According to the barrage of special offers arriving in many mailboxes, the only happy holiday is one with a price tag. Don't believe it, say family resource management specialists with Iowa State University Extension. You don't have to spend lots of money in order to have the holiday spirit. Many people overspend because they feel trapped by holiday traditions and expectations. Holiday traditions die hard.
Some families expect each member to give a gift to everyone in the family.
Other families try to get the kids whatever they ask for. Still others travel 600 miles to see all the grandparents. If you do use credit, keep track of the total amount of credit used. It's best to stay within a budgeted amount that can be paid off before incurring finance charges. Sometimes people need to break traditions and change expectations, especially when those traditions leave a family debt-ridden in the new year.