Cash Crunch Months

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Jul 3, 2001

June and December.

They happen every year. We know they're going to happen every year. At our house, we even prepare for them every year.

But somehow, despite our best intentions, these two months, more than any of the others, manage to find us scrambling to find just a little more time, or energy, or money to be able to do everything we want to do.

For us, June means birthdays, Father's Day, school parties and farewell presents for our son's teachers. December means Christmas and New Year's celebrations, and the chance to socialize and share our bounty with those people whom we know and cherish, as well as strangers who may be a bit down on their luck.

Add an important wedding or two, and you can see the potential for a thrifty melt-down.

It's especially tricky trying to budget our time and money during these two months, because they're crammed full of opportunities and obligations that we welcome: we're happy to have the chance to celebrate birthdays and weddings; we want to show our son's teachers how much we value their influence and expertise.

It's a question of striking the right balance. We've found we have to keep our eye on the bottom line, but if we don't allow for some flexibility (or even the occasional extravagance!), then we lose out on some of the greatest pleasures these months have to offer. If you occasionally, or regularly, find yourself in a similar predicament, you'll have to find the "right balance" that works for you:

Plan ahead. Okay, I'm not so hot at this myself. But I keep trying, and even though my plan is always subject to last-minute changes, it does help me navigate through all of my commitments. The theory is sound, and a plan will help you manage your resources during peak demand. Experts tell us that written plans carry the most authority, but if you can't get that far, at least take some time to think about your upcoming obligations; you'll probably find the road ahead will be a little smoother.
In your plan, include all of your social obligations, and consider prioritizing those commitments. Understand that you may have to forego some of those obligations and commitments, because real life sometimes has a way of interfering with our well-laid plans.
Buy ahead. Scrambling for a gift at the last minute can take away a lot of the joy of giving. A thoughtfully chosen gift makes both the giver and the recipient feel good. As well, I've found that when I purchase in advance, I'm a lot more likely to stay within my budget and still give a gift that I feel good about. Otherwise, I tend to get swept away by the emotions of the moment,

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