Overspending @ MindSay 
Why do I do this? Every year I diligently purchase my Christmas gifts for everyone on my list, even adding some that don't deserve it. This year I've been sick so I don't think any one deserves it. What did I do. I treated (is that a word?) well, I went on a major spending spree on myself on well, let's just leave the subject matter off the record for now. But all the presents I've bought throughout the year, the last month, and several weeks, none of them are wrapped. I just can't bring myself to do them. Even tonight I just can't. Maybe I should try. Ok, I'll break down and try. All the wrapping paper is downstairs with the scissors, the tape, the ribbon. Why can't I just f-in do it. No, I want to dress my dolls and enjoy myself. Ok, sorry, going off on a rant.
But in other news. . . On the 16th, the last day of school in the am on my daughter's desk, low and behold what should appear . . . drum roll please a little barbie cap and mittens, well they are actually gloves set. They appeared on her desk. Since it was the last day of school and the gifts had to be given out to the "kringles" she brought it home. I told her it was hers to keep. LOL. Someone must have felt guilty. Or their parents must have read to "..." on the tag and made them return it. LOL.
This is the time of year when the retail world does everything
it can to encourage you to overspend. The hope of those who
measure consumer spending is that your need to counteract
feelings of deprivation by buying the things you want will be
greater than your need for financial sanity.
As a matter of fact, the Christmas season started a bit early
this year in the US--before Halloween. The rumor I heard was
that merchants wanted to get the Christmas spirit going before
people experienced their first heating bills.
Now is the time to create a holiday spending strategy that
will satisfy one of your more sober wants--that of wanting to
feel more comfortable about your financial position. Here are
some factors to take into consideration:
1. Set some financial goals for next year, including how much
surplus you would like to realistically create by next year at
this time. With those goals in mind, how much can you afford
to spend on gifts this year while being true to yourself.
2. Ask yourself if holiday spending is a device you use to
keep yourself in a habitual 'less than' position. Are you
supporting your less-than habit and identity by overspending
during the holidays. You have the option not to do this.
3. A lot of overspending results from fear about what others
will think of you. This kind of spending often results in
feelings of shame and regret. Make you your first priority and
what you think of you of utmost importance.
4. Make a decision now as to how much money you are going to
spend on sending cards and giving gifts. Allocate specific
amounts to each person on your list. If you usually ignore
pre-made plans, take someone with you when you go shopping and
tell them how much you plan on spending.
In my Build Your Money Muscles book, I suggest having a
prosperity buddy. If you have one, share your plan with your
buddy and call the person before and after you go shopping. If
you use a cell phone, take it with you and when you have the
urge to overspend, call your buddy.
This is a good time to read my new book. It will help you put
your finances in perspective as well as showing you why you
behave the way you do with your money. There are also lots of
suggestions for establishing better financial habits and
creating a healthy financial identity.
Read more about the book at Build Your Money Muscles