The social pressure guilty of the great expenses in gifts during Christmas
Christmas arrives and with it numerous purchases, among which there are gifts. A present for those people so special that at this time of year they see how that illusion they have had for a long time becomes real. However, in some occasions this situation entails a great waste for the family economy that makes a too high expense.
But, why does this expense occur in gifts? Many families are aware that this investment will entail a hard recovery afterwards and even then they allocate large amounts to this end. On this matter he has addressed the European Consumer Payments Report where it is clear that the social pressure and constant messages inciting consumerism are the elements that explain this high amount of money invested in presents.
Almost half feel the pressure
The data from this study indicate that around 40% of parents in Spain felt pressured socially to make expensive purchases during the Christmas campaign. Of all of them, 91% confirm that this invitation involved the purchase of a product that was a blow to the family economy. Percentage that puts our country four points ahead of the European average at 87%.
The profile of the socially depressed father to buy is that of a young person, between 18 and 24 years old, stage in which 8 out of 10 parents felt this invitation to consumption. Nor can it be obviated that 6 out of 10 adults between 25 and 34 years felt coerced to make a high expenditure of gifts during the Christmas campaign.
The products that were bought the most because of this social pressure were new technologies. The 26% of the parents acknowledges having acquired a computer that was out of their real economic options. 25% say they have done the same with a smartphone for their children. In the case of video game consoles and games for them, the percentage stays at 21%.
The most obvious result of this social pressure is the indebtedness of the family economy since 28% of the parents participating in this investigation acknowledge having requested a loan or exhausted the credit of their card to face the expenses in these dates. "Households whose parents are exposed to social pressure of this type have a greater risk that their finances will lead to unsound long-term indebtedness," explains Alejandro Zurbano, general director of Intrum Justitia and Lindorff, the entity responsible for this report. .
Smart shopping at Christmas
Not squandering at Christmas seems an impossible mission, but in reality following a series of tips such as those offered by the Organization of Consumers and Users, OCU, the goal becomes real:
- Make lists to plan and stagger. OCU recommends to elaborate 3 lists (food, gifts and toys) that include everything necessary. What does not appear in this compendium will not be purchased. You can also include dates to stagger the expenses, although remember, while later
- Compare is save. Do not stay with the first price you see, especially in larger purchases such as gifts from minors.
- Run away from quick loans to avoid long-term debt problems. Something that should also apply to card payment that can generate undesirable long-term surprises.
- Be careful with the bargains. In December suspicious discounts appear, review the terms and remember this time there is so much demand that the stores do not need to reduce to sell everything.
- Rate online purchases. Maybe they take a little longer but on the internet you can find good discounts that allow you to save. But remember, check the opinions of other users before going for these articles.
- Eye the decoration. An expense that often fall families without noticing is the decoration of the same home. Sometimes less is more and you have to look for a Christmas touch, not that the house can be seen from the sky. In addition, the lights of the portal or of the tree can also suppose an important expense in the invoice.
- Create special and affordable menus. An important lesson when planning the Christmas dinner is to buy with the head and not with the eye. In view of the consumer, many very appealing products are presented. But you have to remember the limit of the stomach and not take home more than necessary.
Damián Montero
