Holiday Cents
by Diana Kabeizi
For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: And the government shall be upon his shoulder: And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).
The festive time is back. It’s time for people to spend money. Business people are eager to receive what the public is going to spend. The decorations are everywhere, the parties have started, shopping malls are busy and the commercials on TV and radio are calling upon people to take advantage of the deals! Christians are also lost in the web of Christmas and trying to relate the whole meaning to what is happening now. The significant message that runs in our churches is how to relate Christmas to the birth of the Saviour of the world.
Let’s talk about us not falling prey to being in debt after Christmas. I agree that we should rejoice since Christmas marks a very important day in our lives – God took it upon Himself to be born in unfavourable conditions for the salvation of mankind. That is something we should celebrate!! However, remembering the birth of the Messiah should set us free rather than put us in bondage. Jesus came to set the captives free (Luke 4:18). Research has shown that people fall most in debt after Christmas and continue paying debts till mid the following year! The Psalmist put it this way: The wicked borroweth and payeth not again: But the righteous sheweth mercy and giveth (Psalm 37:21).
Christmas is the most expensive time of the year and with the current economic situation there is danger of people being gloomy through the festive season. A few tips will help us avoid overspending (not that we should not spend during Christmas, but rather that we should avoid unnecessary spending and thus save). This may come rather late, but I have noticed that many stores usually offer after-Christmas sales for things like decorations, cards and some even cut their prices close to the season. What about taking advantage of those sales to stock it up whatever we have bought for the following season.
1. Make a budget- this could fit in the bigger monthly or annual budget that you have made at the beginning of a period. The principles are the same as here.
2. Eat in rather than out- Remember it is a time that businesses want to make more money, so to avoid the danger of paying ridiculous restaurant prices decide to prepare your Christmas meal at home.
3. Avoid tempting sales- Around this time stores will come up with big red banners advertising up to “red 80% season sales”. There is something about red that usually pulls us into those stores. Even when the prices are half price that does not mean that you have saved money but rather you have spent that “half price” money! Simple rule, if you have not planned for it then you do not need it.
4. Make cash purchases- to monitor how much we are going to spend we should overcome the temptation of using credit cards and overdrafts on the Debit card to buy things we had not planned for.
5. Avoid last minute shopping-this could be through buying those gifts all year round, and taking advantage of season sales during the year. This will help minimise the pressure of trying to get suitable gifts for your loved ones just before Christmas.
I wish you a Happy Christmas as we remember the most important gift ever, Jesus Christ!
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