Chris Writing Anything

In this world, one must think about money…especially during the holidays. If you’re a single man, like myself, there’s a bit of yin and yang when balancing that holiday budget. So, since I’m mapping out my holiday financial strategy, I’ll tell you how my budgeting gets foiled every Christmas.

First off, I had mentioned that, when considering the season’s cost, there’s yin and yang…or good and bad. To explain further, I’ll start off with the good.

When my family is celebrating a holiday, my mother usually prepares the feast….and they usually rock. For instance, Thanksgiving Day was a small gathering, and it included a total of eight people…I ate so much, I probably gained ten pounds. I can certainly do that, because, although our party totaled only eight, my mother made enough food for twenty-five. That really didn’t surprise me, if she’s cooking for parties, my mother always over shoots…always.

With all that left over grub, and even if I’m over fifty years old, Mom doesn’t want to see her bachelor son starve. Yes, every major US holiday, okay, maybe not the Fourth of July, but if there’s a cause for a small family get together, I usually drive home with a trunk full of food. And come to think of it, yep, during a Fourth of July cookout, I came home with a pile of brats and burgers. I may be old, but Mom still spoils me.

Anyways, as you might imagine, extra food means lower grocery bills. When you consider my tight budget, you’ll realize just how valuable those bonus meals are.

Now, I’ll give you the bad, that is to say my nemesis to my holiday economics. And I guess this is a no brainer, but eh, I’ll mention it anyways. Like any Christian, this holiday season, I’m going to do some shopping.

All told, I have thirteen people to shop for. This is where budgeting gets tricky. There’s no way a lower grocery bill cancels the damage gift getting incurs. But, eh, I am ahead on my car payments, so, maybe, I could just skip a payment…the interest will pile up, but, versus a credit card rate, I’ll take the hit.

Okay, back to the good, and what really negates the present expense. I have to admit it, yes, I do count on it, anyways, my parents’ monetary gift helps a lot. This year, a portion will probably help pay for my car registration.

Another great economic bonus, and this comes from Walmart, anyways, through the holidays, I’m allowed ten percent off on my grocery bill. Oh, and by the way, Walmart also offers their employees 15 percent off on a one time purchase. Granted there’s a narrow time span for that discount, but that’ll put a dent in my shopping total.

I know, as I write this down, that I speak for myself. Other people have added expenses, and my obligations are minimal. Granted, I’ve omitted my electric bill…that’s a huge bank account demon. I own an EV and my house is adorned with lights, so that talley will soar.

Even if I’m not going to say it’s bad, one can’t forget, with the season of giving, there’s got to be charitable donations. Yet, I’m always donating a few dollars, and, because I am, that expense is figured into every paycheck.

Anyways, those are my holiday financial challenges. Thus far, I’ve responded well. I’ve cut my daily spending; giving me a few extra dollars towards family gifts, and I plan on giving myself something as well.

Yet, I know, and, when I began this post, I had started this bit by mentioning my foiled holiday budgets. It hasn’t happened yet, but, Believe me, something will probably destroy my strategy. Anyways, I hope everyone endures this Christmas season. Who knows, maybe, along the way, I’ll get creative and write another lonely bachelor Christmas post. Until then…

Happy Holidays!