Don't Spend Money to De-Stress.

As we approach the festive season, a time that is considered by some as one of the most stressful times of the year -- I ask that you do not spend money to de-stress.  Some people will often make purchases to make themselves feel better.

Think of what big ticket items you have purchased when you were sad, depressed or were simply having a bad day. I used to spend money just to wind down after a stressful day. Sometimes I would end up buying things that I didn't need to make myself feel better.

Now, I’ve found that I feel better by finding something constructive to do like writing in a journal, trying a new recipe, reading a book, or spending time with my family. Can you think of several things that you can do instead of spending money?

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The Home and Away Series

This Month's Guest: Ms. Nancy W. Hudson

Extension Agent - Family and Consumer Sciences, Medina County

Agreeing about money challenges many families. It takes time, effort, and effective communication to get on the same money track. When circumstances include a job that keeps you apart for days or weeks, your money-talking skills and individual efforts need to provide the payoff.

If your money discussions escalate to shouting matches or come to abrupt halts, it's time for a different approach. Realize you will have different attitudes and values. To one, money may mean power. To the other it may mean security or status. One may be a spender, the other a saver. The concern is not that you always agree about money, but how you discuss your differences and reach a suitable compromise.

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Partner not aware of debts

Alone in debt and partner not aware

We receive a lot of calls and emails from the public who feel alone and scared because their partner is not aware of their personal debt problems. This section of the site will explain how to deal with the uncomfortable situation of feeling alone with mounting debts.

Just like any other bad habit, debt — when spinning out of control — can become a shameful secret that one partner in a relationship hides from the other. The UK Insolvency Helpline confidential advice service speaks to hundreds of people in relationships who feel so alone because they have kept their debt problems secret.

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