Dear bank account balance,

As much as I want this to be a hello letter, now that we’ve entered the holiday season, I have to say goodbye. Goodbye to $6 coffee drinks and late-night In-and-Out runs. I’m giving you away to sweatshirts, wrapping paper, a plane ticket home and gifts for everyone I love.

It always hurts to see you leave. To see your value fall and you disappear, especially now that the weather is turning colder and the holidays are just out of reach. It feels like now I need you most. Maybe it’s my fault you are low to the point of concern; I committed to others and tried to show it, and you paid the price.

But still, window shopping on Telegraph and late-night Chipotle dinners just are not the same without you.

Mostly because it’s simply financially impossible, but it just isn’t the same without you. It’s like we’re breaking up, and you’re the ex who stays on my mind.

It was rough seeing you dwindle throughout the past few weeks. Every time I hit the “confirm purchase” button at checkout, I felt a pang in my heart, just as big as the one in my wallet. My only lifeline came every two weeks in the form of a direct deposit, but even that was barely enough to set you afloat.

But now, as break begins and last-minute Christmas shopping occurs, I have to say goodbye for good. Because I have more gifts to give, and even less money to get in return. My dearest friend, I hope you know that you’re going to make a lot of people happy as the Christmas spirit drains your balance.

So this is goodbye, and I will miss you dearly. Especially how you stocked my pantry and supported my coffee runs. However, hopefully I will see you again in the new year.

Thank you for the fun memories.