4 Tips for Paying Off Your Holiday Debt

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Holiday debt is the gift that keeps on giving. Here are concrete steps that'll help you avoid the average $1,581 in debt Americans took on for Christmas last year.

My favorite part of the holiday season is buying gifts for loved ones. I am our family’s chief present buyer, and I take my job seriously.

Since our kids were born, I’ve spent considerable time picking the perfect Christmas gifts for everyone. From the latest tech gadgets to an adventure to New York City, I never fail to surprise my family on Christmas morning.

While the presents I gave brought joy to my kids’ faces, the credit card bills that showed up in January were less than enjoyable. In recent years, I’ve learned how to buy thoughtful gifts while sticking to our Christmas budget.

I’m not alone in spending too much during the holidays. According to a 2022 LendingTree holiday spending survey, 35% of Americans incurred holiday debt with an average total of $1,581. That is up over 24% from the previous year’s average holiday debt bill of $1,249[1].

As a husband and parent of four teenagers, I want to spoil my family with gifts to show how much I care for them, but it’s become too easy to overspend, no matter what budget I set.

A Simple but Effective Process to Reduce Holiday Debt

If you racked up some debt over the holidays, don’t worry—there are ways to get back on track. Debt can mess up your plans and finances if it hangs around too long and begins to accumulate. Here are a few steps to help you pay off your holiday debt and get your finances back in order.

Step 1: Formulate a debt-payoff plan

You want to start tackling your debt the way you would most other obstacles in life: come up with a solid game plan. First, you want a clear picture of where you stand, so find your credit card or bank statements. Add up all of your holiday purchases, from gifts and food to greeting cards and travel, to determine how much debt you accumulated.

Once you’ve taken stock of your debt, you can create a realistic plan to pay it off. Decide which debts to pay off first. It’s good to look at your credit cards’ interest rates if you used more than one card to pay for holiday purchases. One method you can use to start chipping away at your holiday debt is the debt avalanche method, where you pay off credit cards with the highest interest rates first. Another option is the debt snowball method, which involves prioritizing your debts from smallest to largest.

Both are effective methods you can use to get out of debt. What matters most is that you make a commitment to stick to the plan.

Step 2: Reduce your future spending

If you’re serious about quickly paying down your holiday debt, you’ll need to find extra money to put on your credit card balances.  Cutting unnecessary spending can help create this surplus to pay off debt. This can be as simple as cutting down on eating out for a few months. Additionally, you may consider something like a bill negotiation app that goes through your accounts and finds unused subscriptions or services, and can even lower bills on your behalf.

You may need to make sacrifices to get where you need to be financially. It’s not always easy to give up what you love, but sometimes that’s what’s required to eliminate your holiday debt.

Step 3: Boost your income

Cutting your spending may not be enough. You may need to find additional sources of income to finish paying off holiday debt.

If available, you could work some overtime hours at your current job. Another option is to pick up a part-time job or start a side hustle in your spare time to earn extra money. If you receive bonuses from your job or are expecting a tax return, those funds can go toward paying off debt, too.

Related: 15 Festive Ways to Make Extra Money for Christmas 

Step 4: Consider a balance transfer card

Another way to avoid mounting interest charges is to transfer your existing credit card balance to a balance transfer credit card. They offer introductory 0% APR on balance transfers for extended periods, sometimes as long as 18 to 21 months.

When researching balance transfer credit cards, look for balance transfer fees. While there’s no interest during the introductory period, many cards charge a 3% – 5% fee based on the amount you transfer to the new card.

If you go this route, make sure that you pay off the entire balance transfer before the introductory rate expires and you don’t use the card for any additional purchases.

How to Avoid Holiday Debt Next Year, Too

A father opening presents with his two young daughters on Christmas morning.

Holiday debt may seem like a part of life, but this doesn’t have to be the case. With a little research and advance planning, you can be prepared financially when the holidays come around again. Here are action steps to take to avoid financial mistakes next holiday season.

Step 1: Plan ahead

It’s amazing how much planning ahead can help your holiday spending. Years ago, my wife and I created a Christmas budget, and this simple step revolutionized our holiday spending.

