The holiday season is upon us once again! With all the fun, family, good cheer often comes lots of shopping, travelling, and over-spending. Here are 5 tips to help you keep your spending under control this holiday season.
Budget
The surprise of looking at a depleted post-holiday bank account is something you want to avoid. Do some planning and take the time to determine how much you can afford to spend this holiday season. While you may think that gifts are the only thing you will need to budget for, there are three categories of spending you will need to plan for: 1) Gifts 2) Food and 3) Travel Expenses. Try to commit to your budget, even if it means making some sacrifices.
Make a List
It is important to be honest with yourself about who you want to buy gifts for this year. It can be difficult to narrow this down, but this is one of the best ways to keep your spending in check. Take the time to not only write down who you will be buying for, but also what you would like to buy them. Once you have finalized the list, stick to it. This will help you avoid impulse spends and will also help you stick to your budget.
Shop the Sales
The holiday season is the retail worlds time to compete for your business. With your gift-list in hand, you can watch for big saving events and shop with purpose. Scout out your items before the sales begin. This way you know exactly what you are going to buy and whether it fits within your budget.
Get Crafty
Getting creative with your gifts can save you some serious cash. Thoughtful, handmade goods are as meaningful, if not more, than a store-bought gift. Preserves, baking, photo albums and memory books, and other do-it-yourself projects are personalized, beloved gifts and are a great option to help you stick to that budget.
Re-Imagine Holiday Parties
Hosting a get together is an expensive endeavor. As a host, you are often expected to provide the food, décor, and beverages. Depending on how many people you are expecting at your party, this can really add up. The solution? A Potluck! Ask everyone to bring their favorite dish with them. This not only adds variety to your party but takes some of the pressure off you to provide all the food.
Making a plan is the best way to avoid shoppers regret this holiday season. Still finding yourself in a pinch? Guarantee Loan Texas is the best personal loan company in Texas. We provide quick, easy-to-access small loans at 10 locations across Texas.