The Christmas Season tends to invite more than just holiday joy. Arguments about money arguments can pile up faster than any presents under the tree. Most families will spend more money during this season than at any other time of the year. If you’d rather skip the fights (and the fruitcake), you will definitely want to try some of these helpful tips on how to stop holiday money fights over the next few weeks!

3 Solutions to Stop Holiday Money Fights:

1.  Make a plan.

Most people don’t love surprises. At least not surprises about money (unless we’re talking about winning the lottery). Take some time to talk with your spouse about how much money you will spend on each person. You don’t necessarily have to go into details about what you will get each person. The main point is to make some decisions on your budget for each relative and friend.

2.  Stop, Drop, and Roll

During the holiday season, money fights seem to spread like wild fire! We want to put the fights out before they escalate. One person in the relationship must STOP yourself right in the middle of the argument, DROP the issue, and ROLL respectfully right out of the room. This does two things: first, it diffuses the argument, and second, it gives you both an opportunity to think about it a bit. Once you both have some space and the topic has had room to breathe, you can come back together and work towards a compromise.

3.  Be aware of each other’s stress level

During the holiday season, people tend to be more sensitive. There are many reasons why. Whether one person spends too much money or the other person is a real Saver and has a hard time with even spending money, the emotions get higher. So be aware of it! Awareness helps you to just tone it down a bit and be sensitive! The reason for the season is to bring our families together, to be thankful, to have joy, and to give to one another. So even if it’s not your natural bent to spend and give, it’s once a year go ahead and enjoy it! But, if you are like Taylor and LOVE to spend money, relax, pull it back, you don’t have to buy everything.

Don’t let one more holiday shopping season come and go without implementing these three powerful tips to avoiding money fights! Not only will your spouse appreciate it, but you will both enjoy a more peaceful Christmas!

Merry Christmas, friends!

Taylor & Megan Kovar

The Money Couple