"The holiday season is supposed to be about joy and connection. But let's be honest, it can also bring a lot of financial pressure. And if you've already been dealing with money stress or economic uncertainty for a while, the holidays can become the perfect storm for overspending. Here's what typically happens: You've been restricting yourself all year, maybe because of job struggles or just general financial strain."
"Decide your spending limit today. Not when Black Friday hits, not in December when you're already exhausted. Do it now while you can still think clearly. Because here's what can happen: If you leave yourself to make these decisions when you're emotionally exhausted-or when you're riding that Black Friday high-you risk losing self-control completely. Make the decision when you're in a good place, rather than waiting until you might not be."
The holiday season combines joy and social expectation with heightened financial pressure, especially after prolonged money stress or economic uncertainty. Restricting spending all year can lead to reward deprivation that prompts justifying purchases and impulsive overspending during holidays. Emotional fatigue and marketing events like Black Friday increase the risk of losing self-control. Effective protections include deciding a concrete holiday spending limit early, documenting the amount in a budget category, and sharing spending goals with a trusted friend or partner for accountability. Emphasize that generosity is not defined by dollars and prioritize clear planning to avoid post-holiday financial regret.
Read at Psychology Today
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