With just 4 Christmas shopping days left, time is running short. But if you’re just getting started with gift buying, you still have time to do it right. Today Howard Dayton gives us advice for last-minute Christmas shopping.
Howard Dayton is the former host of this program and the author of several books on biblical finances. 
<ul><li>Howard says if your shopping list is still a blank slate, that also provides an opportunity to avoid making last-minute mistakes.</li><li>WHERE TO START</li><li>You start with a goal and a plan. Your goal is to stay out of debt this Christmas. Your plan will help you do that by thinking more carefully about your spending and avoiding impulsive purchases.</li><li>Now, drawing up your plan is actually pretty simple. First, determine how much you can spend without going into debt. That’s your shopping budget. Then, make a list of everyone you need to buy a gift for. Finally, divide the money in your budget among those names. They won’t all be equal. You can set your own priorities, but in the end, the total can’t exceed the money you’ve budgeted for Christmas shopping.</li><li>WHAT IF MONEY IS TIGHT? </li><li>Remember, the idea here isn’t “keeping up with the Joneses.” It’s having a debt-free Christmas that’s also a wonderful time and memory for your family. So be a student of each person on your list. Buy or make inexpensive gifts that are meaningful to the recipient because it reflects their personal interests.</li><li>There’s still time to bake and decorate Christmas cookies. Make gifts of them to some (or all) of the people on your list. It’s another inexpensive way to show people you care. Make a stack of them, wrap ‘em up, put a bow on top, and you’re done.</li><li>Keep the focus on Christ, who already gave us the greatest gift of salvation. You can never top that! Where possible, your gift could be a handmade card with some verses from the Christmas Story in Luke 2. The world has taken Christ out of Christmas. Take the opportunity to put Him back in it, front and center!</li><li>BUT IF YOU STILL HAVE GIFTS TO PURCHASE …</li><li>For a lot of last-minute shoppers, the temptation to just use a credit card will seem overwhelming. Actually, there’s nothing wrong with using a credit card if you follow 3 simple rules:</li><li>First, use a credit card only for budgeted purchases. You’ve already determined how much you can spend on Christmas shopping, so stick to the plan. If you don’t, you won’t have a debt-free Christmas. The next rules apply year-round: <ul><li>Pay credit cards off on time and in full every month. This way, there’s no interest charges, no late fees, and no debt.</li><li>The very first month you can’t pay a credit card bill in full, take out the scissors, and perform some plastic surgery!</li></ul></li><li>Remember what Proverbs 22:7 says, “The borrower is slave to the lender.” The Lord wants us free to serve Him and not our creditors.</li><li>FINAL THOUGHTS</li><li>In His story of the King in Matthew 25, Jesus says, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”</li><li>So try to save something for a special gift to the poor this Christmas season because when you do, you’re giving to Christ Himself.</li></ul>On this program, Rob also answers listener questions: 
<ul><li>When does it make sense to take out a private student loan? </li><li>What is the wisest way to use proceeds from an injury settlement? </li><li>What’s the best way to pay off credit card debt? </li></ul>RESOURCES MENTIONED: 
<ul><li><a href="https://www.christiancreditcounselors.org/">Christian Credit Counselors</a> </li></ul>Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000 or email them to <a href="mailto:questions@moneywise.org">Questions@MoneyWise.org</a>. Also, visit our website at <a href="http://moneywise.org/">MoneyWise.org</a> where you can connect with a MoneyWise Coach, join the MoneyWise Community, and even download the free MoneyWise app.

FaithFi

Faith & Finance is a daily radio ministry hosted by Rob West. The program offers a practical, biblical and good-natured approach to managing your time, talents and resources.

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Time is running short. If you’re just getting started with gift buying, you still have time to do it right! Howard Dayton gives us advice for last minute Christmas shopping.

Last Minute Christmas Shopping With Howard Dayton

FaithFi | Dec 21, 2022

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