Faith & Finance with Rob West
The holidays are meant to be a season of joy, generosity, and gratitude. Yet for many families, the celebrations come with a heavy dose of financial stress—stress that lingers long after the decorations are packed away. Our desire to bless others often leads to spending more than we planned. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Recently, we sat down with Neile Simon, Certified Credit Counselor and Director of Strategic Partnerships at Christian Credit Counselors, to talk about how families can give meaningfully, stay within their means, and refocus on what Christmas is truly about.

The holidays are meant to be a season of joy, generosity, and gratitude. Yet for many families, the celebrations come with a heavy dose of financial stress—stress that lingers long after the decorations are packed away. Our desire to bless others often leads to spending more than we planned. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Recently, we sat down with Neile Simon, Certified Credit Counselor and Director of Strategic Partnerships at Christian Credit Counselors, to talk about how families can give meaningfully, stay within their means, and refocus on what Christmas is truly about.Most people enter the holiday season with the best of intentions. We want to show love, bless others, and create special memories. But somewhere along the way, those intentions can derail.
Neile explains that a mix of cultural pressures makes overspending almost effortless: holiday sales, credit card offers at checkout, “buy now, pay later” deals, and social media’s endless highlight reels. Before long, the drive to be generous morphs into the belief that we must spend more to prove how much we care.And the consequences last far beyond December—financial stress, increased debt, and a January filled with regret rather than joy. The good news: overspending isn’t inevitable. Neile suggests starting early and planning intentionally.
1. Decide what you can truly afford. Account for all holiday expenses—gifts, food, travel, entertainment, and even small traditions that add up.
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Ultimately, a budget is not a restriction—it’s a path to freedom. It helps you enjoy the season without dreading the bill that arrives in January.
Generosity isn’t measured by price tags. In fact, the most meaningful gifts are often the simplest.
Neile encourages families to focus on personal, relational giving:
When togetherness becomes the priority over possessions, Christmas becomes both more joyful and more affordable.
For families already carrying debt, Christmas can feel like a tug-of-war between generosity and financial reality. Neile offers this encouragement: give within your means—even if it means scaling back.
Why? Because responsible giving protects your finances, your peace, and your future.
Scaling back isn’t failure—it’s stewardship. And it models wisdom and faithfulness for your children.
Amid the lights, the gifts, and the traditions, it’s easy to lose sight of the heart of Christmas.
And when we spend with purpose—anchored in Christ rather than consumerism—we experience a kind of joy that lasts long after the season ends.
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