Dinner or drinks with friends; family holiday gatherings; and birthdays were the most common events people missed.
Here’s how I avoid missing out without falling into a debt trap.
Overall, 72% of shoppers said they would make financial sacrifices or tradeoffs to afford the holiday season.
One friend recommends a ritzy bar and a few others eagerly agree.
Before you might look up the restaurant’s prices, your friends are already solidifying their plans.
you’re free to find many free or low-cost ways to spend time with friends and family year-round.
But theloud budgetingtrend that took off in 2024 may be a sign that social norms are shifting.
You might prefer to suffer in silence rather than “burden” others with your needs.
And if someone close to youispushing you to do so, it may be time to reexamine that relationship.
On the other hand, you don’t need to bare your finances to every casual acquaintance.
Say you didn’t get to see your family during the holidays because airfare was too expensive.
Also, consider alternative transportation like driving or taking a train instead of flying.
Spontaneous outing with friends?
Use the sinking fund.
Having a sinking fund for discretionary spending stops me from overspending.
I find it psychologically helpful to have all ofmy discretionary money go into a separate account.
Taking ownership of your money choices – even small ones – is its own kind of power.
