It doesn’t matter what holidays you celebrate during the latter half of the year; chances are, you’re spending a lot more on anything from food to gifts. We’re here to save you from the pain of a massive credit card statement come January. Here are seven tips for making the holidays less expensive this year.
Make a List and Stick To It
You probably want to shower your friends and family with lavish gifts. That’s nice! If you can afford it. But if you’re trying to be more pragmatic, that starts with being more organized. Set yourself a budget for spending money on gifts and make a list of everyone you plan to buy for. This will help you save money and prevent last-minute panic purchases.
Go DIY
It’s not for everyone, but if you’re crafty or love to make things in the kitchen, you’d probably be surprised by how much people would love a homemade gift from you. It’s a myth that everyone wants something extravagant or expensive; many people cherish gifts that feel authentic to them and to the person they’re receiving the gift from. So don’t hesitate to save yourself an unnecessary expense if you know a loved one would appreciate something specially made by you.
Pay Attention to Sales and Discounts
While Black Friday and Cyber Monday are two days where sales can sometimes be jaw-droppingly good, it’s not the only chance you’ll have to score some savings. Most stores have special savings throughout the entire holiday season, as well as right after to help them move inventory that didn’t perform as expected. Just remember to stick to your budget and avoid impulse purchases. If you didn’t need to purchase it, it doesn’t suddenly become a deal just because it’s on sale.
Host Potlucks
Instead of forcing yourself to buy all of the food and drinks for a party, why not try a potluck instead? It’s an effective money-saving strategy that doubles as a way to give your guests a way to contribute to the party. You might be the kind of person who likes to have total control over the meal, and that’s okay; you can still reap the money-saving benefits by asking your friends to bring a bottle of wine or a dessert while you have free rein in the kitchen!
Be Smart About Booking Travel
Traveling is an inevitable part of this season. But if you absolutely have to travel to visit family, book things well in advance to get the best possible rates. Look for deals on flights and accommodations, just like you would any other time you travel. And if you can cut the expenses down further by paring down your travel plans with carpooling or public transportation, even better.
Create New Traditions
Who said that gift-giving had to be the only way to celebrate a holiday? There are plenty of ways to shower your friends and family with holiday cheer that don’t have anything to do with spending money. Maybe you start a tradition where you spend the night watching movies instead of going out. Or maybe you want to do gift trades, like White Elephant, instead of having everyone buy something new. Whatever you decide, just know that you don’t have to spend an exorbitant amount of money to share in the experience with your loved ones.
Read More:
- 30 Ways To Get Free Stuff (That Aren’t Scams)
- 12 Best Coupon Apps of 2024
- 13 Ways To Earn Money From Paid Surveys [At Home, Online & More]
