DON'T GO INTO DEBT!

Why do I say this to you?  Because I've been there and done that, and I've suffered the pain of that process!  I'd LOVE to help you avoid that pain.

Christmas, more than any other time of year, tempts us to spend money we don't have.  We want to be generous.  People are going to give us gifts and we want to reciprocate.  We want people to think well of us.  We don't want them to know that our finances are in horrible shape.

As a result, we short-circuit and start spending on credit.  We block out thoughts about the consequences of our actions.  We satisfy our immediate desires and refuse to allow ourselves to think of the impact this will have on us in January.

Not a good scenario...

If you're on-the-verge of this kind of behavior - STOP!!!!

Don't do it!  Don't set yourself back financially.  Don't set yourself up for misery and depression in the New Year!  Exercise restraint! 

Here are some alternative things you can do to keep your finances from getting worse:

• Let people you usually exchange gifts with know that you're exercising restraint this year because you're trying to restore balance to your finances.  If they really love you, they'll be impressed and understand.
• Write letters instead of giving gifts!  People love to read nice things about themselves!  Write your friends a note telling them everything you appreciate about them.  They'll read it over and over again!
• Use your talents, be creative!  Debbie and I had friends in Maryland named Forrest and Eileen Grauel.  They called and asked if they could stop by.  Upon their arrival, they set up a tape deck and started some music playing.  Forrest sang us a lovely Christmas song;  then they verbally expressed their gratitude and told us what they appreciated about us.  Then they packed up and left!  And we were so blessed! 
• Give away your treasure!  We all have things of value that we keep clinging to.  Give something valuable away!  Include a note telling the person how much this has meant to you over the years.  Write:  "Instead of going out and spending money on something meaningless, I've decided to give you something that actually means a great deal to me."
• Make something!  Give the gift of home-made cookies!  Or something knitted or crocheted.  Carry in a meal!  Put together a photo book of memories or a collage of pictures.  Make a handcraft! 
• Use your skill to do something nice for someone.  If you have mechanical skills, give them a coupon for a free brake job or a detailing job.  Give them a coupon for a home-made meal at your house!  Offer to repair something that you know is broken. 

All of these gifts will be far more appreciated than something you would go out and spend a lot of money on! 

The best gift you could give a lot of your family and friends is the gift of time and attention! 

Just do yourself a favor and DON'T GO INTO DEBT!