Research proves THIS as the best gift for Holidays

Gift giving, especially during the holiday season, has long been a favorite subject of study of human behavior, with economists, financial analysts, psychologists, anthropologists and retailers all weighing in on the results. Each group has its own reason for much interest in people's feelings and gift-giving behavior. They have found that giving gifts is a surprisingly complex and important part of human interaction, helping to define relationships and strengthen bonds with family and friends. Indeed, psychologists say it is often the giver, rather than the recipient, who reaps the biggest psychological gains from a gift. A group of 10000 people across all age groups were asked to comment during the 2015 holiday season - pre and post holidays,to comment on how they felt about giving and receiving gifts. Out of the 7340 people who responded, there was a clear winner and a distinction between the top two gifts and the rest. Three out of four who responded agreed that the holiday season is getting more stressful and materialistic. So here are winners:

1) TIME 

28% of respondents expressed spending time with their friends and family as the best gift they could get for holidays.  It's a fact that most Americans are feeling more time-constrained than ever. With waking hours largely consumed by work, precious minutes remain for the daily list of to-dos, including exercise, housework, and keeping up with social media. For most, time has become an even more valuable resource than money. Indeed, twice as many Americans would prefer two weeks of vacation over two weeks of extra pay. People’s sense that time is scarce decreases their willingness to give time to others — be it individuals or worthy organizations. So, when somebody is willing to donate his/her time, that is considered as the best and lasting gift by all segments of respondents.

2) PERSONAL GROWTH

26% of respondents wanted gifts that will help them grow professionally and personally. It is a broad area and covers activities that improve awareness and identity, develop talents and potential, build human capital and facilitate employability, enhance the quality of life and contribute to the realization of dreams and aspirations. 

Wall Street Journal reports that 70% of people are living paycheck to paycheck and financial stress is at its highest. It is no surprise that learning more about finances and having a financial coach is highly desirable. If you would like to know about how to provide a gift of financial coaching to your loved ones, please contact Mayanah Financial Coaching at www.facebook.com/TheMayanah.

The list was followed by Gift Cards (10%), electronic gadgets (8%), toys (7%) and household goods (5%). With research so conclusive about what people need, will you provide what they need - Time and Personal Growth or will you end up giving more "stuff" that they don't need. 

3 Regrets starting Black Friday. Do you feel this?

REGRETS! 

We all feel it -  in one way or the other, of having gone with the flow. This happens in career, marriage, social life, and practically all walks of life. However, the number of Americans feeling regret after Black Friday and Cyber Monday increases year after year.

Believe it or not, Black Friday is an American tradition. After the Thanksgiving meal, people run to the stores to fight for DEALS - forgetting that they were thankful or supposed to be grateful a few hours earlier. Retailers have marketed the Black Friday event so that people actually forget what they want to buy and instead spend dollars on what they feel like buying. Cyber Monday is a new practice where we continue to spend money on DEALS the Monday following Thanksgiving. The real problem with these DEALS is that they are not something we need but bought just because their prices are low. In essence, Americans are buying things that they do not need.

Wall Street Journal reports that 70% of people live paycheck to paycheck, and 40% of people will either add on to their existing debt or add new debt from Black Friday until the end of the holiday season. This indicates that Americans buy what they do not need with money that they do not have.  

Here are 3 regrets Americans will have after the holiday shopping season starting on Black Friday:

1) Regret of working extra to pay off debt.

            Since 60% of Americans have added to their debt load, they are forced to spend more hours at work or take up second and third jobs during evenings and weekends. This will have a catastrophic effect on their health, and their happiness level drops significantly. This is in addition to the lack of productivity due to overwork. The truth is that they will start hating the "stuff" they have bought. Research shows that their self-esteem also drops due to constant work.

2) Regret of not being able to spend time with family

          When people are forced to work long hours, they are deprived of spending quality time with their spouses and children. It is proven that marriages collapse due to this reason, and children's lives are destroyed because of a lack of parental attention. This is a personal and social problem as the next generation of Americans are growing up without adequate parental guidance.

3) Regret of not attaining their goals

           When we are spending all that we earn to pay back our debts, we cannot think or save for our goals and dreams. It may be traveling around the world or taking classes in our areas of interest. It could also be being unable to invest in our retirement funds. It is no surprise that the average person retiring today in America has less than $25,000 in retirement. The thought of not being able to attain the goals and dreams demotivates them and adds to the remorse regarding their purchases.

To avoid these regrets, you must make a plan and stick to it. It is no secret that an accountability partner and a guide can help you in this regard. Have you ever thought about meeting with a financial coach? If so, we recommend Dave Ramsey's Financial Coaches. They do not sell any products and so work as a coach for you. If you would like to know more, please visit us at Mayanah Financial Coaching. Take action now, to avoid regret later !!