Happy Holidays on a Budget
Published: Nov 8, 2006
It's that time of year again, the nights are getting colder, the days are getting shorter and before you know it the holiday season will be upon us. Here's a few tips for surviving the holiday crunch without maxing out your credit cards.
- Be Creative! A little creativity goes a long way. Think of ways to you give really nice gifts without spending a fortune. After all, it's the thought that counts. Isn't it?
- Be Crafty! Why buy it if you can make it? Get out your glue gun and make holiday decorations or your sewing machine or use your computer printer to print out holiday cards and save yourself a bundle.
- Plan Ahead! My aunt used to begin buying christmas presents for the next year starting in January! She would buy gifts when they were on sale and stash them away in a closet until holiday season.
- Be a Secret Santa. If you have many family members and relatives to buy for and your bank account just doesn't allow for that, get everyone together and have a secret santa. Put everyone's name in a hat, and who's name you pick out of the hat, you buy for, (it's a secret) and no one else.
- Cut corners. Will your host or hostess know the difference between a thirty dollar bottle of wine and a fifteen dollar one? And even if they do, will it make or break the evening?
- Set Limits. Have a set amount that you are willing to spend on each individual and stick to it! No matter how great the last minute sales are, don't go over-budget.
- No Credit Cards! I have a holiday shopping rule that if I can't pay for the purchase in cash, then I can't afford it. No credit cards allowed!
- Be Practical. Will it matter if you gave out the best gifts in your family or at your office party if you can't pay the bills come January and February?
- Know Thyself. Know your own weaknesses weither they be impulse purchases or Sale! up to 70% off signs. Know what triggers you to buy and take control of it.