So it is that time of the year… time to spend, spend, spend.  Ok, not really.  We are all too aware that holiday spending can hurt. Its funny how we are frugal for most of the year (or at least I think I am) and then the holidays come and them BAM! My credit card is back up to where it was in the beginning of the year.

 I think that for me and for most of us, shopping is fun and relatively painless at the moment of purchase.  What do I mean by that?  Well, I use my credit cards for most of my purchases and I do not really feel the pain of the purchase, just the euphoria of a new thing.  I feel the pain of my purchase long after the deed is done when I get my credit card statement and I now have to pay the entire balance.  I often look at my statement and say, how in the world did I rack up that much charges! But as I look down at the detail, I recognize that carefree person using that credit card everywhere I go.

As a mother of twins, I now have to really take a step back and look at my expenses.  Caring for children, regardless if you have one or two or more, takes a financial toll on almost everyone. Children come with expenses that sometimes exceeds mine and I have to look for those funds somewhere in my income. 

I am more than generous during the holidays.  I give tips to almost everyone who works in my condo building and give gifts to everyone (and their mama’s!)  But I think this year, I need an about face. I need to actually make a list and not just go out to the shops and say... “OOOO, that’s cute... so and so would like it!”  I need to give myself a budget and stick to it. 

I think rule number one for those who have tried budgeting and have failed is to go back to the old fashion way of paying for purchases, in CASH.  Cash when it leaves our hands hurts more than swiping that credit card.  You actually feel empty and see how fast it leaves. So this year, I am going Cash all the way baby.  I am going to take out what I have budgeted for presents and when it is gone, I am done.

Let’s see if I stick to this… Stay tuned!