As 2024 winds to a close and the holiday season approaches, it?s a time to reflect, connect, and celebrate the blessings in our lives. But for many, this season also brings financial stress as we try to balance the desire to give generously with the need to stay financially responsible. The pressure to spend on gifts, travel, and gatherings can weigh heavily?leaving us feeling more overwhelmed than joyful.

Here?s the good news: Generosity and financial stewardship don?t have to be at odds. In fact, with a thoughtful approach, the two can work in harmony, allowing you to experience the fullness of the season without sacrificing your comfort or long-term goals.

In this article, we?ll explore:

• How gratitude can inspire better financial habits.
• Ways to give meaningfully without derailing your financial goals.
• Practical steps to ensure your holiday spending aligns with your values.

Let?s dive in and embrace the heart of the holiday season?one that reflects love, purpose, and stewardship.

1. The Transformative Power of Gratitude

Gratitude is more than just a feel-good emotion; it?s a powerful mindset that shapes how we view our finances, our relationships, and the world around us. In a culture that often encourages more consumption, gratitude invites us to pause and appreciate what we already have.

Here?s how gratitude can positively influence your financial decisions:\

• It Keeps Spending in Check.
• When we focus on what we already have?our blessings, relationships, and resources?we?re less tempted to overspend on things we don?t truly need. Gratitude acts as a natural guardrail, helping us avoid impulsive purchases and holiday spending traps.

• It Promotes Intentional Giving.
• Gratitude shifts the focus from ?How much can I spend?? to ?How can I make an impact?? Recognizing the abundance in your own life inspires generosity that?s rooted in purpose, whether that?s donating to a meaningful cause or giving thoughtful, non-material gifts.

• It Reduces Financial Stress.
• Gratitude has a calming effect that helps us make financial decisions with clarity, rather than from a place of pressure or guilt. When you?re grounded in thankfulness, you can approach your holiday budget with confidence and peace of mind.

Practical Tip:

Consider starting a daily gratitude practice during the holiday season. Each evening, write down three things you?re grateful for. You might be surprised at how this simple exercise not only boosts your mood but also encourages contentment?and smarter spending.

2. Giving with Intention: How to Share Generously Without Overspending

The holidays are often seen as a time for lavish gifts, but true generosity isn?t about price tags?it?s about thoughtfulness. Meaningful giving can happen on any budget if you approach it with intention.

Here are some practical strategies to give joyfully and responsibly this holiday season:

• Create a Holiday Budget (and Actually Stick to It).
• Start by deciding how much you can afford to spend overall. Then, break it down into categories: gifts, travel, entertainment, charitable donations, etc. Be realistic about your limits and prioritize cash spending to avoid lingering credit card debt in 2025.

• Rethink What ?Gifts? Mean.

• Experiential Gifts: Instead of buying more ?stuff,? give experiences that create memories?like concert tickets, a family game night, or a cooking class.
• Handmade or Personalized Items: A photo album, a handwritten letter, or a homemade craft can carry far more meaning than store-bought gifts.
• Time and Acts of Service: Offer your skills or time as a gift?for example, babysitting for a busy parent, cooking a meal, or helping with home repairs.

• Plan Charitable Giving Strategically.
• Giving back is one of the most rewarding aspects of the holiday season, but it?s important to be intentional with your contributions:

• Vet Charities: Use tools like Charity Navigator to ensure your donations are going to reputable organizations.
• Maximize Tax Benefits: Donating appreciated stock or using a donor-advised fund can increase the impact of your generosity while reducing your tax liability.
• Think Locally: Supporting small, community-focused initiatives can have a direct and immediate impact on those in need.

• Engage the Whole Family.
• Teaching your children about generosity can be as simple as involving them in giving decisions. Let them help choose a charity, donate a portion of their allowance, or participate in volunteer activities as a family.

3. Aligning Your Finances with Your Values

The holidays present a unique opportunity to pause and reflect on how your financial habits align with your core values. It?s not just about how much you spend?it?s about whether your spending choices reflect what truly matters to you.

Ask yourself these reflective questions as you plan your holiday budget:

• Am I prioritizing experiences and relationships over material possessions?
• Does my spending reflect my faith, values, or commitment to stewardship?
• Am I setting an example for my family?especially younger generations?of thoughtful and intentional financial choices?

Aligning your spending with your values doesn?t mean cutting out joy or celebration. It simply means making choices that bring you closer to your vision of a life well-lived. Whether that?s redirecting funds to a family experience, supporting a charitable cause, or gifting wisely, intentional spending leads to deeper fulfillment.

4. Preparing for 2025: Let the Holidays Be a Reset

While the holidays may feel like a sprint to the finish line, they?re also the perfect time to start thinking ahead to the new year. Use this season as a financial reset?an opportunity to take stock of where you stand and where you want to go.

Here are a few actionable steps to end 2024 strong and set yourself up for success in 2025:

• Review Your Financial Goals: Did you accomplish your 2024 goals? What adjustments need to be made for the new year?
• Track Your Spending: Use this holiday season to evaluate whether your current budget is realistic or needs tweaking.
• Schedule a Check-In with Your Advisor: A year-end review can help ensure you?re taking advantage of tax-saving opportunities, maximizing retirement contributions, and entering the new year with clarity.

By treating the holiday season as both a time of reflection and preparation, you?ll head into 2025 feeling confident and equipped to navigate your financial journey.

Generosity Rooted in Stewardship

The holiday season is about so much more than spending?it?s about connection, celebration, and making an impact in the lives of those around us. Gratitude and generosity are the heart of this season, and when paired with financial stewardship, they can create a holiday that?s both meaningful and manageable.

Let this be the year you give from a place of joy and intention, knowing that every decision?whether it?s a thoughtful gift, a charitable donation, or simply staying present with loved ones?reflects your values and priorities.

If you?d like help creating a holiday budget, planning your charitable giving, or preparing for the new year, our team at PPFG is here to support you. Together, we can ensure your financial decisions bring you comfort and align with your vision for the future.

Here?s to a season of abundance, gratitude, and generosity as we close out 2024 and look ahead to all that 2025 will bring.

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For a comprehensive review of your personal situation, always consult with a tax or legal advisor.  Neither Cetera Advisor Networks LLC nor any of its representatives may give legal or tax advice.