It’s about that time now that the holiday season is approaching.

You may have started looking at your balances on your bank statements.

You may also overhear your children making their Christmas lists’ and saying all those expensive toys and sneakers they’ve wanted. Now, you’re probably thinking about putting in some part-time job applications to pick up a second job, just to get you through for the holidays. All while the children are beaming with excitement, you’re going through the motions of anxiety. Listen, we’ve been there and done that (yes, all of it)!

I’m going to share with you some ways that you can get through this holiday season without putting yourself in more debt and alleviate from any added stress. Statistics suggest, that the holiday time is the most stressful time of the year. While parents and caretakers are stressed about making ends meet, they are also pressured with trying to please their children with gifts from their favorite retailers. Others are anxious and lonely because they don’t have any family to even spend the holidays with. It is easy to get caught up in the mainstream as a consumer. However, I urge you not to get yourself stressed and in more debt, but rather plan accordingly and in advance!

Here are some of the ways that you can get started for the season.

1. ASSESS YOUR NEEDS

This is extremely important because you have to understand and identify your needs for your family. Before you can go out and start purchasing expensive toys. You need to figure out what and where are your needs. This allows you to get a baseline of what is needed for your family before going out and making impulsive purchases.

2. PREPARE A BUDGET AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

After you assess your needs the next step will be to plan and prepare a budget. Many people in today’s society, just despise the word budget alone. It’s as if the word budget gives off a sense of limitation that frightens people. However, I come to you very gently and urge you to create a budget. Let’s just face it, budgets are necessary to do any kind of project whether it is minor or major. You need to identify your finances and a budget is where you can implement the numbers. You definitely don’t want to go out and start purchasing items without properly assessing your financial state.

3. PREPARE YOUR CHRISTMAS LIST AND PRIORITIZE

It’s important that you prioritize your shopping list so that you are not overspending or extending. I find that quite often, we as women and caretakers want to purchase gifts for everyone. Seriously, I literally give gifts to my mail worker, my delivery person, my nail technician, my mechanic, and we used to give gifts to every one of my children’s teachers when they were in the public school system. Literally, this is not even half of the individuals that I felt the need to express my appreciation too with a gift for the holidays. So, I know how it can be especially being on a fixed budget. So, do yourself a huge favor. Prioritize your list from the start!

4. UTILIZE AVAIABLE TOY DRIVES

After you create a budget for your holiday shopping. The Next Step will be to utilize your resources properly. Yes, I’m talking about the toy drives and Toys for Tots programs. There are so many resources within your community that are available for families in need. This can be a valuable resource for any family that is on a fixed budget, or that is seeking to gain toys for their children for the holidays. These resources were put in place to meet the need of families. I strongly suggest you outsourcing your resources. This can help manage some of your finances that can go to other expenses, such as for your winter electric bill, and possible holiday travel.

5. UTILIZE AVAIABLE CLOTHING DRIVES

After you utilize your community’s toy drives that’s available. Next will be, the utilization of any kind of holiday clothing drives. If you’re unaware of where to search for these items, you can contact the local 211 number (United Way) and they will be able to further assist you with available resources in your area. There you’ll be able to get a couple of winter items for your children depending on their age, and gender. Don’t shy away from these resources as they have donors from all over that are sponsoring families in need.

6. SHOP AT THRIFT STORES

The thrift store is our #1 go-to for clothing items. You probably heard us mentioned this ins previous texts. This is because it’s totally worth it, hands down! Often times, families are purging some of their unwanted clothing and toys during this special time of year, in preparation to purchase new items. Therefore, around this time a year, we find a lot of brand-new items from the thrift stores. We also buy most of our gifts from here as well. I mostly buy brand-new items and give them away to our friends as gifts. You’ve all heard the saying, “another man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” This is my exact point for shopping at the thrift stores, you’ll never know what’s in store unless you try and shop.

7. UTILIZE YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY

Again, use the resources that you have. Yes, use your family and friends! I remember my children were getting rid of some of their toys because let’s be honest, I don’t like a cluttered house full of toys. Therefore, I instructed them that they were to donate some of their toys. Well, while doing so, we received a few calls from friends who made a request for some of the items we were donating. It was awesome! We didn’t have to take it to the thrift stores but rather, our friends and families came to us and took it off of our hands. Therefore, this could be a resource for you as well.

I am thankful to have shared this list with you all on a fixed budget. I want to encourage you not to get discouraged because every situation is only temporary. Just be strong and trust that your finances will increase, and you will get better with your budget in time.

Tell me what you think about this. Please, leave me your comments and questions if you have any. I truly love reading them from my readers. Please also share this post with any family or friends needs this information! Until next time, remember that we love you and you are purposed for the life that you’re living.