Christmas in July

by Shelly Ray,

Lewis County Extension Director

As many of you know, we created a Christmas Savings Challenge back when the year 2021 began. Many joined this challenge, some even added to it, and now have either half or all of their money saved and ready for the holidays.

This challenge began as a motivation to help families look to the holiday season to bring more joy and cheer back into their lives. Expectations from society are strong in the area of holiday gift giving, house decorating, and family dinners. The holidays can quickly get out of hand and create more stress and depression and can suck the joy right out of the season, especially if you are not prepared.

Putting in some time and forethought into the upcoming holiday season can allow you to embrace and enjoy the season instead of stressing over how to cover the costs of gifts. Although the Christmas Savings Challenge ends in July, feel free to follow this plan as a guide to help you during such a stressful season.

Of course, adding to the dollar amount each week will give you more when the time comes. This guide uses a simple, inexpensive, and more feasible amount that you will less likely notice being gone. When you first look at the guide below, you may think to yourself “that amount is not going to help purchase anything.” You may be correct with those larger purchases but think about those unexpected gifts that you feel obligated to return or even in January when the holiday season seemed to drain the wallet and all your bill money was spent on gifts. Any amount is better than none so start your savings at a local bank or use a more simple method placing your cash into envelopes each week.

For more information on savings tips, please contact the local Extension office at 796-3091.

Weekly December 1, 2021

$5 $90

$10 $180

$15 $270

$20 $360

The University of Tennessee offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion or veteran status and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. UT extension offers equal opportunities in programs and employment