The holidays can be an overwhelming time financially, and today on Financial Wellness at Work, we are joined by financial services expert, Kaitlin Vangura, to discuss how you can spend smart this season so that you can be present with your family and focus on what really matters! Tuning in, you’ll hear all about Kaitlin’s approach to the holidays, how she manages budgeting without becoming a ‘grinch’, how (and when) to plan financially for this time of year, how you can make some extra cash over the holidays, and so much more! We delve into how to make gift-giving more intentional and less financially burdensome before discussing why Kaitlin doesn’t like Black Friday. We even discuss how you can avoid last-minute shopping pressure during the holidays. Finally, our guest shares some invaluable advice about letting go of perfection during the holidays. Thanks for listening in!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Introducing today’s guest, Kaitlin Vangura. 
• Why the holidays always sneak up on us financially. 
• How (and when) we plan for the holidays by budgeting. 
• Some tips for making some extra cash for the holidays. 
• Why she loves Secret Santa and her thoughts on Black Friday.
• How to avoid getting sucked into last-minute shopping chaos.
• What to do in January if you overspend over the holidays.
• Kaitlin shares some advice for her former ‘grinch-like’ self. 

Quotes:

“I think drawing boundaries is a really good thing to do, especially if the idea of trying to get gifts for everyone is very stressful.” — Kaitlin Vangura [0:14:11 ]

“Keeping your eyes and ears open throughout the year, I think, is a much better strategy than trying to just go all in on the Black Friday sales.” — Kaitlin Vangura [0:17:04 ]

“Stop putting so much pressure on [yourself] to make [the holidays] perfect. It doesn’t have to be perfect!” — Kaitlin Vangura [0:28:08 ]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Kaitlin Vangura on LinkedIn

Julie Everett on LinkedIn

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