Thursday, November 20, 2014

Trim Your Holiday Budget

Make a list – and check it twice: Santa does it. You should, too. Compose a shopping list for your family and friends. If you are on a tight budget, pre-determine how much you can spend for each person on your list.

Hunt for coupons: There are lots of online coupon sites – Groupon, Couponcabin.com and Retailmenot.com are just a few possibilities. Of course, there are lots of Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, as well.


Avoid impulse shopping: You have your list. Stick to it. You probably do not need the complete set of lighted reindeer and elves for your front lawn.

Pre-paid cards can help you stick to your budget. Simply add whatever you can afford to the card, and use the pre-paid card for your holiday shopping.

Do not wait for the holiday season to do your holiday shopping. Keep your eyes peeled throughout the year for great deals. You may even be able to finish your shopping long before the shopping insanity even begins.

Like to go crazy with lights? If so, the electric bill may soar. Consider LED lights, which use 99 percent less energy than traditional lights.

Speaking of decorations Purchase your knickknacks after the holiday. Most stores have clearance sales and you can find some great deals.

Choose plastic wisely: If you plan to use a credit card for holiday gifts and other expenses, do a little research into the best card for your needs. Financial institutions often offer credit card promotions to help with holiday shopping.

Delegate your dinner menu: Are guests visiting for the holidays? Planning to whip up a big holiday meal? Delegate various menu items to your guests to save on your food bill.

Do you have a creative flare? If so, you may consider some clever, hand-made items for those on your gift list. Oftentimes, a thoughtful hand-made gift is cherished more than expensive presents.

Draw names: It has become popular to draw names among family members in order to limit the number of gifts you may need to purchase.

Hit the garage sales: You may be able to find some terrific gift items at garage sales.

Save on postage: Anyone in your family have a flare for technology? You may consider creating a holiday web page with family photos and a holiday greeting. Then send a link via social media or email. This could potentially replace your holiday cards and save a bundle on postage and cards.

Spend a few moments researching cost savings items online. You will find a bunch of ideas that may save you a ton of money.
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