December’s Destination: Reign In The Money

Maybe you are not trying to impress anyone with your gift giving. Maybe you are not trying to give your child the many Christmases you never had. Maybe you are not afraid to tell your children no you can’t have everything on the list or no, you don’t have the money for everything on the list. Maybe you are not trying to keep up with the big spenders in your family or maybe you are not trying to show off so that people can know you have plenty of money and can buy everyone a gift. Maybe, just maybe.

But maybe you are like me. You just like to give because it makes you happy and it makes others happy. However, maybe you give when you really don’t have it and you put your finances in jeopardy because well, you just don’t want to let others down. I want you to know that it’s okay and in fact, it’s better that you DON’T overgive and put your finances in jeopardy. People will understand. Your children, if you are raising them properly, will understand. You may not can do anything about people not understanding but, you can do something about your children not understanding. Gifts are not food, shelter, and clothing. Gifts are not basic needs. In my home, gifts are not what Christmas is about.

I really like to give but I had to learn to what extent. I wouldn’t want anyone going into debt or into struggle because they were trying to make me happy for one day. I remember the first time I had to tell my daughter she wouldn’t have as much under the tree as she had the last time. She said, “That’s okay mom. That’s that not what Christmas is about and I get things all year.” She understood and I never got her everything on the list anyway. I also remember the first time I couldn’t get my nieces and nephews, siblings, parents or friends anything. I was going through the disability process. Everyone was okay and no one cared but I did. It really bothered me not being able to give.

This year I had a plan. The plan did not go as I expected because well you know, life. So, everyone will not be getting a gift. I mean I could run up a credit card I am paying off. I could go into the new year in the negative but, I will not do that. I will not. And everything and everyone will be okay. Especially, my finances.

~Nikki