'Tis the Season to Shop...and Hopefully MORE!

We normally are so conditioned to shop, to spend, and to buy more stuff. We do, after all, live in a consumption-based economy, where retailers rule and they are extremely influential. Like this week's is Thanksgiving, it is when we remind ourselves to be grateful for all that we are given and have received, but don't forget to also remind ourselves to be the driver of our finances, including our spendings. 

Here are some questions to ask ourselves during this retail-driven Holiday Season:

*What things can I give, donate, sell and just throw away to make room for new/more important things?

*How will this purchase affect my current spending and savings plan?

*Do I need to buy/spend on this item now or can I wait on it?

*Am I clear on my spending and saving priorities during this Holiday season?

And if we "need" to buy something, use these tips:

*Plan, Compare, Consider New vs. Open Box vs. Refurbished vs. Used, Search for Coupons and Rebate ensure you get the best deal and purchase. 

*Always ask, do I really need this or do I just want this now? 

*What benefits, if any, will I get from buying this item? For example:

  -will this item (ie: game, etc.) distract me more from my schooling, work and/or something more important towards my specific goal of ______?

  -will this item cost me more later with maintenance, ongoing cost of operation, add-on purchases, unnecessary demand of my time, etc.?

  -will this item increase my productivity, save me more time, make me more money, make my life just overall easier, etc.?

  -what great advantages or benefits will I receive from owning this item, etc.? 

As a last thought, imagine if we are conditioned to save and pay ourselves first and more vs. just to spend? How would our lives be? Again, we are the ones in control of our finances, so let's by being more aware of our economic reality and choose this Holiday season to start being better because of it!

Happy Thanksgiving and Holiday season to everyone!