It’s that time of year again. As much as we love “the most wonderful time of the year” it’s also known as the most stressful time of year. No doubt, the holidays are expensive and can raise your stress level to the tenth degree especially when you’re on a tight budget.
To keep your gift buying on budget, here are 4 simple tips to follow.
Tip #1. Have a Budget- Plan your holiday budget before heading to the malls or shopping online. Gifts, small or large, can really add up and before you know it, you’re left with a huge bill at the end of the holiday season. So be honest with yourself and know how much you can spend this year. If you need a bit more spending money, look at your existing budget. How much do you spend a month? Maybe cut back on restaurant dining or cable TV bills temporarily to cover presents for loved ones. Bargain-hunting can also help stretch your money a bit further.
Tip #2. Lists Are Your Friend- Having a list can help you stay on track. Write down everyone you need to buy gifts for this year and put a dollar amount next to each name. Also, make lists of everything you need to spend this holiday season like gifts, parties, and travel. Lists can also help you see if you need to cut back in one area to make room from another.
Tip #3. Reduce Your Stress- Plan your holiday shopping ahead of time as much as possible and maintain your daily routines to reduce your stress level. As we get closer to Christmas, gift shopping can be a headache, but you still have plenty of time to avoid last minute buys if you start planning now.
Tip #4. Find Ways to Save- Once you’ve got the budget covered, now you can focus on ways to save in stores or online:
- Look for retailers with discounts and special saving days
- Use coupons or coupon codes for in-store or online.
- When shopping online, look for retailers that offer free shipping.
