Christmas is on the way. Adverts are on the TV, aisles are in the supermarkets, people are already humming festive songs. Lots of people are feeling the pinch of not only the cold snap setting in but a lack of money. With Christmas coming, there an be a certain pressure to spend money. You don't have to spend a lot of money to have a great Christmas though. Let's have a look at some money saving Xmas tips.
Set & Stick To A Budget
Firstly, you need to plan a Christmas within the budget that you have. Making a budget is easier than sticking to it, but in order to achieve a money saving Xmas, we must do both. Figure out how much you have to spend, want to spend ore perhaps can afford to spend. That way you know what money you have to work with. Do the maths and figure out how much you have for presents, food and decorations. Check the decorations you already have before you buy new ones, maybe this year you don't need a new bauble! Save money where you can so you can spend it in other areas. It's not about planning the perfect Christmas. It's about planning the perfect Christmas with what you can afford.
Grab Discounts Now
Our money saving Xmas tips continue with grabbing those discounts now. The closer we get to Christmas, the more supply chain issues there could be. If you find things you want to buy, a price you're happy to pay, grab them whilst they are available. There's nothing worse than thinking that you'll go back for it but then it not being there when you return. You then might end up paying more from other retailers or as prices rise. Online searches for the cheapest price are brilliant, whilst keeping an eye out for special prices instore could also save you money.
Shop Via Cashback Sites
If you are doing online shopping to avoid the hustle and bustle of the high street, make sure you are clicking through to retailers via a cashback site. You can lessen the amount that you pay by earning cashback on the price of your purchase. It could be 10% cashback at Very, 3% at Bose, 13% when you shop at ASOS. Be sure to join Quidco and Top Cashback before you start your Christmas shopping. If you have a cashback credit card, be sure to take full advantage of the (usually around) 5% cashback as you shop for Christmas.
Have That Awkward Conversation
Our next money saving Xmas tip is to be open and honest. If you are struggling for cash or simply want to spend less this year, have that awkward conversation with loved ones about not buying gifts. We're not saying to cut out gifts for your kids or even your nieces and nephews. However do you really need to swap gift boxes of toiletries with your brother in law? Or have that feeling inside you that you need to give someone a gift because a Mum on the school run has bought you a box of biscuits. These conversations can be eye opening in the fact that we don't need to do unnecessary gift swapping. You never know, being the person to bring it up might be a lifeline for someone else. Maybe they didn't words to bring it up but are struggling for cash themselves.
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Give The Gift Of Time
Finally on our list of money saving Xmas tips, is not spending anything. You don't have to spend any money to gift a Christmas present. So often we get carried away with those things we are shown that we need on the TV. However a lot of the time, spending time together is important. You can earn more money, you can buy more stuff, you can't get any more time than we are given in this life. Plan a day out as a family. Pencil into your diary a coffee date with a friend. Gift some time with your kids. You'll love it just as much as they do!
Wishing you a money saving Xmas and a savvy New Year!
