Christmas is Killing Me!

I am doing everything in my power to not increase my credit card debt this month… including transferring some money over from savings. We actually dipped just under $10000 in savings again (by $21), but we are putting money from our next two paychecks into savings so it will only be for a week.

But, again, I feel like I’m having to play catch up!

I know we dug ourselves into this mess and that no one else can get us out, but I’m sick and tired of every month being a battle to not increase our debt. Currently, the battle is because of of Christmas.

I did not plan well for Christmas. I understand that is my short coming, but knowing that I am going to have money to pay for it is not helping me right now.

This goal to get out of debt in one year is really quite ambitious. In fact, right now I’m starting to wonder if we will be able to do it. We are supposed to be paying $1600 a month towards our debt and so far we have only managed to decrease our debt by a couple hundred dollars each month. (There is a silver lining there in that we didn’t increase our debt; but it is not decreasing at nearly the rate I would like!)

This feeling I’m having that “Christmas is killing me” is helping me to plan for next year. I love that it is helping me to plan for next year, but I hate the feeling of Christmas being a burden. Like most people, Christmas is my absolute favorite holiday; but right now, I want to get out of debt and through Christmas without adding to our debt at all. And truth be told it remains to be seen if that's going to be possible.

I will just keep plugging away at our debt and buying Christmas gifts and necessities as frugally as possible.

Regardless of our debt, I do love this time of year; and that is what I need to keep in sight! I need to focus on the time spent with family, traditions, and (as cliche as it might be) remember the reason for the season.  By doing that, I will be able to enjoy the Christmas season and not fall further into debt.

If we can stick to our plan, this time next year, I'll be writing a post about being debt free and how it feels to pay for Christmas with cash!

Wish us luck!