Holiday Blues: What's in Your Wallet?

Stick a sock in your season to be jolly right now before it istoo late. Capitol One's catchy statement; What's in your wallet?, is fun, but what is the priceyou'll have to pay for using your credit cards this Christmas?

Let's reflect shall we? Christmas, is a time to spread joy and happiness with extensive gift giving while celebrating the birth of Christ, right? Shouldn't we tack on the most depressing time of year? Holiday mental depression, seems to be a contagious diagnosis for a large amount of our society.

Starting from November 1st, while you're rushing to make sure your love ones receive thosegifts they really want, until January 1st when all your credit card bills begin to accumulate.

Do we become so involved that we forget about celebrating the birth of our father, Jesus Christ? Well it seems we only have time to thank him when we finally place that last giftunder the Christmas tree. I know this doesn't apply to most but my sarcasm is based on how much a commercialized marketing season it has become.

Depression on the other hand, isnothing to celebrate andcan intensify as the season progresses. We over extend ourselves for fear of disappointing others making it a very stressful time of year.

SafeUSA.com is a website that gives these recommendations to have a mentally healthy holidayand prevent holiday blues.

*Make a limit for spending and stick to it!

* Don't over drink (it is a sure way of becoming depressed if you're not already.)

* If you know you or someone else becomes lonely during the holiday season, try and make plans now.

* If you have had a recent tragic lost and do not feel festive, tell someone this is how you feel, just because it's the holidays doesn't make it festive. These factors can affect men and women, young and old it doesn't discriminate.

*Have a realistic approach to your holiday limitations.