It is now fall. Feel the cool autumn breeze. See the changing of the leaves. Hear the holiday tunes playing. Taste the fall flavors. Touch the warmer garments. Surely, the holidays are around the corner. For most of the year it seems like a bustle punctuated by holidays, getaways and vacations. So, for some, the holidays are pleasant because they are an opportunity to change the pace and reunite with family and friends more intimately. For others, the holidays may not be as warm, happy or merry, because they seem tainted by the memory of prior meaningful losses or misfortunes.

Many use the end of the year as a time of reflection and recalibration. We review the year to assess our accomplishments against our goals and our losses against our gains. Then we begin to peer into the future, into the year ahead in anticipation of another opportunity to hit goals we missed during the old year or create new targets having conquered those we set.

To celebrate, victories, morn defeats or just be carefree for the holidays, some shop for gifts, trophies, food, drink even new incidentals. Our spending may not be as strict or regulated as in months prior. The momentum of the festivities and celebrations sweep us along and we swipe our credit cards more freely. Then when the dust settles in January, we find ourselves in more debt than we anticipated. Some are left wondering, was it worth it.

What if there was a way to fund more purchases with little to no interest so that more of your hard-earned income stays with you? What if this method of spending became a way of life? The result would be that your wealth would grow more quickly because you would effectively incur much less or little to no debt.

Over a lifetime a typical American earns about two million dollars but sadly saves less than four percent by the time they reach retirement. Unfortunately, 24% of income goes to taxes, 14% to interest and 50% to debt. This is not the American Dream.

During your recalibration, reflect on your spending habits and strive to vector them in a direction that supports the lifestyle you dream of in the future. Happy holidays.