The holidays are approaching quickly and if you are going to make it through the next two months without overeating and overspending, you need a self-control strategy. I know, let the groaning begin. Self-control takes motivation, planning and a little creativity.
In my communication theory class, we recently discussed the process of quality group decision making. Randy Hirokawa of the University of Hawaii at Hilo and Dennis Gouran of Pennsylvania State University identify a couple of factors that go into making a good decision and I believe they can also apply to spending and eating over the holidays. The four functions they name, in any given order are: problem analysis, identification of the alternatives, goal setting and evaluation of the positives and negatives. These functions are fairly self-explanatory but let’s walk through the application.
Analysis of the problem is always a good place to start. In previous years, did I overspend? Did I overeat? If no, I am doing okay (unless I did so by starving myself or being a complete Scrooge). If yes, what are my goals for the coming year? By setting a budget for your Christmas or Hanukkah gifts, you have a place to start. If you are going to live within those goals, you have to identify the alternatives. By making a list of each person that you will be shopping for and how much you can spend on each one, you may, first, decide whether you can give everyone gifts this year. Maybe other family members or friends are also ready to cut back, ready to channel resources into memory making events rather than adding to the pile under the Christmas tree.
Maybe you’ve developed a hobby over the previous years and can cut your costs by making homemade gifts. Or, as suggested by my friend Lou Amici, you can visit one of the wonderful local craft fairs coming up and buy homemade gifts made by artisans who have perfected their craft. You can still give memorable items without taking the time to learn each craft. Supporting local craftsmen and women is supporting your community. Watch the community calendars and local paper for upcoming events.
The last function of decision making that I need to mention is the evaluation of positive and negative characteristics of the options. But, there are a lot of good choices out there. Hirokawa notes that, in decision making, negative factors typically rule out options faster than positive ones. By having a budget in place, you automatically know which gifts are going to be out of your range. You also know what you can spend up to, without always settling for the cheapest item when buying higher quality might help the item last longer and give more satisfaction to the recipient in the long run.
So let’s go through this with food. Problem: if I smell food, it seems to settle on my hips. Goal: at a minimum, stay at the same weight since actually losing weight during this period of feasting may be ambitious. Identification of the alternatives: be more careful between big meals, save calories for the larger gatherings, cut back on portion sizes and reach for healthy options that making working it off easier in the New Year. Positives: You may actually keep from gaining those winter pounds and if you develop healthy eating habits, you may even shed unwanted pounds. Negatives: I love good food and I love sharing good food with friends. Typically, the food I love is fattening. But, just like your spending budget, decide how much you are going to allow yourself to eat. By staying accountable to the numbers or portions that work for your body, you don’t starve yourself or feel over-deprived in the end which leads to binge eating and packing back on the pounds you worked so hard to get off. Believe me, I know.
What’s your decision making process for frugal spending and eating over the holidays?
In the Phoenix, November 6, 2010
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Great information, I already am gettng my coupons and list lined up for shopping! I am going to TRY to stay on the spending and eating budget !!!
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