I Ask You: Is reluctance to spend $$ at Christmas rational?

In an earlier post I revealed that 44 % of respondents to a recent survey say they will spend less money on Christmas this year.

Also, 75 % of respondents said “they planned to use any extra income or a bonus to pay down debt or save.”

I ask you, re Canadians who show a reluctance to spend and a desire to save actually being rational?

Said a spokesperson for Deloitte Canada:

“The Canadian consumer has weathered the storm well. They are holding their own, but there is reluctance to spend money and that’s rational.” (Nov. 17, London Free Press)

I agree, it’s rational.

(I’d applaud more loudly if survey reps would actually call us ‘people’ every once in awhile, and not consumers first or foremost.

Dictionary definition - rational - endowed with reason, reasoning; sensible, sane, moderate, not foolish or absurd or extreme.

Going into more debt at Christmas time is not sensible. It’s insane. Buying more stuff is often foolish and absurd, especially when the giver can’t afford it and the receiver doesn’t really need it.

I ask you -

how can we escape the buying frenzy?

how can we approach the Christmas season rationally?

how can we control our spending without it controlling us?

***

Counting today, there are 32 days before Christmas arrives.

Let’s use them wisely.


["Maybe I'll make birdhouses and fill them w shortbreads": photo GH]

Recent photographs from the side of the road here.

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