Contact Us

University of Illinois Extension serving Livingston, McLean and Woodford Counties

Livingston/McLean/Woodford Unit (Main Office)
402 North Hershey Road
Bloomington, IL 61704
Phone: 309-663-8306
FAX: 309-663-8270
Hours: Monday - Friday 8 am to 5 pm

Livingston County Office
1412 S Locust
Pontiac, IL 61764
Phone: 815-842-1776
FAX: 815-842-6547
Hours: Monday - Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm (Closed 12 - 1pm)

UNITY Community Center
UNITY Community Center
632 Orlando Avenue
Normal, IL 61761
Phone: 309-862-4041
FAX: 309-663-8270
Hours: Monday - Friday 12 noon - 7 pm

Woodford County Office
P.O. Box 162
117 West Center
Eureka, IL 61530
Phone: 309-467-3789
FAX: 309-467-6034
Hours: Monday - Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm (Closed 12 - 1pm)

News Release

Hello Holiday Season

October 5, 2011

When the leaves start to change color and we flip our calendars to October, it seems as though the holiday season starts up and keeps going into the New Year. While the holidays can be a wonderful time, it also can be a time of high expenses. This year, start the holiday season by deciding how much you can comfortably spend and set-up a spending plan. Enjoy the holidays by planning your spending wisely.

Traditionally we talk about saving money in terms of gift-buying. But for many people costs include many things beyond gifts. Consider the results from a recent PriceGrabber's survey: household costs for Halloween include brand-new costumes (48% of respondents with children), home decorations (70% plan new purchases), and 18% of respondents plan to dress up their pets. "Halloween has always been a fun holiday at our home, and I know that many years my Halloween expenses included candy, party treats, and adult costumes too," comments Kathy Sweedler, University of Illinois Extension educator.

Perhaps you're thinking, "Sure, I have Halloween expenses, but they really aren't much." "Well, you might want to consider tracking your expenses this year," suggests Sweedler. According to a Savers, Inc. survey, the average family is expected to spend $300 on Halloween this year.

After Halloween comes Thanksgiving (food, travel, and decorating expenses) and then winter holidays such as Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa with other expenses. By the time the credit card bills arrive in January, we will have New Year's celebration expenses too. To avoid a January with too many bills, plan now how much you want to spend in the next few months. Then stick to your plan.

The holiday season is a good time to stay organized. Make a list of all your expenses for each holiday and estimate how much you will spend. If you need help thinking of expense categories, University of Illinois Extension's worksheet, "Control Your Holiday Debt," at http://ow.ly/6JaZO is useful. For example, don't forget flowers and holiday plants -- and did you remember postage and shipping costs?

Once you have expenses listed, add up all of your costs. Are you comfortable with the total amount? If not, you may want to make changes to your plan.

Carefully manage your use of credit cards. Many people find it helpful to limit holiday shopping to one credit card. It makes bill paying easier and provides a clearer picture of your spending.

Managing your holiday spending can help you keep the holidays joyful! If you'd like to learn more holiday tips, register today for "Brighten Your Holidays" presented by University of Illinois Extension educators. Topics for this fun workshop include going "green" for the holidays, fun activities to get everyone moving after that holiday meal, savvy strategies for holiday spending, as well as yummy and healthy holiday recipes.

The program will be offered on two different dates at U of I Extension office locations: November 9th at 1:00 PM in Eureka (Woodford County Office); November 10th at 6:30 PM in Pontiac (Livingston County Office. The fee is $5.00 per person to cover the cost of materials and refreshments. To register online, go to http://web.extension.illinois.edu/lmw/ or call 309-467-3789 for the Eureka location and (815) 842-1776 for Pontiac.

Everyone is invited to attend. If you need reasonable accommodations to participate, please let us know.

Local Contact: Kathy Sweedler, Extension Educator, Consumer Economics, sweedler@illinois.edu