Start Preparing for Holiday Shopping Now So You Don't Hate Yourself In January.

There are 10 Saturdays until Christmas 2023. 51 days until Hanukkah. Target and Costco have their decorations out. Hallmark is starting their Christmas movies on October 20th. Before we know it, it will be 2024. It might seem early, but as soon as you can get a game plan set, you can start to set yourself up for success.

---

The National Retail Federation (NRF) defines the holiday spending period as the months of November and December. Last year, 2022, consumers spent $936.3 billion, the highest ever recorded holiday sales.

---

I suggest a few things to prepare. First, do a quick budget list of what you bring in (income) and what you spend (expenses). Looking at your bank and credit card statements for the last few months can give you a good estimate on what the next few months may be like for your spending. Find a notebook, and start logging gift ideas, cost, where you found it. Start making a meal plan for the holiday dinner. If you are having guests, set up a list of who can bring items to balance out the spending. If you start now, you can get an idea of what the item costs and be ready when they go on sale. Again, if you start sooner, there will be (hopefully) less stress around the holidays and you'll have what you need. And best of all, you won't have a spending hangover in January. And if you feel yourself start to "panic spend", stop and take a moment. At the very least, make sure you can return the item. See if you are buying it to buy it so someone has something to open. One or two thoughtful gifts is much better than 5 or 6 random things because you weren't sure what to buy. (Disclaimer- not everyone may feel that way, so do what works for you!)

---

As a money and budget coach, I help people get started with budgeting and setting up a game plan that works for them and their circumstance. Click HERE if you want to learn more about Budget Your Life and how I got started. I love budgeting but I also love shopping and gift giving, so when I can do both it makes me smile! Check out my Amazon Favorites HERE and happy shopping! (#ad) (This is an affiliate link, if you shop from my link I will get a very small commission and it will not alter your cost at all!)

Have you started planning or shopping for this holiday season?

• Yes, I started already!
• No. I'll start a few days before.
• What holidays?