Month: December 2025

Your Guide to Last Minute Holiday Shopping on a Budget

Posted on by Carley Shaffer

Your Guide to Last Minute Holiday Shopping on a Budget

19 December 2025 3 Min read
Dollars & Sense

Holiday shopping is meant to feel exciting, but when the holidays are right around the corner, it can quickly become stressful. Between last minute gift lists, limited time, and rising costs, staying on budget can feel challenging.

The good news is that even late in the season, holiday shopping does not have to mean overspending. A few simple strategies can help you stay in control while still giving thoughtful gifts.

Start with a holiday shopping plan

Last minute holiday shopping is easier with a plan. Take a few minutes to outline what still needs to be purchased and how much you can comfortably spend.

Start by answering:

  1. Who are you shopping for
  2. How much can you spend overall
  3. What purchases are still outstanding

Helpful tips:

  • Write down everyone on your list
  • Set a clear dollar range per person
  • Include wrapping and delivery costs
  • Keep your list accessible while shopping

Focus on thoughtful, not expensive, gifts

Holiday shopping does not have to be about spending more. Thoughtful gifts often feel more meaningful than expensive ones.

Look for gifts that:

  • Match their interests
  • Are practical and easy to enjoy right away
  • Feel personal without being complicated

Keeping your focus on intention helps prevent overspending.

Set boundaries around impulse spending

Impulse purchases are one of the biggest budget breakers during holiday shopping, especially when time is limited.

To stay on track:

  • Pause before buying items not on your list
  • Avoid shopping when rushed or distracted
  • Keep a simple running total of spending

Use flexible payment options thoughtfully

For larger or last minute purchases, flexible payment options can help manage cash flow during the holidays.

With Perpay, eligible users can unlock up to a $1,000 spending limit instantly, making it easier to shop top brands when you need them most.

For some shoppers, this can make holiday shopping more manageable when budgets are tight. As always, choose options that fit comfortably within your overall financial plan.

Remember what matters most

Holiday shopping is just one part of the season. Shared moments, traditions, and time together often matter more than the price of a gift.

If your budget feels stretched:

  • Set spending limits with family or friends
  • Suggest gift exchanges or simple shared experiences
  • Choose handwritten notes or small treats

Make holiday shopping work for you

Whether you planned ahead or are shopping at the last minute, staying intentional helps. With a clear plan and mindful choices, holiday shopping can stay within budget and still feel good, even as the season winds down.

Winter Road Trip Essentials for Safe and Stress-Free Holiday Travel

Posted on by Carley Shaffer

Winter Road Trip Essentials for Safe and Stress-Free Holiday Travel

19 December 2025 3 Min read
Life Hacks

Winter road trips can be some of the most memorable parts of the holiday season. At the same time, winter weather, shorter days, and busy travel schedules can introduce extra stress if you are not prepared.

That is why planning and packing the right road trip essentials matter so much. With a few thoughtful preparations, you can protect your safety, reduce unexpected disruptions, and focus on enjoying the trip instead of worrying about what could go wrong.

Below are some practical winter road trip essentials to help you travel with confidence and peace of mind this holiday season.

Car essentials

One of the most important road trip essentials starts before you ever leave your driveway. Cold temperatures can affect your car in ways that may not show up during warmer months.

Before a winter road trip, take time to check the following:

  • Tire tread depth and air pressure
  • Battery health, especially if it is more than a few years old
  • Headlights, brake lights, and turn signals
  • Windshield wiper condition and washer fluid rated for freezing temperatures

Top off antifreeze and oil as needed. Clear visibility and reliable performance are critical road trip essentials when driving in winter conditions.

Emergency supplies you should always carry

Even with careful planning, winter weather can be unpredictable. That is why emergency supplies are important road trip essentials for cold-weather travel.

Consider keeping these things in your car:

Having these road trip essentials on hand can help you stay calm and prepared if you encounter snow, ice, or unexpected delays.

Navigation and planning essentials for winter travel

Winter road trips require more planning than summer drives. Shorter daylight hours and changing weather conditions can affect timing and routes.

Make sure your navigation road trip essentials are ready:

  • GPS apps with real-time traffic and weather updates
  • Offline maps downloaded in case of poor signal
  • Alternate routes planned ahead of time

Building extra time into your schedule is another important road trip essential. Driving cautiously and allowing for delays can reduce stress and support safer decisions on the road.

Roadside assistance as a winter safety net

Even with preparation, breakdowns and flat tires can still happen in cold weather. That is why roadside assistance remains one of the most valuable road trip essentials.

Better World Club, a roadside assistance provider known for its environmentally responsible approach. CSC app users can get 15% off when they join Better World Club by using the discount code CSC15 at checkout. Having coverage in place means help is available during the unexpected, adding an extra layer of peace of mind during the busy holiday season.

