Holiday Debt Without the Hangover: A Pre-Season Guide for Seattle-Area Families

The weeks before Black Friday set the tone for your entire holiday season. A few smart moves in November can keep credit cards manageable and your stress low—so January doesn’t arrive with a financial “surprise.”

 

1) Start with a written holiday plan (and a number)

Decide what you can spend in total, then break it into gifts, travel, food, and events. Give every dollar a job before it’s swiped.

 

2) Freeze impulse buys

Wait 24 hours on any non-essential purchase. Put “flash deals” through a simple test: Do we truly need it, can we afford it, and will we still be glad in January?

 

3) Use safer payment strategies

Prefer debit or cash for planned purchases. If you use credit, set a same-day payoff reminder.

 

4) Watch the “BNPL” creep

Buy-now-pay-later plans are still debt. Track them together with your budget so installments don’t stack up.

 

5) If you’re already juggling balances

Consider snowball/avalanche payoff plans and call creditors to ask about hardship programs. If balances keep growing despite your best effort, it may be time to talk through formal options with a professional.

We help individuals and families across the Seattle–Bothell area understand Chapter 7 and Chapter 13—so you can choose a path with clarity, not shame.