Christmas Is Not An Emergency!


by Reginald Duval - Date: 2007-02-14 - Word Count: 333 Share This!

For years I have waited to use those words. Let me say it again: Christmas is not an emergency! I used to work in the Loan Guaranty Division of the Department of Veterans Affairs. One of my responsibilities was to advise veteran-borrowers whose home loans were in defaults, meaning they were at least 3 payments behind. In the course of the year, we received 200 notices of default from the private mortgage loan servicers. In the month of March, the work would triple. Why? Because people would delay paying the December payment so their kids can have a "wonderful" Christmas. They believe deep in their heart, in January, they will be able to make 2 payments and everything will be fine.

In fact some don't pay any bills at all in December. They spend the money to buy useless expensive gifts to impress friends and family. If you wonder, I will just tell: yes I am bias. I am totally against the practice of going broke to preserve the tradition of giving during Christmas time. One year, in March, one of my clients learned of my bias and called me a scrooge and an atheist. I called the lady after receiving a notice of default. I ask her to share with me the reason of the default. She mumbled a few words and finally said: "with the extra expenses of Christmas and all…" This was the first time I used the words: "Christmas is not an emergency; it comes around every year on December the 25th".

She cried and hangs up the phone. She called me back later to discuss possible solutions. I offered to help her on a condition she opens a Christmas account at a local bank. Next Christmas, she is only to spend money in that account and no more. I guess by now you know where I stand: delaying mortgage payment because of Christmas is a bad idea. Opening a Christmas account is good one. Remember Christmas is not an emergency…


Related Tags: credit, foreclosure, morgage, financial coach

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