The "Cha Ching" of Christmas

Pies are baking, bells are ringing, and sounds of holiday cheer fill the air. I find it hard to think about Christmas when we haven’t even enjoyed Thanksgiving. Yet, we can use this time leading up to the holidays to plan effectively. It’s easy to slip into the holiday mood and buy just one more present for an acquaintance, one more outfit for a holiday party—and wake up with a splitting-headache spending hangover in January.


Plan ahead, pray and think about how you want to manage the holiday season. Don’t spend the next year dealing with the stress of paying for all of those lovely gifts and parties and decorations.

The holiday season is a time of renewal and fellowship—and also time of wild consumerism. We seem to worship the mall and the Hallmark store, instead of our faith, our traditions, and our connection to our families and the world. Instead of spending money this season, consider spending time with those you love.

Here are some questions that can help you think ahead and help you create a memorable Holiday experience.

• What were the holidays like when you were a child? Were they lavish or low-budget?


• Were they well-planned or last-minute?


• What were your parents’ gift-giving rituals? Was there a spending limit per present? A resolution to only give presents to the children? At what age did you start giving presents to your parents?


• What interesting traditions do your family and friends have for the holidays? How have they saved time or money or added additional meaning to the season?


• What new traditions for the holidays have you started in your adult life? Why did you choose these?

This information is taken from our It’s Not About the Money (INATM) Club curriculum. If you’re interested in starting 2008 off on the right financial foot give me a call at 342-0478 or email me at lauralongville@inatm.com .

If you register for the INATM club by the end of November and pay in full for 3 months ($117) I will give you 3 months FREE a $117 value. You will receive 6 full months of the INATM Club for $117. What a great way to start off 2008! Visit here http://www.inatm.bizland.com/club.html for more information regarding the INATM Club.