Holiday Budgeting Mistakes That Follow You Into January | No Spend January: The Smart Holiday Reset

The holidays are supposed to bring joy — not January credit-card regret.
In this festive episode of Dollars & Sense, Rob Field and Zach Keister break down why holiday spending is so emotional, how easy it is to blow your budget, and what you can do right now to protect your financial future.

With a mix of humor, real-world examples, and practical advice, this episode covers everything from why Buy Now, Pay Later can quietly wreck your budget, to creative gift ideas that actually build long-term value, and how a simple No Spend January can help you reset after the holidays.

✨ What You’ll Learn
🎄 Why holiday spending is driven by emotion — not logic — and how advertising fuels overspending
💰 Why the average American is expected to spend $1,600+ on holiday gifts and travel
💳 How Buy Now, Pay Later services like Affirm and Afterpay make overspending feel painless — until the bills arrive
🧠 How neuromarketing manipulates spending behavior during the holidays
📝 Why making a list — and sticking to it — is one of the most powerful budgeting tools
🎁 Thoughtful gift ideas that go beyond toys and gift cards
🎓 How 529 college savings plans and UTMA custodial accounts can be meaningful long-term gifts
❄️ What No Spend January is — and how it helps undo December’s financial damage
📆 How small changes now can set the tone for a stronger financial year ahead

⏱️ Chapters
🎅 00:00 – Holiday Fun, Traditions & Setting the Stage
🎬 04:10 – Is Die Hard a Christmas Movie?
💸 07:15 – Why Holiday Spending Feels Out of Control
📊 10:40 – Shocking Holiday Spending Statistics
🧠 13:25 – Emotional Spending & Neuromarketing Explained
📝 18:05 – Budgeting Tips to Avoid Overspending
🎁 22:45 – Smarter Gift Ideas That Actually Matter
🎓 27:10 – 529 Plans: The Gift That Grows
💼 32:30 – UTMA Accounts: Flexible Gifting for Kids
💳 38:20 – Buy Now, Pay Later: Why It’s a Trap
❄️ 44:15 – What Is No Spend January?
📆 50:30 – How to Reset After the Holidays
🎯 56:10 – Final Takeaways for a Strong Financial Start

📘 FREE Book + Workbook
Looking for a meaningful gift this season — or a fresh financial start?
Request your FREE copy of the Next Gen Dollars & Sense book and companion workbook here:
👉 https://www.nelsonfinancialplanning.c...

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💵 About Dollars & Sense: 💵
Hosted by Joel Garris, a Certified Financial Planner and Fiduciary at Nelson Financial Planning, Dollars & Sense is one of Central Florida’s longest-running radio programs and a top 25 financial planning podcast. Each week, Joel and his team provide expert insights to help you make sense of all your financial decisions.

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About Joel Garris:
Joel Garris is a Certified Financial Planner and Fiduciary at Nelson Financial Planning. He’s dedicated to providing comprehensive financial advice to help you achieve your retirement goals. With a team of expert advisors, Nelson Financial Planning is committed to delivering personalized and effective retirement and financial planning solutions.

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