11/16/2023
When we think of self-care, we are often more likely to think of “treat yo’self” than we are things like having a spending plan. Finances should be an important part of autumn self-care because the end of the year can often lead our spending way off track. Even people who don't feel financially burdened like to save money when they can! Here are 7 financial self-care tips and ways to implement them.
1. Discuss with friends and family lower cost ways to celebrate. Reduce spending limits or skip the gift exchange altogether. Taking the focus off of material things may be just what everyone needs to relax and enjoy the holidays fully.
2. Get comfortable with saying no to additional spending. Although the holidays encourage generosity, that doesn’t mean you should ignore your own needs. If you feel pressured to spend more on gifts or lavish parties than you feel comfortable with, give yourself permission to just tell people, “No.”
3. Establish a realistic holiday spending budget. Unexpected expenses can add up quickly during the holidays if you’re not sure how much you plan on spending. Making a budget can help you know how much you want to spend and how you want to spend it.
4. Make shopping lists and stay organized. A shopping list can help you keep track of your food shopping, gift shopping and more — while making sure you’re sticking to your budget.
5. Download apps for rewards, discounts and/or cash back. You may know how to take advantage of credit card rewards, but check out apps that also allow you to receive rewards and cash back.
6. Practice mindfulness when you're feeling stressed. Sometimes taking the time to pause and just recognize that this can be a stressful time of year can be helpful in and of itself. Give yourself some grace and take the time to understand your feelings so that you can deal with them, breathe, reset and reframe the situation.
7. Find some joy and practice self-care. When feeling stressed out, it’s easy to forget about treating yourself. But treating yourself doesn’t have to mean buying yourself a material item; it can also mean taking a walk or letting yourself take a break. Take a step back from the chaos and do something that brings you joy. Maybe it’s coloring or taking a long, hot shower. Whatever it may be, don’t forget that you can and should treat yourself.