The holidays do not need to cause financial stress. In the Geary County KSU Research and Extension Newsletter, Extension Agent Deb Andres included some tips from an article written by Barbara O'Neill, Extension Specialist in Financial Resource Management from Rutgers Cooperative Extension. Ten steps to reduce stress, expenses and regrets can include creation of a holiday spending plan, matching expenses to income, timing charges on credit cards so bills can be paid in full when they arrive and using credit cards wisely by not charging more than you can repay. Some other tips include making a gift list with a monetary value for each gift so the cost remains within your overall holiday budget, look for bargains, set realistic expectations and make a gift list.

Creation of a plan for holiday finances can reduce stress