Holiday Spending Prep Starts Now: Planning Ahead for a Debt-Free Season

Join our weekly #CreditChat, launched in 2012 to help consumers build their knowledge of credit and personal finance. Each week, we explore important financial topics, including saving money, managing debt, building and maintaining healthy credit, budgeting, and improving overall financial well-being. Hosted by @Experian on X (formerly Twitter), #CreditChat is open to everyone. Have a question? Feel free to send us a DM.

This week’s #CreditChat is focused on planning ahead for holiday spending and preparing your finances before the busy holiday shopping season begins.

From gifts and travel to celebrations and unexpected expenses, holiday costs can add up quickly. Creating a holiday budget, setting money aside early, and making a holiday shopping plan can help you manage seasonal expenses while reducing the risk of taking on unwanted debt.

During this discussion, we’ll share practical holiday budgeting and saving tips, explore ways to prepare for Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping, and discuss what to consider before using credit cards or other forms of credit for holiday purchases. Join us to learn how thoughtful planning can help you enjoy the season while keeping your finances on track during (and after) the holidays.

Topic: Holiday Spending PrepStarts Now: Planning Ahead for a Debt-Free Season

When: Wednesday, September 23, 2026

Where: Join the live hashtag discussion

The panel will include: Jeanne Kelly: Credit expert, identity theft expert, speaker and founder of JeanneKelly.net; Nika Booth: Award-winning debt expert and founder of DebtFreeGonnaBe.com; Felicity Watts: Author at American Consumer Credit Counseling; Kembala Evans: Financial Coach, author, speaker and founder of Kembala.com; Leslie H. Tayne, Esq: Founder and Managing Director of Tayne Law Group, P.C. (f/k/a The Law Offices of Leslie H. Tayne, P.C.); Ilyce Glink: Real Estate and Financial Wellness expert, author, speaker, entrepreneur and founder of ThinkGlink.com; Anthony Weaver: Founder of AboutThatWallet.com; Lynnette Khalfani-Cox: The Money Coach®, is a personal finance expert, speaker, and author of 15 money-management books; Michael Reynolds, CFP®: Principal at Elevation Financial LLC; Jennifer White: Consumer Education and Advocacy Team, and Christina Roman: Sr. Consumer Education and Advocacy Manager at Experian.

Questions we will discuss:

1. When should people start planning for holiday spending, and what should they consider when getting started?

2. What expenses should people consider when creating a holiday budget?

3. How can someone determine how much they can realistically afford to spend during the holiday season?

4. What are some ways people can financially prepare for holiday expenses ahead of time?

5. How can a holiday shopping list factor into planning and managing holiday spending?

6. What should consumers consider when shopping during holiday sales and promotions, such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday?

7. What should consumers consider when deciding whether to use credit cards or other forms of credit for holiday purchases?

8. How can people plan for unexpected expenses that may come up during the holiday season?

9. How can people approach spending on gifts, celebrations, and holiday traditions when deciding what they can afford?

10. What financial steps can people take before the holiday season to prepare for holiday spending and their finances after the holidays?

Want to join more conversations about credit, budgeting, saving, debt management and personal finance? Explore our complete list of upcoming personal finance Twitter chats here.