The Twelve Steps of Christmas

1. Admit that you are powerless over Black Friday - that your shopping has become unmanageable.

2. Acknowledge that a power greater than you can restore your budget.

3. Make a decision to turn your life over to the care of a financial planner.

4. Make an inventory of your closets.

5. Admit to yourself and others the extent of your shopping.

6. Be ready to have your financial planner remove your credit cards.

7. Ask them to cut the cards up.

8. Make a list of all the closets you have over-stuffed and be willing to clean them out.

9. Make direct returns of everything that still has tags on it.

10. Take inventory of what you have left, and what's not needed, donate it.

11. Through consultation improve your understanding of your financial planner's guidance.

12. Carry the message of frugality to other shopaholics.



Refinements welcome.