keep things simple. Protecting my mental space is as important as protecting my wallet. A mom with boundaries is better than a stressed-out mom trying to do too much and then being broke.
Final Thoughts
This year, I’m walking into the holidays with a solid game plan. I am looking to prepare my mind to focus on gratitude and my finances to stay balanced. I’m creating room for good vibes and not unwarranted stress. I want to start the new year proud of how I handled this season and not overwhelmed by bills and burnout. I believe that’s a gift I’m giving myself and my kids this year.
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