One of the things that people tend to worry the most about during the holiday season is how they are going to be able to afford everything. It can get pretty expensive to show others how much you care about them, and the season seems to get more and more commercial and expensive each year. Obviously, the first thing you need to do is set a budget, and do your best to stick to it. This isn’t always easy to do, but maybe these tips will help.
1.Make a List and Check it Twice
Before you start your holiday shopping, make a list of everyone you need to buy gifts for. Write down gift ideas for each person, and make sure that the gifts fall into a price range that you can afford. If you have a list ready when you hit the stores, it will be easier to avoid going overboard and spending way too much money.
2.Track Your Spending
It is important that you keep an eye on what you are spending at any time of the year, but even more so during the holidays. It is all too easy to pick up those perfect gifts on a whim, and then all of the sudden you are out of money and don’t know where it all went. Each time you buy a gift, decoration, food, or anything else to do with the holidays, make note of it. This is going to help you stick to your budget if you can see how much you are actually spending needlessly.
3.Forget the Extras
Just like those whim gifts, it can be really easy to spend a lot of money on those little extras that you don’t really need. For instance, your life won’t come to an end if you don’t get that pumpkin spice latte every day (and you will save over $150 in a month alone). The money you save by avoiding impulse purchases can be put towards gifts, a night out, or whatever else you want to use it for.
4.Save Money on Tech Gifts
If someone on your gift list wants a new iPad, iPhone, etc., don’t worry about not being able to afford it. Not only are there great sites where you can get refurbished gadgets, you can also sell iPhone and other old gadgets to these sites and make money to put toward the new ones. It is a win-win situation, because not only do you get rid of your gadgets and make money, someone else gets to benefit by getting a great deal.
5.Make New Traditions
Do you have a lot of expensive traditions, such as going to the movies on Christmas Eve, going out to dinner, seeing a concert, etc.? If so, you can save a lot of money by starting new traditions that don’t cost anything. If you want to see a show, there are always plenty of free holiday concerts going on. You can go sledding, watch a movie at home with hot chocolate and snacks, make holiday crafts with the kids, go caroling, etc.
6.Get Creative
Don’t let anyone try and tell you that home-made gifts are cheap and tacky. Not only are you spending a good amount of money on crafting supplies, you are also putting a lot of thought and time into every gift you give. Home-made gifts come from the heart, and even though you have to spend money on the supplies, it is still less expensive than buying expensive presents that are cold, sterile, and not nearly as heartfelt.