We made a list of everyone we buy presents for and the amount we spend on them. The list includes kids, parents, siblings, cousins, teachers, and anyone else who might warrant a gift. We divide that by 11 and set aside that amount every month in a sinking fund to make sure we have enough to cover all of our holiday spending by the time we need it.

To create your holiday budget, look back at who you bought presents for this past year and how much you spent. Ask yourself how much you might need to increase your budget or decrease the number of gifts you buy. Do all of those people even need gifts?  Use all of this information to create a realistic budget. Set spending limits for each person on your list. Don’t forget to factor in other expenses around the holidays, too.

To figure out how much you’ll need to save each month, add up how much money you’ll need to cover all of your holiday expenses and then divide it by the number of months left in the year. For instance, if you’re putting together your budget in June, you’ll divide your total by six.

To make sure you don’t touch your holiday money, set up a separate online savings account for your budgeted funds. You could also pull cash from your bank account every month and use tuck it away in an envelope. Find whatever works for you, so you don’t touch the money for anything other than paying off holiday spending. After the holiday season comes and goes, you’ll be glad that you took the time to plan ahead.

Related: 75 Creative Ways to Save Money In Every Part of Life 

Step 2: Shop year-round

Deals can be found all year, not just on Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and during the holiday season. Keep a running list of gift ideas for your loved ones. When you come across a good deal, buy it and save that item for Christmas. Make sure to account for it in your holiday budget later on.

Additionally, there are specific times of the year you should buy certain items. If one of your kids wants a new bike, you’ll find the best deals at the end of summer when new bike models come out. Depending on what items are on your list, you may save money by shopping before the holiday shopping season even starts.

Step 3: Get rid of existing debt

Debt can put a damper on any type of financial planning. If you have existing debt, work toward paying it off before the holidays come around again. If not, you may be more inclined to add more debt from holiday spending. According to a 2020 CreditCards.com holiday debt poll, 57% of people with existing credit card debt think the holidays are a valid reason to add more debt. For people without any credit card debt, that number drops to just 29%.[2]

Similar to paying off holiday debt, work through the steps above to pay off all of your other debt too. If you have any balances on your credit cards or have any loans, work hard to pay them off quickly. Make it a point to start the holiday shopping season with as little debt as possible.

Related: 12 Steps to Paying Off Debt Fast

Step 4: Give DIY gifts

If you’re blessed with the crafting gene, consider making presents for your loved ones. This may not work for everyone on your list, but many people would appreciate receiving handmade gifts. Spend time on Pinterest or Instagram for inspiration and to find original and creative DIY ideas.

Even if you aren’t amazing with a glue gun or an expert painter, there are plenty of crafty ideas that don’t require specialized skills or tons of experience to make. Plus, handmade gifts create a more personal gift experience. Show your loved ones how much you care by creating a gift that you know they will love.

Related: 33 Christmas Gift Ideas Under $25

You Don’t Have to Overspend During the Holidays

It’s easy to get caught up in overspending during the holidays. I know I’ve fallen into that trap before. I love my family and want them to have whatever they desire. It’s hard to say no, especially when you find something on sale. It’s also hard to stay within your budget if you’re not actively tracking your holiday spending.

The reality is that spending less during the holidays is better than going into debt. The holidays are more than just presents. It’s also a time for family and friends, spending time together, and enjoying memorable experiences. If you have to cut back on how much you spend on presents, your loved ones will understand.

The holidays can be a stressful time, especially when you’re worried about going into debt just to buy someone a gift. If you have holiday debt, work toward dumping it as quickly as possible and create a plan moving forward to save for the holidays. Planning to reduce holiday debt does take work, but it’s worth it to avoid the stress that comes with overspending.

Related: Savvy Ways to Save Money on Christmas This Year 

Author
Kevin Payne

Kevin Payne is a freelance writer specializing in credit cards, student loans, personal finance, and travel. He is a regular contributor to Student Loan Planner, FinanceBuzz, and Millennial Money. His work has also been featured on sites like Forbes and Credit Karma.

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