How to Enjoy the Holidays Without Going Into Debt

If your children are old enough, invite them to help bake cookies for neighbors or make handmade gifts for grandparents. These shared experiences create memories that last far longer than the presents themselves.

You can also use what you already have—redeem unused reward points or gift cards. It’s one more way to keep spending within your means.

Plan Ahead for Next Year

When January rolls around, start setting aside a little each month for the next holiday season. Even $50 a paycheck can make a big difference. By next November, you’ll be ready to give and celebrate without anxiety.

If you prefer automation, set up a small transfer to a dedicated savings account. You’ll hardly notice it leaving your budget—but you’ll be grateful when the holidays return.

Partner With a Faith-Based Financial Institution

They share your faith and are committed to helping you manage money in a way that honors God. Their savings accounts, digital tools, and personalized service can help you stay on track during the busiest time of the year.

Keep Your Focus on What Matters Most

As you prepare for Thanksgiving, take a moment to thank God for His provision. Gratitude is where wise stewardship begins. And as Christmas draws near, let your giving reflect the joy of God’s greatest gift—His Son, Jesus Christ.

When we give with grateful hearts and live with margin, we reflect His generosity to the world around us. Ultimately, this creates space for what matters most: faith, family, gratitude, and the celebration of Christ’s birth.

Even when finances feel tight, remember—lasting peace isn’t found in numbers or careful planning, but in resting on God’s faithful provision. That is the heart of faithful stewardship: learning to live not from scarcity, but from trust in the One who provides abundantly.

And when you do, you’ll find a joy that lasts long after the holidays are over.

On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:

• I’ve been on and off Social Security disability after a head injury, but was later able to return to work. They kept sending me payments even after I notified them I was earning more than allowed. Now that my cancer has returned and I may need to stop working again, how should I handle this with Social Security? Should I visit their office in person to get it sorted out?
• My wife and I own our home outright, but have built up significant credit card debt over the past few years. We’re debating whether to take out a home equity loan or a reverse mortgage to get back on track. Which option would you recommend?
• We’re selling our home and deciding whether to use all the proceeds to buy our next house or invest some of them in our retirement accounts to increase our monthly income. Which choice makes the most financial sense?

Resources Mentioned:

• Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s New Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)
• Christian Community Credit Union (CCCU)
• Movement Mortgage
• Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money
• Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety
• Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool
• Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA)
• FaithFi App