November has traditionally been the month when we gather around tables, count our blessings and begin thinking about the holidays ahead.
But these days, the holiday shopping season rarely waits for November.
Christmas displays appeared long before the Halloween decorations came down. “Early” holiday sales started weeks ago, and by the time Black Friday arrives, many of us will have already been surrounded by promotions promising that now is the time to buy.
Before we’ve even reached Thanksgiving, we’ve had weeks of messages encouraging us to spend.
That makes November a particularly fitting time to think about financial wellness—not simply as a matter of how much money we have, but how intentionally we use it.
Financial wellness isn’t about spending less. And it certainly isn’t about feeling guilty for enjoying what we’ve worked hard to achieve. It’s about making sure our financial choices reflect what matters most to us—and the holidays can put that intention to the test.
A good deal on something we already planned to buy can absolutely be a smart financial decision. The problem comes when the deal becomes the reason we buy it.
And here’s a distinction we don’t talk about often enough: A purchase can be completely affordable and still not be worthwhile.
The question isn’t necessarily, “Can I afford this?”
Sometimes the better question is, “Is this how I want to use what I have?”
Maybe the answer is absolutely yes. Buy the extraordinary gift. Take the trip. Create the experience your family will talk about for years. Entertain generously or support an organization doing work you care deeply about. Financial wellness should include enjoying what we’ve worked hard to build.
But before clicking “buy” on the next limited-time offer, there’s one more question worth asking. I call it the January test:
Will I still feel good about this purchase when the bill arrives in January?
Notice the question isn’t, “Can I pay for it?:
Instead, it’s, “Was it worth it?”
That small shift can change the way we think about holiday spending. It moves the decision away from what we can spend and toward what we actually value.
The holidays also give us an opportunity to pass those values along. Children and grandchildren notice what we celebrate, what we prioritize and how we give. They can learn that generosity isn’t measured only by a price tag—and that having the ability to spend doesn’t mean every opportunity to spend deserves a yes.
Gratitude and good financial stewardship have something important in common: both ask us to recognize the value of what we already have.
So celebrate. Travel. Give wonderful gifts. Make memories. Be generous.
Just do it on purpose.
Because financial wellness isn’t ultimately about spending more or spending less. It’s having the confidence to know that what we spend today, what we save for tomorrow and what we give to others all reflect what matters most to us.
And maybe, in a season constantly encouraging us to want more, that’s the real meaning of enough.
Hometown Banknotes – Podcast Feature
Tune in to Hometown Banknotes! Hosted by Janice C. Spooner with NBT Financial Bank. Listen now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts—just press play and tune in!
Janice C. Spooner, Regional President at NBT Financial Bank, has spent over 14 years actively serving the Southlake Community through banking leadership, chamber involvement, and local partnerships.
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