The countdown to December 25th is on...it's less than 10 days away! For many this holiday season will be no different than the last; Straight Talk on Debt: Financial Values & the Holidaysdozens of gifts under the tree, stellar light displays, and party trays piled high enough to fill an army. For others this year might be different... in a good way.

Tough economic times have taken their toll on millions of families across the US leaving them with less than perfect financial positions. In an effort to keep expenses to a minimum some are planning to celebrate a gift less holiday-complete with memories that are sure to last a lifetime.

The holidays aren't the only reason to celebrate; from financial challenges to new beginnings many families are turning over a new leaf so to speak and planning for new beginnings in 2012.

How about you? Have you considered a gift less holiday season? Are you gearing up to take on your financial challenges in 2012?

The Value of the Holidays 

  • What About a Gift-Less Christmas? @freefrombroke "Each year, and especially in this economic climate, families are guilt-tripped into loading up their credit cards and depleting savings to keep up with what the holiday season expects of them. This just isn't fair." 
  • The Santa Index: How Much is Santa Worth? @Flexo "The graphic included here takes a similar approach and applies it to Santa Claus. Looking at the work Santa does in order for Christmas to be successful, researchers have determined that Santa's annual income should be almost $133,000. Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, they used median salaries for jobs like farmworker (to represent Santa's reindeer wrangling), correspondence clerk (to represent Santa's letter reading), and retail sales (to represent Santa's shopping on behalf of consumers)." 
  • Why gift cards work. @survivngthrivng "I love looking for the perfect gift, whether it comes from a rummage sale or a department store. But I also realize that a teen-aged niece might prefer to buy her own clothes, books or music." 

  • Toys: The Biggest Money Pit Ever @sooverdebt "However, when one obsession ends and another begins, I'm left trying to figure out what to do with all the stuff he no longer wants. And I can't help thinking about all the money I've lost due to the insane depreciation of toys, video games, and movies. I'm pretty sure I could buy a car with all the money I've spent in 13 years." 

The Value of Financial Decisions 

  • Take Control of Your Debt by Setting a Time Goal @PFBytheBook "Yes, debt can be overwhelming, but setting a time goal will help you take control of your debt. Believe me: you can do it. Furthermore, once you get started, you will gain momentum instead of running out of steam." 
  • How to Eat Healthy on a Budget @OneMoneyDesign "In our world filled with genetically modified foods, pesticides, herbicides, and hormones, eating healthy is becoming more and more of an issue. But it is also hitting our pocketbooks quite hard as the healthier the food the more the cost can be."  
  • 5 Things Nobody Tells You About Being Poor - For Good Reason @LenPenzo "I just finished reading an article at Cracked.com that my teenage son showed me entitled 5 Things Nobody Tells You About Being Poor - written by a self-professed member of America's "working poor." Unfortunately, I found it to be full of excuses, cop-outs, and lame defenses for why it's "incredibly difficult" to get away from that situation." 
  • Tax moves to make before the end of the year @Bucksome "Its surprising how much a few hours of reflection produces in terms of changes or tweaks we need to make as well as making us feel good about areas where we succeeded. If you do something similar, there may be some last minute strategies that you can look into to reduce you tax burden." 
  • Financial Implications of Family @DrDeanBurke "I realized there are many situations where my extended families' financial decisions could impact mine. We can be affected significantly by the decisions and actions or inaction's of those we love."
  • Money Myths Debunked - Alternative Ways to Manage Your Finances @MoneyCrashers "We've all been there: You hear a motivational speaker discuss personal finance, or you read the latest financial advice column in a newspaper or magazine. For a while you feel fired up, ready to transform your financial life, and maybe even become the next rags-to-riches story."

Suzanne CramerSuzanne Cramer  

Suzanne is a certified credit counselor and a Social Media Specialist for CareOne Debt Relief Services. Suzanne writes for Divorce, Debt and Finances and A Straight Talk on Debt. Follow Suzanne on Twitter @ADivorcedMom  and @AskCareOne where she shares her insights on divorce and managing your finances.