5 Simple ways to stick to it
The holiday shopping season is just around the corner, and that means you’ll be spending more time (and money) shopping than you have in months prior. While it is tempting to splurge and go all out on holiday cheer, it is essential to keep your budget in mind. We have a few fun tips that will ensure you keep your holiday budget intact while still enjoying the wonder and excitement of the special season.
Make a List (and include everything)
Making a list seems like an obvious plan, but many people forget to add in the smaller items associated with holiday shopping when they are making lists and creating a budget. Wrapping paper, ribbons, bows, and gift tags might seem like small and insignificant purchases, but they add up quickly. Once you have your list, you can begin setting your budget. Remember to budget appropriately for each family member or friend.
Once you have your budget set, you can begin picking out what gifts will suit each recipient. Once you’ve set your actual list of items, you’ll need to stick to that list and only buy the items on that list. Anything additional needs to be added to the list and the budget should be altered to fit any extra purchases.
Consider Forgoing Traditional Gift Wrap
Gift wrapping is an integral part of the holiday season, but there is no reason for you to spend extra money on fancy paper that is just going to be ripped to shreds in mere seconds. Instead, consider alternative gift wrap ideas. For example, utilize newspaper or craft paper to wrap your presents. Craft paper can be purchased on the cheap from Amazon and can be easily made festive with stamps, stickers or even a strip of leftover wrapping paper.
If you happen to have fabric remnants laying around, they also make excellent gift wrap that is reusable and just as beautiful as traditional wrapping paper. Atlases and maps that you have in your home collecting dust also make excellent wrapping paper for a gift recipient who loves to travel.
Don’t Veer from Your List
You might be tempted to veer from your list and purchase something you find in the store, but experts suggest avoiding the impulse. The number of impulse purchases during the holiday season skyrocket because consumers spend more time in stores. If you’ve entered a store for a specific item, stick to finding that item and then checkout. The longer you meander around the store, the more likely you are to purchase a gift you didn’t need in the first place.
Put a Freeze on Big Purchases
You might feel tempted to splurge on an expensive gift for a family member or even yourself, but avoid the urge to purchase the item right away. In most cases, the item will still be in the store in 24 hours, so give yourself a cooling off period. If you are still thinking about the item by the following day, then feel free to buy it, but give yourself a little time to mull over the purchase and consider cheaper alternatives.
Shop Online
Shopping online is an easy way to find the best deals, but it also offers you the ability to save even more money. Utilize browser extensions like Ebates and Honey to rack up extra savings. Ebates allows for cash back on purchases on top of any rewards you receive from the credit card you are using. Honey, on the other hand, searches all available coupon codes for a store automatically, so you don’t have to hunt for good deals. To maximize your savings, ensure you are shopping early enough to take advantage of free shipping deals around the web.
Now that you have a few ways to forgo bursting your holiday budget, it is time to get down to shopping. There is a lot to do in the days and weeks leading up to the holidays, so you better get moving.
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