Students
get creative with
Christmas spending
By
Allison Baldwin
Online Forty-Niner
Contributing Writer
With the onset of the holiday season, students are feeling the financial pressure
to provide gifts for friends and loved ones. College students are notorious
for being short on cash, so many have to find creative ways to provide
gifts without breaking the bank.
“
I’m crafty,” said sophomore broadcast journalism student Samantha
Kercheval. “I make gifts or use my fiance’s money.”
Junior psychology student Thomas Gannon said, “I usually spend money
I don’t have to buy stuff for people. I bank on getting money for Christmas
to cover [the gifts].”
Professor Clyde D. Stoltenberg, director of the International Business Programs,
advises, “Create a budget before you go out shopping, whether it is for
others or for yourself. Then stick to that budget.”
One strategy is to write out a budget and a gift list at the same time. Writing
a list provides a chance to think about meaningful gifts and makes costly impulse
purchases less common.
“
I budget my money,” said undeclared freshman Samantha Hull. “I
only spend money I have and it’s always in cash.”
Many people choose to use credit cards when they purchase presents, but credit
card purchases are generally 112 percent higher than those made with cash,
according to the Family Life Facts Web site, flc.org., so people intending
to buy a few things end up spending much more than they intended.
“
People typically keep track of checks, but [they] don’t watch their
credit card purchases until the statement comes,” Stoltenberg said. “Find
a way to keep track of credit purchases. Otherwise, it surprises you when
the statement comes.”
On average, consumers are willing to spend 30 percent more on something if
they pay using credit cards than they would with cash, according to flc.org.
To avoid stress next holiday season, Stoltenberg recommends shopping early.
When something pops up a friend or relative would love, he advises buying it
and storing it somewhere until the holidays.
“
I tend to buy gifts throughout the year rather than feel pressure during
the last two or three weeks,” Stoltenberg said.
“
Then, around Thanksgiving, I look to see what has accumulated.”
Instead of stressing over gifts, Stoltenberg recommends putting the focus on
enjoying time with family and friends.
“
Take care of yourselves, and don’t overdo financially or otherwise,” Stoltenberg
said. “Come back rested for the spring semester.”
|
