The holidays are supposed to be merry and bright, but too often financial stress can cloud your time of joy and celebration. One way to free up money is by not allowing social media to push you into spending more than you can afford. This is where de-influencing comes in.

What Is De-Influencing?

As the name would suggest, de-influencing is the countertrend to influencer marketing. Instead of promoting products, de-influencers on popular social media platforms encourage their followers to skip unnecessary purchases, promoting ideas like value, sustainability and financial wellness above consumption. At the core is the question: Do I really need this?

The holiday season can make de-influencing your purchasing behavior especially relevant as finances may be put under pressure through travel and gift costs.

How to De-Influence Your Holiday Spending

1. Start With a Budget and Stick to It

   This may sound similar to the advice we’ve given in other articles, but that’s because it’s an important part of financial well-being. Creating a realistic holiday budget based around your disposable income and expenses can help keep your finances in control. But a budget is only as good as your effort to stick to it.

2. Make a List and Check It Twice

   Don’t make last-minute panic purchases due to lack of planning. Make a gift list for the people in your circle. Make sure everyone you want to buy gifts is accounted for and set a spending cap per person. If you get under budget, you can roll the difference into another gift or expense.

3. Avoid Deal Hype

   Not every deal is as great as it seems. Many early holiday promotions are designed to trigger impulse buying. If it doesn’t fit within your budget, no matter how good the deal may appear, it might be better in the long run for you to miss out and avoid buying a product.

4. Embrace Handmade Gifts

   If you have talent for sewing, knitting, painting, woodworking or some other art or craft, consider making gifts for loved ones. Not only could it save you money, but potentially a gift made from your hands could become more meaningful.

5. Resist Social Media Pressure

   Social platforms are filled with influencer hauls and voices promoting sponsored deals. Just because it’s trending doesn’t mean it’s necessary. Prioritize value and don’t listen to strangers who get paid to sell you product when they tell you something is a “must-have.”

De-influencing your holiday spending isn’t about being cheap or stingy. It’s about being intentional with your time and money. By setting budgets and enforcing boundaries, you can focus on what truly matters this season.

Do you need to build your savings for the holidays and beyond? Cadence Bank can help. With a variety of savings accounts for all lifestyles, we can help you build your savings today. Click to get started!

Sources:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/ariannajohnson/2023/03/08/rise-of-the-deinfluencer-growing-social-media-movement-challenges-influencers-and-consumerism
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/gen-z-influencing-social-media-183006360.html
https://www.npr.org/2024/03/25/1239897929/influencers-deinfluencing-tiktok-instagram-shopping-environment

This article is provided as a free service to you and is for general informational purposes only. Cadence Bank makes no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of the content in the article. The article is not intended to provide legal, accounting or tax advice and should not be relied upon for such purposes.