Halfway to the Holidays!

Let’s Talk About the Christmas Credit Card Hangover

In the U.S., going into debt to buy holiday gifts is so normal, we barely notice it. By April, you’ll hear radio ads gently suggesting you use your tax refund to clean up the holiday mess you made four months ago. Like… what?

Spending hundreds (or thousands!) on gifts in December—and then paying interest on those gifts until summer—is just kind of... expected. Shrug. “Everyone does it,” right?

But here’s the thing: just because it’s common doesn’t mean it’s fine.

What if it didn’t have to be that way?

What if, instead of starting the New Year with a credit card hangover, you rolled into January knowing every gift was already paid for?

Imagine finding the perfect gift for someone in October—something that screams them—and buying it guilt-free, because you've already got money set aside for holiday giving. That feeling? That’s pure joy. No dread, no debt, no dealing with that pit-in-your-stomach credit card bill in January.

That’s how YNABers (aka people who use YNAB) feel. YNAB helps you plan ahead for the things that matter to you—including joyful, generous gift-giving. If giving makes your heart full, it deserves a spot in your money plan. YNAB helps you figure out what you can afford to give without sacrificing your peace.

And listen—it’s not too late to make this your reality for the 2025 holidays. Start now, and YNAB will do the math for you. It'll tell you exactly how much to set aside each month so that by December, you’re walking into holiday season cool, calm, and paid up.

No debt. No guilt. Just joy.

🎁Want help getting there? I’ve got you.
I’m a YNAB Certified Coach, and I work with real people like you who want to ditch the stress and feel confident about their money. If you’re ready to build your holiday spending plan, book a free discovery call with me. Let’s build a money plan that fits your life—and your gift list.