SOUTHFIELD – U.S. consumers are expected to spend an average of $1,014 on holiday gifts this season, the first time ever that the amount will top $1,000, according to Statista.
To assist families in budgeting so that they do not face heavy bills after the holidays which they struggle to pay off, Gesher Human Services, one of the largest human service agencies in metro Detroit, will be offering a free virtual workshop on Friday, Dec. 6 at 1 p.m. Holiday Budget Bootcamp: Stress Free Spending will help Michiganders conquer holidays costs with ease, provide a step-by-step process to gather essential information about their finances for the holiday season, set a realistic budget and master comparison shopping. To register for the free event, go to //geshermi.org/events.
“Our holiday budget boot camp is to help families avoid getting into debt at the end of the year which then carries on into 2025,” said Gesher’s Financial Education Manager Laltsha Cunningham. “People get tempted to overspend because they feel that giving their loved ones expensive gifts with a high monetary value is spreading holiday cheer. But there are so many other ways to share the joys of the season.”
Cunningham said that sharing experiences and services and finding free events to attend could all make holiday budgets go further. “We want our attendees to leave our virtual workshop feeling confident and prepared to enjoy the holidays without breaking the bank,” she added.
Gesher Human Services also provides one-on-one financial counseling to the community which can be scheduled by calling 248.233.4299 or email [email protected].
