Tips like these helped us pay off $127K in debt. You can read our story in Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After.
Here’s a little flashback Friday post today I originally wrote in 2011 while we were in the midst of paying off $127K in debt. It’s a good reminder for us all this Christmas.
There’s a woman who wants to meddle in your marriage.
And quite honestly, she wants to screw you (& your finances) over and she wants to ruin your Christmas, too.
Her name is Kay. Do you know her?
I only bring her name up because today she was attempting to meddle in my marriage, too. She’s kind of a skeaz. She really gets around. She even claims that every kiss begins with her.
The NERVE?!
And while I jest a bit, there is no doubt that consumerism and its evil twin debt are out to gobble up your marriage and at no time is it more susceptible than Christmas. And their main agent? Kay and her jewelry/car/clothing commercial friends who try to convince you that your husband can’t “show you he really loves you this holiday season” unless he buys chocolate diamonds (seriously, I am so confused by this marketing tool, do you wear them or eat them?) or something designed by Dr. Quinn (I’m sure she’s a very nice lady but that Open Heart looks like a broken heart to me).
Since we canceled all forms of tv with commercials this fall, I haven’t seen too many ads. But today while watching a tv show on Hulu, I viewed no less than 15 (ok maybe like 5 but it felt more like 50) Kay Jewelers’ commercials. Each and every time I gagged a little (random side note: I read today on Facebook that if you clinch your left fist tightly, you lose your gag reflex, true story) and wanted to poke my eyes out.
A word to the ladies . . .
Seriously, if you buy into this crap, your husband will never live up to the images on the TV. He will not have the biceps, the comedic timing, or ability to dress your children up like Santa Claus. Stop letting the television tell you (and him) what generosity and thoughtfulness looks like in a marriage. Instead, if there’s something reasonable and within your Christmas giving budget that you’re wishing for this year, tell. your. husband. Leave hints, just be straight up about it, or give him options. Don’t expect him to read your mind.
And now all the fellas . . .
If you really want to show your lady you care, do the dishes tonight. Don’t run out and buy her some cookie cutter piece of jewelry because a marketing campaign tells you it’s the best way to show your love. I’m not down on jewelry in general (I have a few pieces I adore), just the idea of buying blindly and not really taking into account what your wife likes. If you’re unsure of what to buy her for Christmas, ask. You might be surprised. She really just might want the laundry room cleaned out and rearranged (hint, hint King of Free).
And now unto us all . . .
Purchasing a gift using a credit card or a payment plan is no gift at all. It’s bondage. If that big red bow on the car comes with a book of monthly charges (and interest to boot) it shows NO love. Come January, you won’t have the warm fuzzy feelings that the commercials suggest, instead you might need to squeeze your left hand really tight because your tummy has feelings that are the opposite of warm and fuzzy.
Don’t believe Kay’s Hype and kick her right out of your marriage this Christmas (and every other day of the year).
My book is now available: Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After. You can also check out Inspiration to Pay Off Debt: 30 Days of Encouragement from the Queen of Free
