Unfortunately, as they were about to make the first payment, the husband was laid off and they no longer had the income to support their budget.  Some months later, I heard back from his wife and I explained that it was unlikely that I could still put them on a payment plan until the husband regained employment.  Still, I encouraged them to meet with me again so we could evaluate their options and make the best out of a difficult situation.

During our second meeting, we determined that selling their car was a distinct possibility.  They had more than enough equity to pay off their auto loan and save a ton on the loan payments, insurance, gas, parking, etc.  In fact, with the nearly thousand a month they’d save, they would be able to afford the payment plan again even before the husband found a new job.

They warned me that their credit card debt had increased since they last saw me, the final tally almost $9000 more.  Hoping to help them see the light, I organized their bills.  Since the wife was more inclined to make spreadsheets, I asked her to analyze where their money was being spent.  The husband shook his head and shrugged his shoulders, saying that they both knew the source of the problem: they'd gone overboard on holiday shopping.

That was when a light bulb went on.

Me: Have you given any of the presents yet?

Her: No

Me: Are all the presents still sealed in their original boxes?

Her: Yes

Me: Does anyone know what they’re getting?

Her: No

Me: Then return all the presents! You’ll pay down a chunk of your credit card debt and, even if just symbolically, you’ll prove to yourself and your husband that you’re serious about keeping your spending in check.

You’re a mean one…. Mr. Grinch...  The possibility of a shopping addiction in this case was very real, so I made a referral to a leading expert in the field of compulsive spending. 

But unlike Dr. Seuss' Grinch, I wasn't really stealing their Christmas.  I experienced firsthand how presents do not equate to how one experiences the holidays.  Inspired by the charitable work of a relative/friend, my wife and I decided to reduce our spending this year (at least on the adults) so that we could donate some gifts to a great cause, and we asked for the same treatment when it came to the gifts we were to receive.  Our Christmas was every bit as special, if not more so.

When I return to the office in January, I will be calling the couple to find out if she ended up returning the gifts.  The husband was very doubtful that she would follow through on this plan.  However, I, for one, am hoping for a Christmas miracle.*

 *I could have really cheesed it up and said “another Miracle on 34^th St” since we'd originally met at our 34th street location.  But, alas, I've since switched offices so our second meeting took place at a different location.

                                                                                                                        -- Chris Dlugozima

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