Christmas is here again!

Happy Christmas Day! Yes, I know Christmas Day was yesterday, but better late than never, or so they say. However, we are on holidays, and although I cannot enjoy them as much as I hoped because of the exams taking place in January, I am having a good time. I know there are a lot of “Grinches” around here, hating these holidays, but fuck them! Christmas is awesome!

On one hand, I am not a religious person and I don’t like the consumerism attached to Xmas. People get crazy buying things, and I am of the opinion that the more expensive gift is not the best one. The thing about Christmas is not receiving gifts; the thing about Christmas is enjoying time with family and friends. In addition, I truly hate Xmas-themed movies; they’re horrible- except from Love Actually, I watch it every year. On the other hand, I love the holiday’s mood, the street decoration and the carols. And how could I forget the journeys? I have family spread all over Spain, so every year I travel to see them, and it is real fun because I love travelling. This year I am not seeing my family in Pamplona, but I am going to Cádiz.

Regarding to my holiday’s plans, I am very excited, because this year I am going to Granada to celebrate New Year’s Eve with my boyfriend. It is thrilling for the reason that it is going to be our first trip together and alone, I mean, without any other people. I’ve been planning that trip for months! We are visiting the Alhambra Palace, the Cathedral and the Royal Chapel, where the Catholic Kings were buried. I think I’ll post some photos and review when I’ll be there. On New Year’s Day we are taking a bus to Algeciras, where my paternal family lives.

Touching Christmas Eve, I had dinner at my maternal grandparents’ – where I am living at this moment- with my family. It was nice, because I have an uncle and cousins living in Tenerife, and I hardly see them. My little sister was excited, because my cousins are about her age. We sat in front of the fire and talked about old times, when my uncles and mother were teenagers. And then, gift time! They almost forced my boyfriend to dress up as Santa and appear with a bag full of presents. Most of them were for the girls, because we don’t like to buy gifts for everyone, Christmas is for children. I got some gifts, though.  My mother gave me a tin music box full of chocolates- it’s a pity than I’m on a diet. Nah, fuck the diet, I’ve already eat them all. I loved it, and the music that the box plays is Jingle Bells, it sounds beautiful. As for the rest, I got money- always well received, I’ve already talked about how expensive being a student is- and a Harley Quinn’s t-shirt from my boy. 

And that was all, folks! Happy Holidays!

Problem-Solution Essay: Dealing with the expensive act of living

When I was younger, my mother used to give me some pocket money to spend through the month, it was little quantity but enough for me, and I managed well. But now it has changed. I am a young adult and I have more expensive needs as long as I am a university student, so I have my own credit card, which is great but also problematic. Wasting money is incredibly easy, and administrate becomes a necessity. I need to learn to be aware of my costs in order to reduce them.

One possible solution is to return to the childhood-method, when my mother was the administrator of my money. This is good not only because there is a limited quantity of money but also because mother are (usually) wiser than we are and know how to manage with money. Although this way has some pros, I don’t like it completely due to the fact that it is childish and doesn’t help you to develop your sense of responsibility and maturity, which is quite important in adulthood.

A cool piggybank may help

A second and also valid option is to put the money limit by myself, a maximum amount of money that can be spent per week. For example, 25€, so the total quantity spent in the whole month would be 100€. Of course, this method would make you incapable of affording lots of things, and it makes it harder to know that you put the limit. Anyway, that’s the thing, or so I believe. Yes, it is hard, but it helps you to grow as an adult.

We all agree that the best method is to control what you do with you money, and putting a limit is a great idea as long as it makes you realize that the act of existing is expensive. It is important- vital, I’d say- to find mature ways to balance the incomes and costs during your college years, or you can finish ruined. 

Good evening!