Who Will Have the Merrier Christmas This Year?

Some people will likely have a merrier Christmas than some other people. That's just the way of the world. For instance, if you've lost a loved one this year, or are nursing an illness or serious injury (yours or a relative or friend's), Christmas cheer may be muted this year. If so, please accept well wishes and prayers that your sadness or distress allows for a degree of joy despite it all.

While physical, mental, and spiritual health take priority over financial matters, still one's personal finances can influence the level of enjoyment one experiences during the holiday season. So as we sign off for the Christmas holiday, we couldn't resist providing this reference to those of you who take a prudent approach to your personal finances. Such a prudent approach would include, indeed would start with, the concept of "savings." Nothing happens in your financial life until you begin to save some of the money you make. But you knew that right? So what's with this?

Approximately 62% of Americans have less than $1,000 in their savings accounts and 21% don’t even have a savings account, according to a new survey of more than 5,000 adults conducted this month by Google Consumer Survey...

62%!!!

You, on the other hand, have made the effort to set aside some percentage of your earnings over time. You have some resources, some cushion, for life's unexpected and sometimes unpleasant surprises. But with or without surprises, having resources at this time of year produces a boon to your finances. You've got money to spend on presents. You've got money to treat yourself to something or things special for the holiday season. And because you have resources, you won't have to worry when the credit card bill arrives in January because you'll have the money to pay it off.

Those without any resources, on the other hand, know, even as they charge items, or meals, or whatever during the holiday season, that a nasty bill will arrive not long after all the celebrating is over. Who wants to live with that hanging over you during this "season to be jolly"? Not you, of course.

So now, with that in mind, being one of those exceptional Americans, you can now pull out all the stops and celebrate - appropriately and responsibly of course. Christmas will bring the joy and peace that it's reputed to bring, and you'll enjoy the holiday spirit with a modicum of financial security. It's not a bad situation to be in, is it? We suggest you'll be the merrier for it.

If you wish, you can read the whole article describing the dearth of savings on the part of most Americans HERE. Better still, you can set aside all financial matters, and simply look forward to a blessed and happy Christmas with your family and friends.

Merry Christmas!

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