Are you caught in a cycle of overdoing and overspending that seems to repeat itself every year? Innocent lack of planning combined with doing what feels good at the moment when trying to please relatives, the children and loved ones can create financial regret in January.

It is possible to make December a debt-free holiday. It's not always easy, but it's possible. Ultimately, having a debt-free Christmas is a matter of choice. Are you ready to choose to be debt free? Here are some steps to achieve freedom from debt during Christmas. 

1. Apply the values you live by to the holidays. Think of values like responsibility, trust, self-control, balance, respect, forgiveness, fairness, honesty, kindness, and love. The holidays isn't only about the gifts we give out.

2. Change your attitude about the holidays. Begin with your actions rather than your feelings. Determine that you are going to have a debt-free season and begin acting upon that new attitude. Remove the credit cards from your wallet. Set aside money for an emergency so you will not have to run back to your credit cards. Tell others, including your family about your commitment.

3. Plan in practical ways to pay cash. Start a holiday fund, set spending limits in a written budget, and plan to give presents that express love in other ways than through the spending of large sums of money. If necessary, use an envelope system and carry around the cash to pay for presents as a reminder of how much money is available to spend.