Montana Feels The Holiday Squeeze As Prices Keep Climbing

With Thanksgiving behind us now and Santa on his way in just a short amount of time, we are officially deep in the holiday season. One of the first things that comes to mind this time of year is shopping. No matter where you stand financially, it can be stressful. For a lot of Americans, and many right here in Montana, this season feels especially tight. The economy is in a strange place. Prices keep climbing, inflation is hitting every corner of daily life, and Montana has not been spared.

A new report from WalletHub paints a pretty clear picture of how people are feeling heading into December. Nearly two in three Americans say the economy is going to make the holidays less enjoyable this year. That is a tough reality when this season is supposed to be about joy, rest and time with family.

Budgets are shrinking too. According to the study, 85 percent of people plan to spend the same or less than they did last year. For many households, “less” is the only option. Some shoppers are even turning to credit to fill the gap, with 33 percent planning to apply for a new credit card just to cover holiday purchases.

There is one bright spot in the findings. More than four in five people say that budgeting ahead of time helps reduce stress during the holidays. And maybe the most interesting piece of all is that 61 percent of Americans say they would actually enjoy the holidays more if gifts were not exchanged.

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It is a reminder that most people are craving connection over presents this year. In a time when everything feels more expensive, maybe the real gift is slowing down, being present and keeping the season simple.