As the holidays approach, it’s important to make sure you don’t ruin your financial chances for a great 2014. December is traditionally the month in which Americans spend the most money. This calls for a fool-proof strategy.

Security aside, there is no good reason not to use cash to fund holiday purchases. Your economic resources are finite. They feel less than finite when plastic is involved. Don’t involve plastic. And don’t worry about  the whole “credit card points and cash back” thing. It’s overrated and often misused. If you are making an online purchase, then deposit the cash to cover it into your bank account. Jot down the people that you plan on buying gifts for, write down a dollar amount next to their name, and then withdraw all that cash. What? Can’t afford to do that? Perfect. You just realized that you can’t afford to buy those gifts.

For more information and tips from Pete the Planner, please visit his website, check out his radio show, watch him on TV, or take a look at his new column in the IndyStar.

And, don’t forget, as faculty or staff of Butler University, you have FREE access to all of Pete the Planner’s financial resources from GreenCandy.com!

This site is the comprehensive home to all of Pete the Planner’s financial wellness guides, videos, worksheets, calculators, and all other resources needed to make significant financial change.

In order to access the site, you will need to follow the steps below:

Step 1: Visit http://greencandy.com

Step 2: Look for the word “Register” at the top of the page and click it.

Step 3: Enter the following registration code: bulldogs

*Please note, this resource is for Butler faculty and staff only.*

Is it possible to be thankful when you have less?

Consider the concepts of abundance and scarcity. If your closet is filled with 85 shirts, do you treat and view those shirts differently than if you only had five shirts in your closet? It can be argued that scarcity can affect the way we treat and view our resources. This isn’t to suggest that those with more struggle to be thankful, but it is to suggest that maybe people don’t always need more. Having more things doesn’t necessarily increase satisfaction.

If you have a storage unit, a cluttered basement, a cluttered garage, or any other room of unused excess, do you consider yourself to be thankful for all those things you don’t ever use? You might superficially be thankful, but the lack of use suggests you don’t find the items to useful. What can you do to change this situation?

For more information and tips from Pete the Planner, please visit his website, check out his radio show, watch him on TV, or take a look at his new column in the IndyStar.

And, don’t forget, as faculty or staff of Butler University, you have FREE access to all of Pete the Planner’s financial resources from GreenCandy.com!

This site is the comprehensive home to all of Pete the Planner’s financial wellness guides, videos, worksheets, calculators, and all other resources needed to make significant financial change.

In order to access the site, you will need to follow the steps below:

Step 1: Visit http://greencandy.com

Step 2: Look for the word “Register” at the top of the page and click it.

Step 3: Enter the following registration code: bulldogs

*Please note, this resource is for Butler faculty and staff only.*