When Deidre Cross was tens of thousands of dollars in debt, the holiday season became the tipping point that sparked her journey to get out of the red.

B次元官网网址淚 would be the person that would still buy the presents and the gifts and stuff, spending money that I didnB次元官网网址檛 have,B次元官网网址� said Cross, the founder of Ohh You Budget.

B次元官网网址淚 would go into overdraft because my credit cards would be maxed out.B次元官网网址�

Eventually, Cross knew something had to change. She started talking to her friends and family about financial expectations around the holidays, and being honest about the fact that she couldnB次元官网网址檛 continue keeping up appearances.

B次元官网网址淚 could not afford it, to the point where itB次元官网网址檚 just like, we have to have this conversation.B次元官网网址�

Experts say itB次元官网网址檚 common to be stressed about money around the holidays, but talking to friends and family about your budget B次元官网网址� and maybe even agreeing to financial caps on gift-giving B次元官网网址� can remove a lot of anxiety from the holiday season.

B次元官网网址淲e all know that money is a taboo subject, so itB次元官网网址檚 very hard to address that,B次元官网网址� said Angela Iermieri, financial planner at Desjardins.

ThereB次元官网网址檚 a lot of social pressure to keep up with everyone else, she said, especially during the holidays when there are a lot of event invitations and gift-giving.

A recent survey by Coast Capital found 72 per cent of respondents are feeling heightened financial pressure due to the holidays. However, the survey found many still plan to spend on gifts, decor and parties as usual.

Yasamin Alami, a chartered professional accountant and assistant professor at University Canada West, said during the holidays, people often spend a lot of time worrying about money: who to buy gifts for, how much to spend.

Talking about that stress can do a lot to take the weight off, said Alami.

B次元官网网址淚 think itB次元官网网址檚 a really quick conversation, and maybe it is awkward, but having that quick conversation kind of frees up a lot of mental space and rumination over thinking about a gift and what the appropriate value is.B次元官网网址�

Often it feels like you need to match the value of someoneB次元官网网址檚 gift and B次元官网网址渋t becomes this moving target every year,B次元官网网址� she said.

It might feel awkward at first, but you might be surprised at how people react when you bring up the topic, said Iermieri.

B次元官网网址淢aybe everybody feels the same way, but just doesnB次元官网网址檛 want to say it,B次元官网网址� she said.

B次元官网网址淲hatB次元官网网址檚 important in all of this is to be honest with ourselves, if we want to be honest with others.B次元官网网址�

Another survey, this one by Ipsos on behalf of Simplii Financial, found that financial constraints are keeping many Canadians at home for the holidays instead of travelling. More than half of the respondents who do plan to travel say they will be staying in their home province, while many are trying to save with cheaper flights and hotels.

Cross agreed that itB次元官网网址檚 always best to be honest with people if you canB次元官网网址檛 afford to travel for the holidays, buy expensive gifts or attend every party.

B次元官网网址淚f you cannot afford something, donB次元官网网址檛 go into debt or try to do something thatB次元官网网址檚 not within your means,B次元官网网址� she said.

You donB次元官网网址檛 have to go into too many details, added Iermieri, depending on how close you are with the person, but if youB次元官网网址檙e comfortable, you could tell people that youB次元官网网址檙e trying to meet specific financial goals or stick to a budget.

B次元官网网址淚 think itB次元官网网址檚 important, especially with the people that are closer to you, to not be scared to do that,B次元官网网址� she said.

You can suggest setting a price cap on gifts for the season, she said, or suggest a round of Secret Santa, or perhaps a holiday activity in place of gifts.

ItB次元官网网址檚 all about setting boundaries and sticking to them, she said. This may mean checking your calendar and saying no to some party invitations, but thatB次元官网网址檚 better than overspending and having to deal with the credit card bill later.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 very easy to get carried away and say yes to a lot of things,B次元官网网址� said Alami.

B次元官网网址淪o I think being proactive and just setting a budget for yourself is the very first step.B次元官网网址�

When youB次元官网网址檙e telling someone you canB次元官网网址檛 attend a holiday event, you can suggest scheduling something more budget-friendly, or tell them youB次元官网网址檇 love to spend time together in the new year, she said.

B次元官网网址淭he holidays are a time where we fall back on traditions, so itB次元官网网址檚 the concept of weB次元官网网址檝e traditionally done this, or our family does this every year, or my friends expect me to throw this party,B次元官网网址� said Alami.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 OK to have those conversations to say, B次元官网网址楬ow about we build some new traditions?B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