How to Prevent Financial Stress During the Holiday Season

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Progressive Insurance. The opinions and text are all mine. 

I love the holiday season. Every year I prep early so that I’m a step ahead of the chaos that always ensues. The end of the year is when I’m busiest with work, so if I don’t plan accordingly, I can easily get swallowed up in the holiday frenzy. I enjoy our annual holiday traditions and creating memories with my family. However, some days this mama is just plain tired and would rather be vegging out on the sofa with the kids, watching movies and sipping on hot chocolate.

I’ve also come to the realization that the holiday season is not immune to misfortunes. We’ve had our share of setbacks and it’s definitely a lot harder when everyone around you is celebrating the season. From broken down vehicles to job losses, we’ve experienced it all over the years. Although none of these events could’ve been prevented, I think we could’ve been better prepared for the aftermath. Today I want to share tips to help you prevent financial stress this holiday season and beyond.

How to Prevent Financial Stress During the Holiday Season

Don’t make it about money

Growing up, my mom tried to make the holidays season special for us and I try to do the same for my kids. Instead of focusing on gifts and material things, we try to give back to others, spend time together, and remember the true meaning of Christmas. I truly believe you don’t have to spend a lot of money in order to enjoy the holiday season. Some of our favorite activities that are free include; making holiday treats, driving around the neighborhood to look at Christmas lights, and watching our favorite holiday flicks. Remember that the less you spend, the less financial stress you’ll experience.

Build an emergency fund

I recommend having an emergency fund year-round, but I find that the holiday season can be expensive if we don’t budget carefully. Unfortunately, this puts families in a tight spot when having to decide between Christmas gifts or an unexpected expense. I recommend creating a separate bank account to place your emergency savings. If you can make it an automatic deduction from your paycheck, that’s even better. After some time has passed, you won’t even miss the funds and won’t be tempted to spend it.

Protect your personal assets

If you own a home or a car, or soon will be, you need to protect your assets with insurance. We’re currently in the process of purchasing a home so we’re already gathering quotes for our homeowner’s insurance. I know the process can be overwhelming when you have no clue what you’re doing, but keeping your personal assets protected should be taken lightly. HomeQuote Explorer by Progressive Insurance, allows you instantly compare home insurance rates and coverages from multiple companies side-by-side. Simply enter your information once, and they’ll match you with a policy based on your answers.

We never think that an unfortunate event could happen to us until we experience one. If you’ve ever been affected by a house fire or an automobile accident, you know how scary these can be. You don’t need to get overwhelmed by the what ifs when it comes to your insurance coverage. Talk to Progressive Insurance that can help you understand your unique needs for the life stage you’re currently in. They can’t protect you from the holiday craziness, but they can help protect your home and auto!

Are you in the process of purchasing a new home or car? How are you making sure your personal assets are covered? I’d love to hear from you!