Thursday

Welcome to Thursday! In today’s newsletter:

• Tips for saving money when hosting a holiday

• How to halt financial freak-outs

• Make the most of your Prime membership

• Ways to get more comfortable talking about money

How To Save Money When Hosting a Holiday

Hosting friends and family is a super fun way to celebrate the holidays. But if you’ve hosted before, you likely know that it can come with a big price tag.

Having people over to celebrate an occasion doesn’t have to be a financial strain, however! Being mindful about how you host can help lessen holiday (and financial) stress.

• Try a potluck: It’s completely reasonable to request that your guests bring a side dish to share! This helps so you don’t have to provide the entire meal for everyone yourself.

• Plan ahead: If you shop last minute, you may be stuck buying whatever you can find. Make a list and shop ahead to find the best deals, get the generic brands, and save!

• Opt for items you can find in bulk: Things like potatoes, onions, grains, and so forth are often easy to find in bulk, which can help stack up the savings.

• Be realistic: While many of us want to provide only the best for our guests, that doesn’t mean you should have to break the bank while doing it! Your guests will simply be happy to be in your company! Don’t break the bank by going all-out for a meal that stresses you financially, and instead, do what feels (and is) manageable.

How To Halt Financial Freak-Outs

Roughly 7 in 10 people cite money as a significant source of stress in their lives. You’re absolutely not alone if you experience finance-related anxiety.

However, money doesn’t have to rule your life.

If you find yourself on the verge of a financial freak-out (or having them frequently), here are a few ways you can get centered:

• Take a breath: If you begin to feel anxiety about money, validate your feelings. It can be super stressful! Then, remember that there are tools, resources, and steps you can use to ease whatever it is that’s causing the stress.

• Take a deep look at your finances: If you take a step back, what’s the source of these anxieties? Is it debt? Are you worried about not having enough to save for retirement? Does it feel like even though you should have money left over at the end of the month, you never know where it went?

• Make a plan: Once you know what’s causing your financial stress, think about what actionable steps you can take. The first step is often a budget so you can keep a close eye on your finances. From there, you can create a detailed plan to work toward your goals — whether that’s chipping away at debt, building an emergency fund, and so forth.

• Practice mindfulness: This can go beyond meditating — lean into money mindfulness and conscious budgeting, don’t allow yourself to impulse spend, and consider keeping a financial journal to track how you feel about money throughout the month.

If your financial anxieties are a serious stressor, remember that there is zero shame in working with a professional, and they can help you move through some of the difficulties.

Our Online Shopping Superhero

Remember the not-so-glorious days of jotting down your shopping list, dropping it somewhere between your kitchen table and the mall, then braving the crowds with no idea what you came for? Thank goodness for Amazon… and thank goodness for Brad’s Deals, which helps you make the most of your Prime membership. Brad leads shoppers by the hand, showing you ten lesser-known membership wonders you never knew you had—like unlimited photo storage, free release-date delivery, and early access to Lightning Deals. Get all the deals from Brad himself and transform your shopping, streaming, and saving experience. Sign up for free with your email address!

Learn more.

Thank you to Brad’s Deals for sponsoring Note To Self. 

How To Get More Comfortable Talking About Money

Talking about money doesn’t come easy to everyone. Especially if you didn’t grow up talking about finances or have debt, it can be uncomfortable or a source of guilt or shame.

However, our finances are nothing to be ashamed of. And the more we talk about them, the more informed we may be and the better we may feel about our own.

Being open and comfortable talking about our finances can empower us with knowledge and help us get on the same page in a relationship.

There can definitely be a learning curve, however, as we begin to open up and speak more freely about it.

If talking about your finances is less than comfortable, first, break out of the mindset that talking about finances is bad. Some people shame talking about money — and while we may not want to dive deep into money chats with everyone, the reality is that financial transparency can help everyone feel more informed for the better! Especially when it involves a partner, close, trusted friends, and professionals who are there to guide our journey.

Next, remember that knowledge is power! Watch videos, read financial self-help books, and consume content from professionals to get educated. This can help ease anxiety and help you communicate your concerns, journey, and goals more effectively.

After you’re feeling a little more informed, find people who are safe to chat with. This can include friends, your partner, a family member (if you feel inclined), or a professional! This can make it much less anxiety-inducing when you know you have someone trusted to turn to.

Lastly, schedule check-ins. Especially if you share finances with another person, scheduling intentional meetings to go over money can be helpful.

Parting Thoughts

• ✅ Did You Know: Americans spent around $964 billion on the holidays in 2023!

• 🎁 Our Holiday Self-Care Picks: Don’t forget to check out our 2024 gift guide, a collection of thoughtful, wellness-focused products that help you feel your best, inside and out.

• 🙋🏼‍♀️ Snapshot Of The Day: We'd love to see moments from our readers lives that they are proud of! If you recently accomplished an achievement, experienced a joyful moment, or are proud of a picture you have taken, be sure to capture it on camera and send it to us for a chance to be featured next week! 

• 💭 Final Self-Care Thoughts for Today: While we may feel pressured to spend around the holidays, forming a plan and getting comfortable with your finances can help ease some of the stress.

Enjoying Note to Self?

Know of a great self-care tip or article you'd love to share with the community? Want to send us pictures of you completing one of your self-care rituals? Email us at [email protected]!