My Mind on My Money, My Money on My Mind
Holiday Juggle = Financial Stress
This holiday season, all I can think about is money, and that includes the possibility of taking out a cash advance. Halloween is over, and it’s November, so I feel like I can rightfully talk about the upcoming holiday season. The holidays are a special time of year, but with so much stuff going on, the holidays can also be very stressful—especially when it comes to money.
Are You Prepared?
The holidays require a lot of preparation. I’m definitely not one of those people that does my Christmas shopping in July or October. I typically wait until the middle weeks of December to finish up buying gifts. I may not have any of my Christmas shopping done, but I have been preparing for the holiday season by saving as much money as possible. I’ve cut back on restaurant dining, I’ve been skipping my morning latte, and I’ve been keeping track of how much money I charge on my credit card each day. I even got a part-time waitressing job in early October to supplement the income from my day job.
There's much to prepare for during the holidays
Preparation is necessary to deal with the financial stress of the holidays. There are so many costs associated with the “most wonderful time” of the year. I want to have extra money this time of year so I can entertain my friends, afford gifts for my closest friends and family, buy a pretty Christmas tree, and travel across the state to visit my family. Even then, I’m going to shop frugally—I might even make most of the gifts I give. And I bet my pretty Christmas tree will only be 3 feet tall like Charlie Brown’s tree.
Little Luxuries
Unfortunately, all the things I’m saving for are little luxuries; I still have to be able to afford the usual monthly expenses like utilities, gas, and groceries. I know my heat bill is going to skyrocket once the snow hits the ground! So despite all my preparation, I still feel under-prepared. What if something unexpected happens? If any surprise costs get thrown in the mix, my budget will be thrown completely off-track.
No Help from the North Pole
"Santa won’t be able to give me cold, hard cash..."
I know Santa Clause creates miracles for families every Christmas, but I don’t live on 34th street. Santa won’t be able to give me cold, hard cash if I run into emergency expenses. That’s why I know I can get a cash advance if I need to. I hope that with all my budgeting, preparation, and sacrifices I will have enough money to make it through the holiday season. If not, I know that I can take out a cash advance to help me until I get my next paycheck.
Maintaining Perspective
It’s easy to get wrapped up in the material side of the holidays. This whole post is discussing how stressed I am about money. Although my financial concerns are legitimate, I need to maintain the right perspective. The holidays are about spending time with friends and family, and that should be my focus. Bills, travel, a cash advance, and other financial issues are things I need to keep in the back of my mind.
Thanks, NicoleLoanAdvice!
Not as if I haven’t thought about the fast-approaching holiday season, and how many gifts I haven’t purchased yet…
Honestly, cash advance can really come in handy during times like these.
One thing I do have to suggest is to begin your holiday shopping early. In that way your budget will not suffer as much. I used to wait until the last minute to purchase all of the Christmas presents, but I find it easier to purchase a few items here and there. This allows me to stretch my budget out further and have a little time freedom for myself.