You may be enjoying the pumpkin décor and cozy sweaters in your part of the country, but it won’t be long before the season of family gatherings and giving takes place. For many individuals this time of year can be a strain on their finances, mainly due to the lack of preparation.
Before you begin to decorate the Christmas tree, consider ways to prepare for the season before it arrives:
- Before you start saving, first establish what your planned expenses will be. How many people do you need to buy gifts for? What is the estimated cost of each? How many gatherings do you anticipate attending and do you need to bring a gift/dish? Do you plan to donate to a church or charity? Start planning now to give you an idea of how much money you’ll need to set aside.
- Define expectations: If your list stretches farther than your dollars, communicate with appropriate individuals to see what solutions you can create to make the season affordable. Perhaps you provide one gift for a family instead of one for each family member or set a dollar amount limit per gift to keep things in check. Remember, you’re likely not the only person trying to afford these purchases, so begin talking now to ease the impact later.
- Experiences over things: While we all enjoy receiving a new gift, the novelty wears off fairly quickly. One thing that will stick around much longer is experiences with those you love. Perhaps everyone chips in for a trip together, or you come together to serve those in need. Rather than simply consuming, consider ways to give back and enjoy life together with those you love.
Did You Know?
Your employer sponsors this financial wellness benefit from Francis. The benefit connects you with down-to-earth financial planners who educate and advise on any money matters…without the sales pitch. We are exclusively engaged by employers like yours and have no investment products to sell, so you can feel confident that you will always receive objective advice.
Your financial planner will help you set priorities and achieve your money goals, without judgment or financial jargon. Know that all discussions are kept strictly confidential. This service is offered as an employee benefit with no per-session co-pays, so you can meet with a financial planner as often as you wish. Services are paid by your retirement plan or your employer.
Connecting with a financial planner is easy! Here’s how:
- Visit FrancisWay.com > Services > Participant Portal
- Call (866) 232-6457
Download the free mobile app (Search for Francis LLC)
