Avoid debt this holiday season

Kim Griffin, UF/IFAS Extension Suwannee County Contributor The holidays are here and with it comes the sights, sounds and spending associated with this time of year! In fact, Americans are expected to spend over $9 billion this holiday season. Overspending can leave you feeling stressed and overwhelmed. To avoid starting the new year with mounds of unwanted debt, follow these simple steps to stay stress free and debt free this holiday season. Step 1: Start with a holiday budget. This should include your regular monthly expenses AND money that you plan to spend on gifts. After your regular monthly expenses are paid, decide how much you want to spend on gifts and other holiday expenses.