“I want to talk to my friends and family about money but don’t know how to start!”

November is Financial Literacy Month and the focus this year is “Money on your Mind. Talk about it!” Last week we wrote about three questions to ask yourself: What is worrying me most about my finances? What am I doing well when it comes to my money?, and Who do I trust to talk to about my money worries? These questions give you a starting point. Sometimes, taking the next step can be difficult.

For me, getting ready for the holidays makes me excited, delighted, stressed out, and overwhelmed. All these feelings sit within my mind and body in the build-up to the holidays. Talking to my family, both those living in my home and those outside of my home, has helped. Sitting with your core family members and talking about what makes the holidays special ahead of time can help clarify expectations and focus on how I am going to spend time preparing and how I am going to spend money. I started with my core family members, so we had common expectations that were realistic and shared. That made it easier to talk to my extended family, to set healthy boundaries, and to plan for things we all were excited about.

Talking to my family also reminded me that the best parts of holidays are not necessarily the gifts or things that cost a lot of money. This table can help guide your conversations.

Getting Ready for the Holidays

Consider things that make the holidays special to you and your family and friends. What are the most important?

Estimate the costs related to those things. These costs are in addition to your regular monthly expenses.

Special Meals – Ingredients	Cost estimates	Location stored
Subtotal
Gifts/Presents – Names	Cost estimates	Location stored
Subtotal
Activities	Cost estimates	Notes
Subtotal
Total (add subtotals together)

*I added the “Location stored” column because I don’t want to rebuy things I already bought, and I need to hide them from the others in my house so they don’t get eaten beforehand.

With warm regards,

Caroline Araujo Abbotts (She/Her)
Financial Literacy Program Coordinator
advice@unitedwaybg.com
519-378-4773 work cellphone (Mon-Fri 8:30 am – 4:30 pm)
380 9th Street East, Owen Sound, ON. N4K 1P1
519-376-1560 / 800-794-1728 / fax 519-376-5458