Saving Tips for the Holiday Season – The blog will talk about how to keep your expenses in check and share tips including making a budget, follow the list of things to buy, checking for discounts and offers.
Saving Tips for the Holiday Season
As the holiday season approaches, the air is filled with an electric sense of excitement; and why not? It’s a time for sharing, caring and having a great time with friends and family. However, this sense of excitement comes with a hidden, almost always overlooked, threat of overspending. Gifts for loved ones, shopping offers all around town, parties, and vacations can really shake up your budget. Now, don’t get us wrong, we’re not here to dampen your holiday spirit. All we’re saying is that no spending is worth it if it results in post-holiday debt and financial woes in the near future.
With a little bit of planning and creativity, you can have a fabulous holiday season that’s not too heavy on your pocket. Here are some jolly-good money saving ideas for the holidays.
Make a Budget
Sounds cliché? We know but making a budget for the holiday season can make all the difference. There are different ways to establish a budget. You can either set an overall spending limit for the season or allocate different budgets for different tasks at hand such as gifting, shopping, traveling, etc. Make sure that your budget is realistic and there is a little wiggle room for unexpected costs. After all, holidays can be unpredictable. The biggest challenge – follow the budget and track your spending.
Keep an Eye on Indulgence
Now there are things you need and desire, and things you really don’t. The excitement around the holiday season may end up manifesting in a carefree ‘the heart wants what the heart wants’ frame of mind. From the extra whipped cream on your latte to the new pair of shoes that you know is beyond your budget, we all indulge in certain extras that we can totally do without. Be careful of these unneeded expenses and you’d be surprised by how much money you’ll save over the holiday season.
Make a Shopping List
There are deals everywhere! Stuff you’ve always wanted to buy, now seem within your pocket’s reach. What do you do? Splurge? No! You take a step back, a deep breath and evaluate the situation. Ask yourself, do I really need it? While discounts are a great way to buy things that you need, the collective spending can tip your budget completely off balance. Make a shopping list and don’t sway to far from it.
Gift Responsibly
Gifts are a major cost during the holiday season. But an expensive gift is not a testament to your affection towards someone. Get creative and redefine your gifting practices. Handmade gifts are a great way to express your love for friends and family. Cookies, cakes, and other baked goods are great gifting options. If you’re good at crafts, you can make ornaments, pottery, and pieces of art that have a longer shelf-life.
It is really easy to go over your spending limit during the holiday season, with businesses running marketing campaigns to get your attention with the hope of getting a piece of your pie. But, if you decide to stay strong and follow these simple ways to save money, you can have a fun and exciting season, without having to deal with the post-holiday financial hangover.
