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What’s your main source of holiday stress? Finances, according to 55 percent of respondents to a Family Credit Counseling Service Survey. That’s because women tend to think “bigger is better,” which leads to overspending, says Jennifer Openshaw, author of The Millionaire Zone: Seven Winning Steps to a Seven-Figure Fortune. It’s better to buy a small gift that really speaks to the recipient than something expensive. And by cutting out a few daily expenses, you might just be able to save enough for some meaningful gifts. Bills.com helped us come up with this chart to show you the way.
| Skip this ... | Save this ... | Buy this! |
|---|---|---|
| 12 lattes | $45 | pedicure for Mom |
| 8 lunches out (at $7 each) | $56 | personal-training session for your sister |
| 3 CDs | $50 | one-year subscription to Sports Illustrated for Dad |
| 1 dinner-and-a-movie date | $90 | new gym bag for your sweetie |
| 4 extras at Target (wastebasket, pair of sweats, bag of chips, and a new nail polish) | $50 | golf lesson for your brother |
| 2 manicures | $30 | funky pair of Keds for your niece |
Quick tip
Pay for $1,000 in gifts …
…With a credit card
You’ll spend $400 in interest if you pay it off in a year; $50 in interest if you pay it off by March.
…With a debit card or cash
You’ll save enough money to buy a month’s worth of groceries or get a gym membership.
