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It's Okay to Be Sad Around the Holidays But You Don’t Have to Be Alone
With twinkling lights, melodious carols, and joyous Christmas parties with friends and family, the holiday season has no shortage of things to fill our hearts with peace and happiness. However, we need to be aware that not everyone is inherently happy around the holidays. For many people, the holiday season brings back memories of loved ones they’ve lost. Because the holiday season is, in large part, about reconnecting with family and friends, people might feel a parent or a child’s absence much more strongly right now than other times during the year. If you have a friend who has lost someone important to them in the last year or so, you may not notice anything different about them around the holidays. That doesn’t mean they’re not hurting. While they might not be open to talking about how they’re feeling, you can still do your part to help them feel some solace. Go out of your way to spend time with friends and family who might be grieving or just feeling down around the holidays, however they seem to want to spend time. That could mean inviting them to Christmas parties they might not otherwise know about, inviting them to help you decorate your house for the holidays (or helping them decorate theirs), or just sharing a holiday meal with them. If they live far away from you, maybe you can send them a gift or a thoughtful card. Whatever you do, just try to let them know they don’t have to go through the holiday season alone. At the same time, if you’ve lost someone in the past year, or the holiday season just makes you reflect on the loved ones you’ve lost over the years, don’t be afraid to seek the help of friends and family. It’s okay if you feel sad around this time of year, but letting those around you know how you’re feeling will perhaps lighten those feelings of loss.
Whether you’re banking with a credit union or a national giant, your financial institution likely offers more resources, account options, and saving plans than you’re using — or even aware of. As one NerdWallet article puts it, “Banks and credit unions continue to find new ways to both delight and confound customers.” If you focus on the delights, you can get more bang for your buck out of the financial institution you’re already using. Plus, there’s a good chance you’ll pick up new ways to stretch your retirement fund, grow your investments, and pass nest eggs to your grandkids along the way. Take these two easy steps to get started. 1. GET CLICKING Even for someone with plenty of internet savvy, bank websites can be intimidating. Most are filled with tabs and portals that overwhelm customers, causing them to limit their interactions to plugging in a username and password to check their balance. Don’t fall into that trap! If you want to get a complete picture of what your bank has to offer, its website is the place to start. Next time you log in, set aside an hour or two to explore the site tab by tab. Take note of products and services you might not be using, like mobile banking apps, 24-hour hotlines, continuing education, and additional account options and their interest rates. Schwab, for example, offers a free online learning center complete with seminars, one-on-one financial advice, and more than 300 informative articles and videos. 2. SCHEDULE A SIT-DOWN If your bank has a brick-and-mortar location near you, make a point to visit it. While there, take the time to learn about the latest updates from the reading materials on offer, make an appointment with a financial analyst, or speak with a bank teller. It’s in your bank’s interest to see your accounts grow, so representatives are happy to help. If you’ve already explored your bank’s website, this is the time to ask follow-up questions on what you found or make a financial move in a new direction. Whether you’ve decided on a 529 plan or a high-interest checking account, your banking representative can make it happen.
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