Did you know that many of your favorite holiday songs have hidden financial messages in the lyrics?
From ideas on saving money to planning ahead and being charitable, here is our list of money lessons from our favorite holiday songs.
3 Money Lessons from Your Favorite Holiday Songs
1. My Favorite Things
Money Lesson: Find creative (read: free or cheap) ways to have fun this holiday season.
Did you know that this catchy tune from one of the most popular musicals has been featured on numerous holiday albums?
This song is all about using your imagination to have a good time. And there’s no better season to remember this lesson than during the most expensive time of year.
The good news is that with a little creativity – as Maria encourages in the Sound of Music – you can create lasting memories without blowing your holiday budget. Examples of budget-friendly winter activities include building a snowman, stargazing, enjoying at-home movie nights and checking out local festivals.
2. 12 Days of Christmas
Money Lesson: Less is more when it comes to gift-giving. And who really needs five golden rings?!
In other words, don’t be like the “true love” in the song and overspend on gifts during the holidays, especially if you can’t afford it.
After all, Americans who went into debt during the holidays in 2018, found themselves $1,230 in the hole, an increase from $1,054 the year before according to a Magnify Money report. Plus, nearly half of individuals surveyed said it would take them at least five months to pay off their holiday debt, thus creating a lingering financial burden long after they take down their Christmas trees.
The good news is that with a bit of planning, you can create a solid gift-giving strategy that will allow you to avoid a financial hangover when the new year begins.
3. All I Want for Christmas is You
Money Lesson: Remember the reason for the season.
The Queen of Christmas (AKA Mariah Carey) gets it so right with this pop holiday song. She truly doesn’t want a lot for Christmas. Instead of wishing for snow or worrying about presents under the tree, she only wants one thing: to see her loved one “standing right outside the door.”
Sometimes we can get so caught up in the holiday shopping frenzy that we forget the most important gift of all: spending time with those nearest and dearest to us.
Final Thoughts
The next time you listen to your favorite holiday playlist, pay attention to the nuggets of wisdom about your financial sitch. This will help you get through this joyous season and beyond.
Happy Holidays from the Chime family!
