This is the time when the offers are the order of the day in the stores, bringing novel and typical products of the season, which means for consumers a strong temptation to spend too much. Situation very difficult to overcome if not prepared.
Once the festive effervescence has passed, if we were not careful and aware of the expenses incurred, it is not surprising that next January comes accompanied, in addition to the good intentions, with a reality full of debts and pockets thin, rickety or nonexistent And many other accounts payable.
Therefore, it is important to anticipate, plan expenses, as well as make the payment of debts. Learning to take care of the Christmas bonus is for the benefit of your personal finances.
Control your expenses and your impulses.
More than avoiding spending the money that well deserves a worker, the important thing is to learn to control their impulsive purchases and to use their money with intelligence, reason why controlling the expenses will avoid a beginning of year with debts.
Comparing prices before deciding on articles of the basic basket, medicines, appliances, toys and seasonal products, among which are Christmas, is a strategy that will significantly reduce excessive expenses.
Do not say goodbye to your Strenna.
This amount is regularly used in the purchase of clothing and footwear, expenses for the festivities, but mainly in the purchase of gifts and toys. However, there are those who also take it as a way to get out of debt, both for the payment of credit cards as the one for family loans or friends. It can also be a relief to resist the increase in prices and debts acquired, known as the January cost.
Apply prudence with expenses and reserve a part of the Christmas bonus to liquidate or restructure debts is a useful strategy to not start the year with some finances affected by the euphoria decembrina.
To prepare a contingency plan and take advantage of our best bonus, we recommend:
Make a spending plan and stick to it.
Avoid impulsive shopping: carry only the necessary money.
Give priority to the important and urgent, paying the debts.
From the budget allocated for the item of gifts, make a list estimating how much to spend on each gift, find useful items and quality, and buy them in advance.
Choose the menu for Christmas and New Year dinners, making a shopping list before going to the supermarket and follow it to the letter, buying what is really necessary.
Use credit cards rationally and with serenity.
Take the time to compare prices and features of products or services, to choose the best options.
Always demand the receipt and / or invoice, in case of need a later claim.
For appliances, request a guarantee in writing.
Save.
It is very advisable to distribute the bonus in an appropriate way, dividing in three areas all of them:
pay debts
consumption
saving
Although it is a more or less representative sum, very few people think of saving as a destination for their Christmas bonus, and prefer to spend everything. If the habit of saving and investing is encouraged, this bonus may increase its size and, therefore, the benefits that contribute will be greater.
Start the year well.
Starting the year in debt, with a pledge in the effort or looking to stabilize in the coming months, is a bad habit that is corrected only if we change the way we spend. If we dedicate ourselves to enjoy without meditating, for having spent too much, good wishes will remain only in that.