If you ask anyone what one of the most common causes of stress in their life is, they’ll probably say it’s money. Worrying over whether you will have enough to pay your bills and feed and clothe yourself is a big issue for many people in the United States. It can be especially stressful during the holidays.

Protecting your mental health and money during the holiday season

One of the wonderful parts of the Christmas season is sharing gifts with the people you love and care about. The catch, though, is that these gifts cost money. Money that you might not have. 

Money is already a major source of stress in many people’s lives, so it shouldn’t pile onto your woes during the holidays. Join us as we explore what it can look like to manage your money and protect your mental health during the holidays:

• Set a budget in advance — Before getting into buying a lot of gifts, planning big meals or planning a trip (although hopefully you’re not doing much traveling during the pandemic), you need to review your budget. Take an honest look at how much money you made last month and expect to make in December. Do you have enough left over to do all the things you want without sacrificing any comforts?
  
  Don’t live above your means just to celebrate the holiday with extravagant gifts. Set yourself a reasonable budget and stick to it.

• Be reasonable — Anyone who truly knows and cares about you should not have unreasonable expectations for the holidays. Don’t fret about getting everyone amazing gifts when it’s beyond your means. Give reasonable gifts that are well within your budget, and leave the splurging on those who are more directly close with you.

• Get creative — Do you have any artistic talent? Do you draw, paint, woodwork, leathercraft or do other creative arts? People love unique, creative gifts from people they care about. Take some time to make something creative for a gift and avoid spending money on something from the store.

Centerpoint Church is ready to walk with you on your faith journey

At Centerpoint, our community believes in purpose and passion, and we would love to walk with you on your journey in finding yours. We are currently going through a new sermon series titled “To Hell With Normal.” It’s all about redefining what we consider normal in life as we seek to make our lives more like the way Jesus would have them to be. 

Do you want to grow in your faith or are simply curious about who this Jesus guy is? You’re not alone. We encourage you to listen to our series online and welcome you to come to one of our Sunday morning services in Valrico, Florida.