Not sure if it’s just me, but every Q4 feels like financial chaos. Between holiday gifts, birthday/anniversary (for us is all in Q4), a couple of family trips, ski trips with the kid, and all the gatherings and little “extras,” my wallet hurts every time I look at the credit card balance toward year-end.
We are a solid middle-income household — but I still have to be careful with spending. It’s not like we’re blowing money on luxury stuff either; it’s just that everything adds up so fast this time of year.
I keep telling myself “money buys memories,” and I do believe that, especially with family trips and time with loved ones… but man, it still stings when the statement drops.
Do you guys just accept this as part of adult life, or have you found ways to keep Q4 under control without feeling like a Grinch?