TIPS FOR COUPLES MANAGING HOLIDAY FINANCES

1.  Begin with a reality check. How much money can you afford to spend for the holidays.  Consider everything: gifts, entertaining, travel, food.  Be realistic.

2.  Make a mutual decision about spending limits.

3.  Identify which of you tends to be the spender and which tends to be the  saver.

4.  Keep each other fully informed of your spending as you go through this season.

5.  Recognize that money is stored personality. You express your personalities and values in the way you manage money.

6.  Use your creativity and imagination to cut costs of gift:

·       Draw names to limit the number of gifts exchanged.

·       Give a modest donation to the person's favorite charity in their name.

·       Give gifts of things you own that you know they would enjoy.

·       Make gifts from inexpensive materials.

·       Give coupons that are redeemable as favors; such as babysitting, making a favorite meal, cleaning their car or house, making something for them by hand, spending time together doing something they really enjoy.

TIPS FOR MANAGING YOUR TIME AT THE HOLIDAYS

1.   Begin with a reality check.  What are the current time constraints that you can and cannot control?

2.   Make a list of everything you’d like to accomplish.

3.   Divide the above list into 4 parts: 

·       Absolutely essential ...

·       It would be nice ...

·       Optional ...

·       Consider for next year, maybe ...

4.   Sort the items on your list into two groups: feel good and dreaded.

5.   Eliminate or modify the dreaded tasks, if possible.

6.   Combine feel good tasks with dreaded tasks when possible.

7.   Get enough sleep.

8.   Ask for help and delegate tasks.

12 AFFIRMATIONS FOR A STRESS-FREE HOLIDAY

1.  I will remember that stress comes from within me. It is my reaction to situations and events around me.

2.  I will live one day at a time.

3.  I will do one thing at a time.

4.  I will do the best I can, then put it away and not worry about it.

5.  I will learn from my mistakes while being gentle with myself.

6.  I will remind myself that there are always options.

7.  I will treat all people with respect, including myself.

8.  I will take time to enjoy my affectionate relationships.

9.  I will express my feelings honestly each day.

10.        I will attend to my real needs.

11.        I will take time to gently grieve my losses.

12.        I will attend to my spiritual needs in ways that comfort me.