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The
holidays are here! I don't know about you,
but they certainly came fast. We know this season
comes every year, yet it can take us by surprise,
and even panic, when we think about it. The cost
as well as extra activities can seem overwhelming
to our already busy lives. That is why I am going
to focus this newsletter on planning and
how important it is for a successful, fun-filled
holiday season.
Let's explore this idea of planning and
ponder a few questions:
- What exactly do you want your holidays to look
like?
- Does your family have the same picture?
- What will it take to make that happen?
- Do you know how you will spend your time?
- Have you discussed with your spouse or significant
other how much money you want to spend?
- The most important question – how will
you pay for your holidays? Will you "pull
out the plastic" and worry about that in
2008?
These are important questions, and each family
member possibly has very different ideas for the
answers. That is why I am stressing the importance
of talking to one another.
Are you ready to do it differently? Imagine what
it would be like to have a stress-free, debt-free
holiday season this year. Yes, it is possible.
The good news is that it is not difficult. This
is where the planning comes in, and with the right
tools, you can succeed! |
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Would
you like support implementing the tools discussed
in this newsletter? Karen McCall's new MoneyMinder® Holiday
Planner will help you have the
discussion as well as put your new vision into
action. Available now through the Financial
Recovery Institute's Products page
at www.FinancialRecovery.com.
For only $39.95, you'll get:
- A dynamic Excel-based program that
helps you plan and track all of your holiday
spending, and provides a summary that tells
you whether or not your plan will actually
work.
- A 25-page e-workbook, Karen
McCall's "10 Steps to The Holiday
of Your Dreams," including practical gift-giving
ideas.
- BONUS: Five Hours
of Holiday Plan Counseling Support with Karen
McCall! If you need help with creating
and following through on a truly successful
holiday plan, take advantage of this unprecedented
opportunity (a$1,250 value
at no extra charge). In up to five,
one-hour counseling calls, national expert
Karen McCall – along with Financial
Counselor Shelley Bayol – will help
you answer questions, resolve challenges,
and create the Holiday of your Dreams. The
call schedule is listed on the Products page—the
first call is November 24, so register now!
Buy the Holiday Planner as an early gift for
yourself and others you care about, receive all
of the above amazing benefits, and truly enjoy
your holidays!
www.FinancialRecovery.com |
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 In order to create your most enjoyable holiday
picture, you need to sit down and have a detailed
conversation. The discussion needs to include what
gifts to buy, for whom, and the amount of money you're
willing to spend for those gifts. You also want to
talk about the extra activities involved in your
holiday season – for
example, the parties, school activities, and any
other festivities that make your holiday season special.
You want to be as specific as possible, making sure
everyone has the same picture.
Once you have decided on the perfect holiday scene,
you want to track the activities on a calendar; this
will eliminate confusion and double booking of events.
The next important item to track is all the expense
involved – what your holidays will cost and
where that money will come from. The clarity that
comes with doing this exercise will go a long way
to make your holidays less stressful, both financially
and emotionally.
Keep calm, relax, and enjoy yourself. Remember, not
only is this a busy time of year, but it can be an
expensive time as well. By using tools #1 and #2,
you will avoid the emotional and financial hangover,
which is often associated with this time of year.
These feelings can lead to making "pressured" decisions,
which may not be the best for you.
For help in implementing these Tools, see above
for the dynamic MoneyMinder® Holiday Planner – plus
a holiday counseling special offer!
Samsara, a condition Buddhists say we all are
challenged by, is characterized by our constantly trying
to satisfy cravings that are themselves not natural
or authentic – the more you satisfy the desire,
the more you want, which does not bring true and lasting
fulfillment. Has this condition been a part of your
holidays in the past? Buying more and more, wanting
more and more, and feeling less and less satisfied?
If that is the case, make this holiday magical by planning
differently, giving real meaning, and focusing less
on getting more "stuff" or cramming one
more activity into your already busy schedule.
Wishing you the Happiest of Holidays,
Shelley Bayol
Next Month: Part 2 of Breaking the Cycle
of Underearning. |
