Tis the season to be thankful! When holiday stressors surround us, family comes to visit, the to-do list gets longer, and pennies are pinched, it’s important not to lose sight of what’s important. If you’re finding it to be a difficult time of the year, look no further! Here are some important things we can all be thankful for:
Technology
Our digital age now allows us to stay in touch with our friends and family in ways like never before. Technology bridges the gap that physical distance can cause so that you can interact with people from halfway around the world. The holiday season is a time when many of us wish we could be with our families but are unable to due to work obligations, childcare, budgets, and beyond. Thanks to technology, the distance doesn’t seem so far. You may be thousands of miles away from your loved ones, but email, texting, social media, and Skype bring us together as if we were in the same room.
Technology is also a great way to keep yourself on budget during the holiday season. It also allows you to manage your finances at the touch of a smartphone thanks to mobile banking, mobile check deposit, and budgeting apps. You no longer have to carve time out of your busy schedule to visit a physical branch, which makes things much more convenient during a stressful time of the year. It also helps you to track and manage your spending during the holidays, so that you can stay on budget. Even better, technology can help keep you apprised of the best holiday deals!
Savings
The holidays can be stressful and expensive, but not if you’ve been keeping tabs on your “just in case” money. Having a rainy day fund can come in handy this time of the year as you get invited to unexpected parties, realize that you’re in need of a last minute gift, or are suddenly in charge of catering a delicious, home cooked meal.
Having a cushion will allow for some holiday wiggle-room, which will ultimately help you to feel thankful for taking control of your finances.
Better still: Did you know that studies show that gratitude is the key to achieving your financial goals? If you’re able to resist the short-term gratification of impulse buys, you’ll experience greater satisfaction and gratitude in the long run. Thank yourself for the hard work you’ve put into your savings this year and let it fuel your drive to keep up the good work.
Keep in mind; you can still thank yourself for your accomplishments before they’ve been completed. Just because you haven’t gotten that promotion yet, or completed your degree, does not mean you have to hold off on giving yourself gratitude. Be thankful for where you are right now and revel in the journey. Keep your big goals in mind and savor the little things.
Freedom
The holidays offer us the chance to reflect on the freedom we’ve earned thanks to our forefathers. We live in a great country, within a beautiful state, that celebrates freedom, choice, and all walks of life. In fact, our community is home to a melting pot of over 10,000 refugees from all across the world.
Furthermore, you have the freedom to spend your money how you see fit, to invest in what you believe is most important, and can have the opportunity to fulfill your dreams through various financing options that take your full financial picture into account. You have the freedom to choose your own career path and even start your own business should you choose. Take some time to be thankful for the freedom that this state, and country, have provided our community.
Investments
If you have a 401K or an IRA, the holidays are a great time to take a peek at your hard-earned progress. It’s important to keep the future in mind, so you should thank yourself for being proactive and responsible about your retirement.
It’s also a great time to be thankful for the freedom that investing offers you. You can diversify your assets, trade stocks, utilize financial experts to help you make informed decisions, and use various platforms to track and monitor the performance of your investments, stocks, and shares. When it comes to your investment accounts, you can thank yourself for educating yourself on these complicated yet powerful tools, or for choosing a competent financial planner that has your best interests in mind.
In the end, regardless of how you go about saving your money for the long-term, you will end up with a portfolio you can be proud of. Moreover, you will be able to retire with peace of mind that you will have enough money to live off of upon retirement. Thank yourself for taking the time to learn about your investment options now–you’ll be much better for it later on.
Don’t Take The Little Things for Granted
While we might not feel excited about, or grateful for, our job or student loans, it’s important to reflect on your accomplishments and to give yourself credit for being responsible and for working hard to achieve your dreams. While school and careers can be stressful throughout the year, the holidays are a great time to reflect on the education you earned, lifelong friends you made, and the difference you’re making in the community while establishing your career. Thank yourself for your hard work and ongoing efforts. Take pleasure in sharing these successes with others during the holidays and encourage friends and family to feel thankful for their accomplishments as well.
There is so much to be thankful for during the holidays, but we’re often too busy with various obligations to give ourselves a pat on the back. Thank yourself this season for the time you’ve invested into your own future. Without that initiative to take care of yourself, you will find yourself in a precarious financial position–whether that’s during retirement, a roof leak, or even the holiday shopping season.
Give thanks this season, to YOU!
