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1.1 CREDIT CARD HANGOVER; CUT CHRISTMAS SHOPPING EXPENSES.

In January many people open their credit card bills and are suddenly struck with an affliction similar to sticker shock for automobiles; it is called "credit card hangover." "How it the world could I have spent all that money?" they ask themselves. If they have several credit cards, the bills may keep coming and coming.

There is a certain part of the "Christmas spirit" which seems to invite us to throw caution to the winds and worry about these expenses tomorrow.

1.1.1 DOES PLANNING FOR CHRISTMAS TAKE ALL THE FUN OUT?

On the contrary, we think planning allows you to really enjoy the Christmas season. You will have less anxiety about money and have more time for parties and get togethers. You will be less frantic because you will not be carrying a Christmas shopping list around in your head.

During a radio interview this spring, I mentioned that people should be looking for presents in April. Now I knew that many listeners would moan and groan about this. Some would say, "Hey, I just got done with Christmas, I don't want to think about it until next fall. Plus, I don't have any money to spend on something so far away."

As a rule of thumb, the more time a consumer has to buy products, the more bargains can be found. The more advance time a person has to consider buying a gift, the less impulsive the purchase will be.

If you shop for Christmas all year long, you can find great presents for much less money and spread the expense over the entire year instead of having it "balloon" in November and December. You will not be as rushed so that you might actually enjoy all the dozens of Christmas activities.

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