Careful budgeting can help keep holiday spending under control. PHOTO BY JESSY BAINS
By Jessy Bains
The economic forecast looks bright, but shoppers should be careful not to let the numbers cloud their judgment during the holiday season.
According to a Statistics Canada report released Friday, employment rose by 59,000 and the unemployment rate went down to 7.2 per cent from 7.4 per cent from the previous quarter.
But Courtney Carroll, author of the Financial Fitness Blueprint, said consumers should not let these kinds of numbers affect their financial decision-making.
“You can take a look at the big picture, but then you need to assess your own personal financial situation,” Carroll told Humber News.
“Am I managing my money right? Am I doing the right things to make sure I’m not falling behind on my financial responsibilities?”
Carroll suggests looking back at your bills from last year to guide spending decisions this year.
“Did you end up with a financial hangover in January or February with bills you didn’t plan for?”
Carroll said shoppers should be careful when using credit card to buy gifts.
“Using credit is easy and satisfies our immediate gratifications but unfortunately you don’t see how all the bills add up until later on, smart consumers need to be careful not to overspend,” said Carroll.
“If you have to use credit cards, make sure you have enough money saved so there will be no surprises and you can pay those bills right away.”
To contact Courtney you can reach him by email at ccfinancials@gmail.com