Every December, people think gifts are the reason their budget goes off the rails… but that’s almost never the real problem.

The thing that actually wrecks holiday budgets?

Surprise, unplanned spending.

Teacher gifts.
Extra groceries.
Last-minute outings.
That quick Target run that wasn't quick and definitely wasn’t $12.

And the numbers prove it:

• 56% of Americans say they expect to overspend during the holidays — and the biggest reason is unplanned expenses, not gifts. (NerdWallet Holiday Report)

• Shoppers spend 20–30% more when buying things last-minute. (Deloitte Holiday Retail Survey)

• Only 37% of Americans budget for non-gift holiday items like food, décor, parties, and travel. (NerdWallet)

• The average household drops $300–$400 on holiday extras they didn’t plan for. (LendingTree/MagnifyMoney study)

• And 1 in 3 Americans say surprise costs are what push them into using credit cards for holiday spending. (LendingTree Holiday Debt Survey)

So if December has you wondering where your money went… this is why.

The good news:
We’re halfway through the month. You still have time to stop the bleeding.

Here’s a quick plan you can put in place today:

1. Make a 5-minute “extras list.”

Write down every non-gift expense you know is coming this week:
food, travel, kids’ events, work parties, teacher gifts, stocking stuffers, last-minute errands, etc.

2. Assign a dollar amount, and round up.

If you think groceries will be $60, call it $80.
December math is never honest.

3. Cut, simplify, or scale something back.

You don’t need to host, bake, decorate, and gift at “Hallmark Christmas” levels. 

Good enough is enough.

4. Use this one filter before every purchase:

“Did I plan for this… or is this December chaos talking?”
This question alone saves people hundreds.

Remember:
You don’t need a perfect holiday.
You need a holiday that doesn’t sabotage your January.

You’ve still got time to protect your budget and enjoy the season without dragging debt into the new year.

What if 15 minutes could change everything about your money?

n this free session, you'll discover:

✅ Why most people stay stuck with debt — and how to break free
✅ Simple steps to actually reduce money stress and take control
✅ REAL stories of people who got REAL results in just 30–60 days

You don’t need to be perfect. You don’t need more apps, side hustles, or quick fixes. You just need a proven plan — and that starts here.

👉 Watch now and see what’s possible.

Watch The Free Session!