Ghosts of Christmas Past/Present/Future

We all make financial mistakes. The question is what do we learn from them. Ebenezer Scrooge was famously visited by three ghosts. What might those three ghosts represent if our finances were the focus?

• Ghost of Financial Christmas Past

  • Old money mistakes (overspending on holidays, carrying credit card debt, ignoring a budget).

  • Childhood lessons about money and gift-giving (were you taught to save or splurge?).

  • Looking back at how inflation has changed the cost of Christmas over the decades.

• Ghost of Financial Christmas Present

  • Current habits: navigating holiday shopping, setting realistic budgets, balancing generosity with responsibility.

  • The pressure of social media-driven consumerism.

  • Charitable giving and finding meaning in spending now.

• Ghost of Financial Christmas Future

  • How today’s holiday financial decisions affect tomorrow (debt vs. savings).

  • Building traditions around experiences instead of expensive gifts.

  • Retirement planning through a holiday lens (do you want to be “Scrooge,” or comfortable and generous in your later years?).

Human nature frequently gets in the way of good financial decisions. Make sure 2026 gets off to a good start by evaluating your decisions from the past, present and future!