Make road trip essentials part of your holiday routine

Preparing your road trip essentials does not have to feel overwhelming. Just like the small, consistent habits highlighted in our blog about managing holiday stress, simple preparation can go a long way in supporting peace of mind throughout the season.

A well-prepared winter road trip allows you to focus on what really matters. Arriving safely, staying present, and enjoying time with the people and places you care about most. With the right road trip essentials in place, holiday travel can feel less stressful and more enjoyable.

Relaxing Activities to Help You Unwind During the Busy Holiday Season

Posted on by Carrie Beach

Relaxing Activities to Help You Unwind During the Busy Holiday Season

3 December 2025 5 Min read
Life Hacks

The holidays can be one of the best times of the year, but they can also feel nonstop. Between travel plans, end-of-year deadlines, family gatherings, gift lists, and everyday responsibilities, it is easy to get overwhelmed. That is why making space for relaxing activities matters so much. A few intentional moments of rest can help you recharge, stay present, and actually enjoy the season instead of just pushing through it.

The good news is that relaxing activities do not have to be complicated or time-consuming. Small, realistic choices can make a big difference in how you feel day to day. Below are simple, accessible ideas to help you unwind during the busy holiday season.

Create a cozy corner for quick breaks

When life gets busy, it helps to have a small space that signals rest. You do not need a big home makeover. One of the easiest relaxing activities is creating a cozy corner that is there whenever you need a quick break.

Choose a chair, a spot on the couch, or even one side of your bed. Add a blanket, a pillow, or a soft light. Keep a few comforting items nearby, like a journal, a candle, or your favorite tea.

Even if you only step into your cozy corner for ten minutes, it creates a boundary between stress and rest. Over time, it becomes a built-in way to unwind.

Take a walk with no agenda

Walking is a classic stress reliever because it gets your body moving without requiring much effort. During the holidays, a simple walk can be one of the most grounding, relaxing activities you can choose.

  • Walk around your neighborhood and notice seasonal changes
  • Look at holiday lights, winter trees, or the early sunset
  • Leave your phone in your pocket so the walk stays restful
  • Treat it as a break, not another errand

To make this feel more like a reset, choose a route you enjoy. The point is not distance. The point is giving your mind space to breathe.

Try stretching or yoga

You do not need a full workout to feel better. In fact, during a packed season, gentle movement can support rest more than intensity. Stretching is one of those relaxing activities that can bring immediate relief, especially when stress shows up in your neck, shoulders, and lower back.

Roll your shoulders, stretch your hips, and loosen your spine. If you enjoy yoga, try a slow flow or restorative practice. Many free videos offer sessions designed specifically for relaxation.

If you are new to yoga, start with a few simple poses; the focus is not on perfect form, but to let your body relax.

Make an evening wind-down routine

Holiday nights can be as busy as holiday days. Between wrapping gifts, cleaning up after gatherings, or finishing last-minute tasks, bedtime can feel rushed. A wind-down routine is one of the most consistent relaxing activities you can use to protect your rest.

  • Dim the lights an hour before bed
  • Take a warm shower or bath
  • Change into comfortable clothes early
  • Drink tea while you unwind

Even if your routine is short, the repetition helps your brain shift into rest mode. It becomes a signal that you are ready to slow down.

Give yourself a screen-free break

Phones and social media help stay connected during the holidays, but they also keep your mind busy. Taking a screen-free break is a low-effort way to add more relaxing activities to your week.

Pick a time of day when you can step away from screens, even if it is just for fifteen minutes. Use that time to do something tactile and quiet. You might fold laundry, organize a small drawer, water plants, or sit outside. These small tasks can be soothing because they keep your hands busy without overstimulating your mind.

Watch or listen to something comforting

Not all entertainment is relaxing, especially when it is fast-paced or loud. This is one of those relaxing activities that feel like a treat while still helping you recharge.

  • Rewatch a favorite movie or comfort show
  • Put on a podcast while you cook
  • Build a holiday playlist

Ask for help when you need it

Sometimes the most relaxing activity is letting someone else take something off your plate. Holiday stress often builds when you feel responsible for everything. If there are tasks you can delegate, consider doing it.

This could mean asking a family member to handle part of the cooking, splitting errands with a friend, or hiring help for a home project you have been putting off. Access to trusted partners like Thumbtack can help you find pros for home cleaning, organizing, handyman work, and more. CSC app users can get a $100 rebate when they hire a pro through Thumbtack.

Keep relaxing activities simple and consistent

You do not need a perfect plan to unwind. The most effective relaxing activities are the ones you can do consistently. A quiet coffee, a short walk, a stretch, or a screen-free pause can all help you relax.

The holiday season will always be full. But it does not have to be draining. When you build in moments of rest, you protect your energy and your joy. Start with one or two relaxing activities that feel realistic right now, and let them be your steady anchor through the season.

If you keep coming back to small ways to unwind, you will likely notice that the holidays feel less like a sprint and more like something you can actually enjoy.