CHRISTMAS ON A BUDGET: MONEY SAVING TIPS
Christmas is the most expensive time of the year, with presents to buy and the big Christmas food shop to worry about, we can sometimes worry about how we are going to finance the festive period. Despite what you may think, you don’t need to scrap the holidays altogether to save on pennies – there are little steps you can take to minimise the cost of Christmas.
From yearly saving tips to last minute quick fixes, this Christmas on a Budget Guide includes all of the best-kept secrets of getting through the holidays stress free and without spending a fortune.
Plan Wisely
The key to a successful and cheaper Christmas is planning. Many tend to neglect planning and dive right into the purchases. We can get very carried away with planning the perfect Christmas for our family, without considering budget and finances which can be disastrous.
Ahead of the festivities, set out a budget plan and consider what you can afford this year – be realistic about your plans and set aside money each month to save towards building a budget for Christmas.
Shop Around
Chances are, you’ll have a good idea of what to give your loved ones as a present. Many people have traditions to buy the same branded fragrance every year, or others have received requests by their family and friends to what they may want this year.
If you are shopping for any present, particularly branded products, be sure to shop around for the best deals. If you walk into the first store you see and buy the product right away, you may be missing out on a chance to save some money. There are plenty of budget discount stores which sell big branded products with huge savings off the RRP, be sure to check them out for the best deals before buying – you’ll be surprised how much money you save on your present shop!
Hit the Outlets
It is a known fact around Christmas time that outlet villages and stores are jam-packed full of Christmas shoppers looking for a bargain. It is in these stores that you can find end of line deals and cheap branded products, which make for the perfect Christmas gift!
Keep Santa Secret
Secret Santa doesn’t just have to be for offices. If you are in a large group of friends, you can usually find yourself spending an awful lot of money and time on buying a present for each of them. Why not opt for Secret Santa this year to minimise the amount of presents you need to buy to one? Secret Santa is great fun and chances are, everyone will be on board if it means saving money and still receiving a gift! You will also have much more time to think about the gift to make it more personal and special to the recipient.
Shop the Sales
Christmas may be the most expensive time of the year, but it is also the best time of the year for sales! With Black Friday, Cyber Monday and lots of Christmas Deals in between – there’s no better time to grab a bargain.
Be sure to sign up to as many newsletters as possible to be the first to hear about upcoming sales, deals and exclusive discounts – every retailer has a newsletter so you should definitely show interest if you are serious about saving the pennies.
Finally, just don’t stress it too much. We all want to give our family the best possible Christmas, but always be realistic about what you can afford and remember the real values of Christmas is simply spending time together. The company of loved ones is priceless!