2013 Christmas Spending Guide (A How-To Guide On Avoiding Spending Aftershock)

We are in the heart of spending season. Whether it’s a party, secret Santa, not-so-secret-Santa, flights, or stringing up lights on your house, there are a million and one ways to spend during December.

In the lead up to the end of the year, there are some ways you can lock it down (Budgeting all year long, keeping careful track of all your purchases, re-gifting the double crockpot that Nana got you last year) but frankly, those are tough. They take a lot of work, and they’re not realistic when everything gets so busy.

That’s why Mogo is here with a 5 Step Spending Guide that is guaranteed to get you through the holiday season totally debt free!

Step 1: Decide how much you want to spend on gifts this year

Be honest, take a minute to see how much you’re able to spend, and get that number in your head. This one is the hardest part, and it’ll only take you a few minutes. Be honest with yourself, and set yourself up for success. That old saying about ‘it’s the thought that counts’? It’s true. Get a realistic number that you’ll feel good about now, and in January.

Step 2: Load up your personalized Mogo Prepaid Visa Card

This part is easy. Take the number you decided on in Step 1, and put it on your card. (Don’t have a prepaid Visa® card from us? Get one here).

Step 3: Shop Online, In Person, Anywhere!

You can use your Mogo Visa anywhere that accepts Visa® cards. This gives you the freedom to Christmas shop in your underwear, without getting dirty looks from moms at the mall — do it from your laptop and skip all the lines!

Step 4: Stop buying when the money runs out

This one can be tough sometimes… but all you have to do is, well, nothing! Shop until you’re done, then you’re done. It’s that easy.

Step 5: Relax and enjoy the holidays

Hit the slopes, grab an egg nog, fantasize about building a pool in your back yard — you know, holiday stuff. You just survived the season, debt free! If you stick to these easy to follow steps, you’re golden (and silver, too).

Happy Spending!