From Fortune:



Many individuals like Nicole Plauché and Marisa Johnson are feeling the pressure of paying off student loans and affording gifts during the holiday season. With the Biden administration ending the payment pause for student loans, individuals like Plauché and Johnson are finding it difficult to spend as much on gifts. Plauché, a tech sales manager in Dallas, and Johnson, a non-profit worker in California, both share their struggles with affording gifts for their families as a result of their student loan payments. They feel the pressure to give gifts as a way to show love, but financial constraints are making it difficult. Suggestions for managing this pressure include budgeting, communicating with loved ones about financial struggles, and considering alternative gift options such as experiences, handmade gifts, or writing heartfelt notes. Additionally, using credit responsibly and setting limits on spending can help alleviate financial stress during the holiday season. Overall, many individuals are finding it challenging to balance student loan repayments with holiday gift-giving, but there are practical strategies for managing these financial pressures.



Original: Student debt and Christmas gifts: 26-year-old with $145,000 in loans won’t be a ‘good gift giver’