Tips on how to avoid creeping expenses and a holiday hangover in January

TORONTO, Dec. 16, 2016 /CNW/ - Canadians plan to spend an average of nearly $600 on this year's holiday shopping, 8 per cent less than last year, yet more than half (51 per cent) expect to go over budget in the exuberance of the festive season, a new CIBC (TSX: CM) (NYSE: CM) poll finds.

"The danger comes from what's not wrapped – the entertaining, travelling, or even tempting Boxing Day sales and New Year's festivities," says David Nicholson, Vice-President, CIBC Imperial Service. "If we're not careful, these unplanned expenses can derail even the most mindful budgeters and lead to tighter finances, stress and even regret when the bills come due."

Key poll findings include:

• $597 is the average amount Canadians say they will spend on holiday shopping, compared to $652 last year
  • Albertans will spend 6 per cent more this season at $688, while Ontarians and Quebecers cut their holiday shopping budgets by 12 per cent and 10 per cent, respectively.
  • Despite trimming their shopping budgets by 7 per cent, those in Atlantic Canada are still the country's top gift-buyers, spending $803.
  • Millennials are reducing their holiday spend by 14 per cent to about $400 on average.
• 51 per cent expect to go over budget and carry some holiday debt, with many (13 per cent) anticipating that they will feel 'a little guilty' or the 'pain' of overspending when their bill comes due in January.
• 57 per cent pay off their credit card balances in full and 13 per cent say they don't use a credit card, while nearly a third (29 per cent) carry their debt forward.

Millennials more apt to overspend

Millennials are more apt to buy on credit than those aged 35+ (60 per cent vs. 52 per cent)  and one in five (20 per cent) expect their shopping to result in them feeling 'a little guilt' or 'pain' when their card bills come due. They also tend to carry card debt longer, with nearly half (48 per cent) carrying credit card debt forward for more than a year, including 18 per cent who say they can't remember the last time their balance was zero.

The poll findings also show that nearly two-thirds of Generation X-ers (35-54 years) with card debt either carry balances forward one year or more or can't recall the last time they had a zero balance.

"While most Canadians use their credit card responsibly, it's very easy to get swept up by the holiday spirit and carried away with spending," says Mr. Nicholson. "The best way to stay cheerful is to spend within your means."

The poll also shows that the likelihood to overspend over the holidays is true for all Canadians regardless of age or income. In fact, more than half (52 per cent) with higher incomes break their budget, adds Mr. Nicholson.

"Feeling the pressure of the holiday season is something we all share," says Mr. Nicholson. "At this time of year, it's really important to talk to your family and friends about gift-buying expectations and entertaining costs. The holidays hold a lot of emotion and tradition, so the more you can manage expectations, the less stress you'll have and the easier it will be on your budget."

Tips to avoid financial pain after the holidays:

1.	Reboot expectations – While every family and tradition is different, talk to your family and friends about setting spending limits or be creative and consider making new traditions as alternatives to expensive outings and gift buying.
2.	Track your spending and check it twice – Be aware of what you're spending in stores and online, include everything from gifts, party clothes, tips, entertaining and travel costs. Use tracking tools, such as CIBC CreditSmart, to help you avoid creeping expenses.
3.	Go Prepaid - set a hard limit with a reloadable prepaid card. CIBC Smart™ Prepaid Visa* Card can help you stick to your budget by pre-setting your day-to-day discretionary spending.
4.	Entertain at home – Avoid hefty restaurant bills by entertaining family and friends at home. Consider sharing costs of food and drink with 'BYO' meals or potluck for additional cost savings.
5.	Be smart about credit – If paying by credit card, choose the one that works best for you. While paying on credit offers considerable consumer benefits and rewards, stay on top of your money and avoid late fees with alerts sent to your phone or email. This will help you reap rewards benefits and avoid the pain of carrying balances forward and incurring interest.
6.	Seek advice – If you get to January fearing the bill of your holiday spend, don't worry: You're not alone. Talk to an advisor to help you create a budget to manage your cash flow, and set you on the right track for 2017 so that you only take on debt that can be comfortably managed and paid off.

 

KEY POLL FINDINGS:

Average amount Canadians say they plan to spend on holiday shopping this year, by region:

	2016	2015
All Canadians	$597	$652
British Columbia	$529	$557
Alberta	$688	$649
Manitoba/Saskatchewan	$647	$709
Ontario	$670	$759
Quebec	$406	$450
Atlantic Canada	$803	$867

 

Average amount Canadians say they plan to spend on holiday shopping this year, by age:

	2016	2015
18-34 years	$399	$464
35-54 years	$670	$706
55 years and older	$693	$758

 

How Canadians expect to feel in January, once the holiday season is over:	2016
Cheerful - I stuck to my budget and paid my expenses in full	46%
Comfortable - I went a little over budget, but I can cut some expenses to pay off the debt within a month or two	38%
A little guilty - I didn't really stick to a budget and expect to take some time to get back to black after the holidays	10%
Painful - Yikes! I got carried away in the holiday cheer and I'm afraid to see what my bill looks like	3%
Indifferent – I don't really keep track of my holiday spending; debt is a part of life for me.	3%

 

How Canadians typically pay their credit card balances:

The complete balance	57%
More than the minimum payment, but I carry a balance forward to the next month	23%
The minimum payment, I carry a balance forward to the next month	4%
I pay as much as I can, when I can	2%
I don't know	1%
Not applicable	13%

 

Of those carrying card debt, how long Canadians carry a balance on their card:

1-3 months	20%
4-6 months	13%
7 months to a year	12%
1 year or more	33%
I don't remember the last time my balance was zero	22%

 

2016 Holiday Spending Poll Disclaimer:

From December 2nd to December 4th 2016 an online survey was conducted among 1,516 randomly selected Canadian adults who are Angus Reid Forum panelists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 2.5%, 19 times out of 20. The results have been statistically weighted according to education, age, gender and region (and in Quebec, language) Census data to ensure a sample representative of the entire adult population of Canada. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

About CIBC

CIBC is a leading Canadian-based global financial institution with 11 million personal banking and business clients. Through our three major business units - Retail and Business Banking, Wealth Management and Capital Markets - CIBC offers a full range of products and services through its comprehensive electronic banking network, branches and offices across Canada with offices in the United States and around the world. Ongoing news releases and more information about CIBC can be found at www.cibc.com/ca/media-centre/ or by following on Twitter @CIBC, Facebook (www.facebook.com/CIBC) and Instagram @CIBCNow.

SOURCE Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce