It’s an expensive time of year. Rather than throwing caution to the wind and blowing your budget, now is the time to make a spending plan and stick to it. Here are a few things you could do to help curb your spending during the holidays.
Budget
Don’t wait any longer and decide on your budget now. Make a plan and stick to it! If you planned on spending $50 on each of your loved ones then spend $50. Not $51. Don’t decide last minute to purchase an item you see on sale after already spending your budget. Stick with your plan and you won’t go wrong.
Do your research
When searching for the perfect gift, shop around. Compare prices and use price match offers in the stores to your advantage. Search for deals online, but remember it’s always better to spend your hard earned cash locally, putting it back into the economy and supporting local businesses. If you find a deal online ask whether the local store will match it. Also keep an eye out for money saving coupons. It might be worth subscribing to daily emails from your favorite stores as these generally highlight sales and deals – sometimes lasting just 24 hours at a time. Make a list of any stores that are set to close in the coming weeks or months; they will surely have some great deals.
Be creative
The value of a gift isn’t only about what it costs. If there is something you really want to buy at $25, go for it. If you want to give more, why not make something? If you’re not good at baking, but you know your recipient will appreciate a batch of cookies why not purchase a large mason jar, which you can find at most craft stores at a reasonable price, fill it in layers with the ingredients needed such as flour, sugar, chocolate chips for example, and add a cute handwritten note explaining the gift and how to make the cookies.
In the family
For extended families, draw names from a hat and set a budget. This way you only have to purchase a gift for one member of the family instead of 10 to 20. It’s also a good idea to set a dollar limit.
If you’re interested in setting up a Christmas Club savings account for next year’s holidays, speak with one of our friendly staff at any of our branches in New Berlin, Springfield, Modesto, and Palmyra.