 Reasons to be Cheerful !
Being in Financial Control for Christmas
As I was packing up my shopping at the checkout the other day, I was having a conversation with the checkout lady about the cost of Christmas. She was bemoaning the fact that she would have to work lots of extra shifts in order to raise the money needed to buy her son the laptop he wanted for Christmas. When she told me her son was six years old, I was tempted to offer some coaching to challenge her to say ‘no’ to her young son’s request and buy something for him within her financial means! However, it got me thinking about how to look at this current financial crisis by using my PROD approach to spending this Christmas .......
Planning
 Make a list of all those you have to buy for this Christmas & keep it in your purse.
Set a budget for each person, (based on your total budget) and stick to it.
Think carefully about what you are going to buy for each person and jot it down for each person on your list. Will you have a theme this year? Whatever you decide, a present bought with the recipient in mind is much more welcome than an expensive, inappropriate purchase.
Research
 If you see something in a magazine that would be ideal for someone on your list,(and it’s within your budget), make a note of getting it for that person. Is there anything else from the same company/shop for someone on your list, to save on postage/traipsing around the shops?
Use the current situation to your advantage; shops are definitely feeling the pinch and are offering some fantastic deals at the moment. Look at Smiths half-price book offers and Sainsbury’s, Boots & M & S ‘3 for 2’ offers.
Use the internet and seek out the ‘sales/clearance’ buttons. Again, see how many presents you can buy from one site to save on postage not to mention crowded shops and car parking fees!
Check out www.myVoucherCodes.co.uk for the latest deals, discounts and special offers to save money this Christmas.
Organisation
 Perhaps you feel you have left it too late this year to implement all the above but it’s not too late to become organised for next year!
Make your 2009 present list one of your New Year’s resolutions.
Take advantage of all the sales, special offers throughout the year
Set a monthly ‘presents to buy’ list to spread the cost evenly throughout the year.
Discipline
 Referring back to my supermarket checkout lady, do you have the mindset to be disciplined with your budget this Christmas? Will you give in to your demanding children & be sucked in by all the latest gizmo’s, gadgets and toys advertised on the TV?
Try visualising how you will feel if you face the New Year with a huge credit card bill to pay off.
Now imagine how you will feel if you have managed not to overspend.
Which feels best?!
Happy Shopping and Happy Christmas !
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