52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Avoid Stress Spending {Week 50 of 52}

Welcome to my 52 Ways to Save $100 a Month series. We’re serious about saving money in 2016. Sometimes it’s the little things and sometimes it’s the big things. I’m here to walk you through some little things that can add up to BIG savings. 52 little things to be exact. Every week, join me back here for another small money saving tip or idea that might not seem like significant savings until you see the overall yearly savings. It might just blow your mind. So pop in each Tuesday and read a new tip that will help you on your way to save $100 a month!

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This time of year can be so stressful. Even if you’ve planned. Even if you’ve prepared. Even if you’ve made lists and checked them twice. There is so much to do. Christmas parties, neighbor gifts, shopping, baking, wrapping. Even the planning to prevent stress from not planning is stressful. Sheesh! One big issue that Americans use as a coping method for that stress is spending money. Studies have shown that many Americans stress spend to the tune of $500 each year. Yikes! We often spend to relieve stress in the short term, but clearly it adds up to additional stress in the long term. So how do we curb that stress spending? Here are some tips:

Find Other Stress Relievers: Yoga, meditations, exercise, a good book. If you are spinning out, take an hour or two and do what you know calms you. Go for a jog, watch a funny movie, even take a quick refreshing nap. Do whatever you need to calm down while avoiding the mall!

Make a Plan: I know, I know. I just said you can still get stressed even if you have a plan and I stand by that. Just imagine the level of stress if you DIDN’T have a plan? No good! Plan your gifts, plan your meals, plan your wrapping dates and materials. Get it all down on paper, so when you do get stressed, refer back to the list!

Take the Money Away: You can do this a few ways. First, make a Christmas budget, pull the corresponding amount of cash from the bank and then use ONLY cash each time you head to the store. Leave all credit cards, checkbooks, etc. at home to prevent temptations. When the cash is gone, the spending stops. Period. You can also just have someone physically hide your credit cards if you don’t trust yourself when you get stressed. Seems extreme, but if it works, I’m all for it!

Clear Your Schedule: This is a toughie around the holidays, but take a hard look at your priorities in life and then compare that to your schedule. Do they match up or is your schedule over-stuffed with activities that aren’t related to the important things in your life {namely, family!}. Try removing even one less important commitment to free yourself up for what matters most to you!

How Much Can You Save:  $500+. While that numbers represents what the average American stress-spends in an entire year instead of just around the holidays, you get a great idea of the potential for year-long savings if you simply implement some of the idea above!

More Ways to Save:

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Clean Out Your Closet {Week 1 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Break Up with Cable {Week 2 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Barter Better {Week 3 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Change Your Own Oil {Week 4 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Adjust Your Thermostat {Week 5 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Take Advantage of Your Perks {Week 6 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Pack Your Lunch {Week 7 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Make It Yourself {Week 8 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Preserve Your Bounty {Week 9 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Keep the Change {Week 10 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | The Art of Borrowing {Week 11 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Ditch the Gym {Week 12 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Clip a Coupon {Week 13 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Start Your Garden From Seed {Week 14 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Learn to Cut Hair {Week 15 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Become a 1 Car Family {Week 16 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Make a Phone Call {Week 17 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Shop Christmas in July {Week 18 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Grow a Garden {Week 19 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Just Say No {Week 20 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Go Generic {Week 21 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Make a Budget {Week 22 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Use the Library {Week 23 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Kick the Soda Habit {Week 24 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Improve Your Credit Score {Week 25 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Shop Online {Week 26 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Save on Lodging {Week 27 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Play for Free {Week 28 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Save Big on Birthday Parties {Week 29 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Back to School Clothes on the Cheap {Week 30 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Inexpensively Entertaining {Week 31 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Buy Used College Textbooks {Week 32 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Buy Used {Week 33 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Buy In Bulk {Week 34 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Skip a Meal {Week 35 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Save on Medical Expenses {Week 36 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Save on Christmas Spending {Week 37 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Reduce Convenience Foods {Week 38 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Stop Paying Interest {Week 39 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Eat Less Meat {Week 40 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Curb Impulse Buying {Week 41 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Do Holiday Shopping AFTER the Holidays {Week 42 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Make a List {Week 43 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Cook in Bulk {Week 44 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Dress Minimally {Week 45 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Use Less Product {Week 46 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Take Advantage of Free {Week 47 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month |Turn Off the Lights {Week 48 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month |Keep an Idea Journal {Week 49 of 52}