You know in college football and in the pros when scheduling conflicts arise and the teams don't play one particular week? They call that taking a bye. That's what I think we should all do this Christmas—instead of buying, we all take a bye for the holiday season. We all just skip it and not buy gifts.
Today, you suddenly realized that there's only 39 days left until Christmas and you don't even have a clue who you're going to buy for, what you can afford to get and where you're going to get the money. So, what are you going to do? How about nothing? How about that for an idea? What if everyone just took a pass for this holiday season and no one gave anything to anybody? You won't have to buy anything for anyone because no one is going to buy anything for you. I think that's fair. That gets rid of the guilt trip. Everyone just smiles and nods at each other all through December until the end of the year ... and we all get through it without incurring more debt.
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"What did you get for Christmas?"
"Nothing, how about you?"
"Not a damn thing. Isn't this great?"
"Yeah, but wasn't little Billy expecting a bicycle this Christmas?"
"Yeah, well he didn't get one! But, it's OK, he didn't have to get his Dad a freakin' thing either!"
"I love these new holidays. I paid off a credit card and have enough left for the January mortgage, and all because we took a bye for Christmas."
Hey, nobody has any extra money this holiday season. Instead of buying, take a bye this year. Golfers call it a "mulligan." (a do over). Take a "mulligan" this year and a do over for the next. It will be the best season ever. Now, if only we could boycott birthday presents.
Happy holidays and nice talking to you.
