'Tis the season of festivities, and in a delightful departure from our typical financial updates, let’s embrace the global spirit of celebration. Join us on this delightful exploration as we unveil five captivating holiday traditions from around the world. It's a journey filled with cultural richness and joyous diversity that is sure to add a sprinkle of excitement to your holiday season! Iceland In the enchanting Icelandic holiday tradition, the Yule Lads, a mischievous gang of troll-like creatures, embark on a 13-day journey leading up to Christmas, bringing both excitement and a hint of mischief to local children. Each night, a distinct lad pays a visit, either bestowing gifts and sweets upon fortunate youngsters or, in less favorable circumstances, dishing out a peculiar form of punishment by leaving a shoe filled with not-so-delightful surprises—rotten potatoes. It's a whimsical blend of festive cheer and a touch of Yuletide unpredictability! Bahamas Escape to the sun-kissed paradise of the Bahamas, where the allure of turquoise waters meets the vibrant rhythms of Junkanoo—an annual extravaganza that transforms the islands into a pulsating carnival of celebration. From December 26 to New Year's Day, Bahamians sway to the beats of cowbells, drums, and whistles, creating an irresistible tapestry of sound. Picture dancing troupes, numbering up to a thousand, adorned in dazzling costumes and elaborate headdresses, captiva
As wonderful as they can be, the holidays are usually stressful. Between juggling your usual responsibilities, attending holiday parties, spending time with family and friends, and braving the crowds to shop or go out, there is never enough time or money. Here are a few tips we think are worth sharing to help ease your stress and get the most out of your time and money this holiday season. 1. Make a budget: Our recommendation for most families is that they don’t spend more than 1% of their annual household income on the holidays. So, if you have a combined income of $200,000, you would have $2,000 to spend. 2. Make a list: By making a gift list and thinking about how much to spend on each person, you’ll have a better idea of what your budget should be. Although it’s easy to overlook the small costs, those are the ones that can add up quickly. Remember that this budget should also include things like cards, postage, décor, wrapping paper and bows, food, parties, and even travel. 3. Create a spending cap for each person: This goes along with #2 - there are so many groups to buy for – family, friends, coworkers, even the mailman. We recommend creating a cap for each person – a total budget tends to quickly get out of hand when you don’t add it up until your shopping is