In case you’ve been living in a media blackout, it’s the holiday season. It’s almost impossible to miss the messages: “If you really want to make your family and friends happy, buy NOW!” Who doesn’t want to make their family happy? It makes staying on budget very difficult. And if you’re not careful, you can quickly find yourself sucked into some not-so-healthy spending habits.

While the world is being bombarded with messages of smiling, happy people spending their way into the hearts of families and friends with reckless abandon, here’s the real story: this year, more than 1 in 4 Americans expect to go into debt this holiday season. And that’s not the end of the story. More than 25% of Americans plan to take out a loan to cover their holiday expenses. This year, most Americans are giving themselves the gift of debt for the holidays. No thank you.

Eyes on the Prize

While the rest of the world seems to be in a buying frenzy, now is the perfect time to wage your own personal War On Debt. There is no reason to spend yourself into financial ruin at any time of year – especially over the holidays. And if you’ve found yourself seduced by the blizzard of captivating holiday messages, don’t give up. You might have lost a small battle, but you can still win the war. Remember – these messages are specifically designed to separate you from your money. But as Dani says, “if you don’t have a plan for your money, you can bet that someone else does.”

Here are some ways to stay on track this holiday season and continue to win your War On Debt:

1. Have a budget.
   This seems like a no-brainer. But you’d be surprised at how many people do their holiday shopping without a plan. And, I’ll repeat what Dani says — because it’s that good: “if you don’t have a plan for your money, you can bet that someone else does.” Ever go to the grocery store hungry and without a list? Then you know what you can expect if you holiday shop without a budget or a plan.
2. Don’t be tempted by too-good-to-be-true.
   If something seems too good to be true, chances are it is. Car dealerships are notorious for their year-end deals. Make sure you know exactly what you’re getting and how much you’ll be spending.
3. Get honest.
   Don’t fight a War On Debt all alone. When you’re honest with your friends and loved ones about your financial goals, you’ll most likely receive more support than you could have imagined. In fact, chances are good that you’ll enlist others to join you in your War On Debt.

If you’re interested in waging your own War On Debt, but not sure where to start, I encourage you to check out Dani’s 10 Step War On Debt Battle Plan. This is a step-by-step plan to help get your finances under control, stop going further into debt, and never carry around the burden of debt again. Check it out.

Keep up the good fight!
Laura
danijohnson.com