Around the offices of Athleisure Mag, we joke that Halloween is an unofficial kick off to the holiday season whether you celebrate this day or not. It literally marks when you see a number of holiday commercials and focus on the end of the year. Without a doubt, Thanksgiving is another doorway that lets you know that the holiday season is in full swing. The holidays mean increased activity, parties, gifting and so much more. We had a few minutes with Tim Harris, Executive Vice President of Agency for COUNTRY Financial where he has held this position since June 2019 (although he has been with the firm since 1992). He shared with us findings on their Security Index Survey that this financial firm created as well as how and why we should be talking about holiday spending and budgeting with ourselves, family, children etc.
ATHLEISURE MAG: Obviously talking about finances is important year around, but with the holidays coming up, can you tell us why this topic is deemed taboo between couples and families?
TIM HARRIS: It’s really interesting. The Country Financial index is coming out and it found that over 25% of the couples haven’t talked with one another or their kids on this topic. It said that they would rather go to the dentist, pay their speeding ticket or even talk to their kids about the birds and the bees then talk about this with their children or significant others! The holidays is a unique opportunity that if you haven’t had this conversation then to sit down and talk about your budget and to go over your finances.
AM: What is the best way to approach this subject in general before attacking what people even want to do for the holidays?
TH: Yeah, the first thing to do is just to look at the expenditures that you pay out and to create goals in your spending. Then sit with your partner/significant other and then your family to look at what you’re going to do and where you are going to spend especially in this season. The holiday creates a unique situation where people are spending on gifts, but there are more expenses then just that. You have decorations, parties at your home, the big Christmas dinner with your family etc. All of these add to a cost and planning this with your family during this time will set you up appropriately. The study showed that over half of Americans feel happier after the holidays if they have planned and budgeted for them. So you have alleviated your stress and any debt by doing this.
AM: Is it ever too early to create a holiday budget as we go into next year?
TH: At the end of the holiday season, if you are really committed to do this. You would do a post plan in looking at how it worked, were the goals met and depending on what you want to spend for the following year, how you can start that Christmas cash account. I don’t recommend putting it under your mattress; however, you can have a different savings account that you are putting money towards every month to alleviate the stress as the next year comes up.
AM: What does that post plan look like that you were talking about? How does one go about replenishing that account or also paying towards other items that they should have due to the holiday season?
TH: You’re going to have to sit down and understand that budget mindset. You may have to look at things you have to cut. Some people spend on coffee and entertainment and maybe this is an area that you will need to trim back on to catch up or to take those dollars and set them aside for increased expenditures at the end of the year.
AM: What were you the most surprised about in terms of the findings of the survey?
TH: The happier thing was the most surprising if you planned appropriately – you feel more joy! I get that because the holidays can be stressful on people. You have a lot of increased activities and you’re trying to meet he demands of your family and at the end of the day, if you’re stressed about money then that is not the experience that you wanted to have. Really sitting and planning takes the burden off your shoulders. Most families have either one or the other partner doing the budgeting and having that other partner/spouse sitting with you and not just going off and buying things outside of the budget is a benefit. When both people commit and have that conversation, it has them on the same page. Another finding that came out in the survey showed that 25% of families that ended in result comes from financial issues and matters. Being able to alleviate that financial stress with those conversations with proper communication can help you down the road.
AM: This conversation that we’ve been having has been focused on the holidays and all financial decisions should be had between families. What are 2 other areas that people may not have thought about that should be talked about? We have holiday expenditures are there vacation funds of other things we should talk about?
TH: Obviously there is Retirement planning. You need to set money aside for the holidays but you need to do the same for your future. College savings as well for your children. Vacations is another. Most people spend time to plan for their vacations then planning for their future!
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