Emily's list: December blues

I'll say a word and you say what comes to mind. Ready?

Here's the word: December.

If you're like a lot of people, "December" goes with debt, stress and weight gain. But wait -- aren't the holidays supposed to be about love, togetherness and giving? It seems like every year, the real message gets lost in the frenzy of consumerism and overspending.

As Enemy of Debt points out below, it is silly to go into major debt just to buy your family and friends piles of over-the-top, expensive gifts. Guess what: If you scale back and spend within your budget, they will love you just the same.

And as The Simple Dollar says below, too, emotions can significantly influence our spending, and if you are stressed, depressed, feeling inadequate or wanting to impress, your finances can take a major hit during the holidays. If you're feeling tempted to blow your budget, clear your head. Go on a long walk. Play a board game with your family. Visit an old friend. Remember what the holidays are really about.

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Kwanzaa or Hanukkah, I hope you are able to enjoy the true spirit of the holiday season this year.

Below you can find those two posts I mentioned above, plus several other fantastic personal finance blog posts from the past week, some of which are about holiday spending. Here's to a happy and debt-free holiday!

1. One Money Design discusses whether it is ever a good idea to consolidate loans and explains why it can be dangerous to do so.

2. Being Frugal makes the point that it isn't enough to tell young people that they need a credit card to establish credit -- they need to know how to use it wisely, too.

3. FIRE Finance discusses the unbanked population in America. These are people who do not have a bank account and usually rely on cash or prepaid debit cards.

4. Uncommon Cents reminds readers that the closer you come to a deadline, the more critical -- and expensive -- things will be. This is very appropriate for last-minute holiday shopping!

5. This was posted last week, but it was too good to leave out. Prudent Money offers a three-step guide for how to resolve buying mistakes for holiday gifts with retailers, such as receiving the wrong item, being overcharged or mistakenly incurring a late charge on a credit card bill.

6. The Sun's Financial Diary discusses a new piece of information that now comes with your FICO score report: recent credit card use can actually boost your score.

7. Credit Card Chaser explains what usury laws are, lays out the pros and cons and even reveals what the Bible says about the controversial practice.

8. The Simple Dollar explains how psychology and emotions can greatly influence our spending choices, especially around the holidays.

9. We are still in uncertain times. Budget Pulse offers a list of financial preparations you should make if you think you may be laid off soon, which includes paying down debt and creating a budget.

10. Enemy of Debt thinks it's silly that so many of us go into debt for holiday gifts, and explains why buying lots of brand new gifts for our loved ones can cause undue stress and unnecessary debt.