7 WAYS TO NOT BE OVERCOME BY CONSUMERISM THIS CHRISTMAS!

LET'S BE REAL LADIES; CONSUMERISM AT CHRISTMAS TIME IS CAN BE DESTRUCTIVE!!!! THERE, I SAID IT!!!!!

Families go into debt for gifts, stress builds, marriages begin to suffer, children and adults alike fall captive to greed and the joy of the season can get snatched right out from under us. All at the hand of consumerism!

Here are seven simple ways YOU can fireproof yourself from the damage of consumerism in your life and relationships.

1-) SET A BUDGET!! Before you begin your Christmas shopping decide how much you want to spend on each person.  Set a budget that is WITH IN YOUR FINANCIAL MEANS! Don't go overboard or buy on credit.  Stick to it! If the gift does not fit with in the budget, then it isn't the perfect Christmas gift .

2-) HAVE A PLAN. It's easy to just get the wish-list list and begin buying at ransom. Heck, even to feel obligated to buy everything on it. Do not do that!!! Do yourself a favor and plan a purpose behind each gift. We have always done 4 gifts.  In our home we do: something you want, something you need, something  to wear and something  to read. That is it! Most often the WANT gift is the most expensive. All 4 gifts must fit into the per person spending limit from your BUDGET.... don't forget the BUDGET!

3-) SHOP EARLY! I mean MONTHS early if at all possible. Don't wait until the last minute to buy. When you are consumed with urgency you are more likely to compromise on budget because you just need something last minute and there are few ideas to chose from.

4-) DON'T BUY OUT OF COMPULSION! Confession; I struggle with this at Christmas time! Mostly because we are seriously frugal all year and I use that as an excuse to give myself the permission to splurge at Christmas. NOT SMART!!!

Give yourself the 72 hr rule : If after 72 hrs. it's still the right purchase move then go buy it. If you buy out of compulsion and have buyers remorse DO NOT FEEL BAD RETURNING THE ITEM. I already have a laptop to return this year.🤣

5-) TURN OFF THE ADS! Whether it be on your social media feed or the catalog that comes in the snail mail ; Marketing is in place to hook you into spending.  If you don't engage in the marketing content, then you are less likely to spend.  For example, if I get 5 catalogs in my mailbox, I go in and toss them in the recycle bin WITH OUT EVER LOOKING AT THEM BECAUSE I HAVE A PLAN ALREADY. If I remove the temptation I'm less likely to cave in. I promise this will be the case for you also friend.

6-) GIVE EXPERIENCE GIFTS! This is the route we are taking this year. You can try one big experience gift or many small for ones. For example, gift cards to favorite restaurants,  passes to theme parks or museum etc. For a larger one you can do a family vacay or some annual passes to a favorite park.

7-)  Last but most importantly; REMEMBER  THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!!

( Which is NOT materialism) . Materialism will not fulfill or bring everlasting joy. Only Jesus can do that! Find ways to meditate on the ultimate gift,  the giver of life Himself.

Merry Christmas Lovely ladies. May your day be merry and bright and may all your wallets be tight. HAHA! Get the cheesy play on words? :)