Christmas
falls on December 25 every year and we all know it's coming but some of us
forget to tell our wallets! This time of year is a favourite among young and old,
and the lights, decorations and the joy of being around those you love makes it
all the more special.
But how about some tips to help
make your season even merrier by saving some money? Here are a few ideas to
make your holidays a little easier (and cheaper) to get through and allow you
more relaxation time with family and friends.
Plan, Plan, Plan
Write out your plan listing everything you will need to
buy and do this Christmas. Plan your food shopping list in advance, and check where you can get the cheapest ingredients and
groceries. If you are doing the cooking, work
out a menu plan, including everything you will eat and what groceries you need
to buy.
Make Your List
Making a list assists you in determining a budget and can help
you stick to it. Write down the names of those you will be buying presents for
and what you plan on buying them. It’s not necessary to spend a small fortune
on presents, choose to embrace a
season of simplicity and go for handmade gifts and fun ideas
that make Christmas more enjoyable anyway. Check out etsy.com for some great
handmade gifts!
Prepare your budget now
Work out how much Christmas will cost you and start
putting aside the money for it each week. When you see something on special,
buy it from your allocated Christmas money and do not go over budget. Don't rely on credit cards; you don’t want to be still
paying for Christmas into the New Year!
Stock up each week
If you have your Christmas plan and know what groceries
you will need, stock up a little each week. It will reduce the stress and
expense the closer it gets to Christmas as you will have absorbed the cost each
week instead of doing one big Christmas shop. Save the perishables for last!
Look for the sales
There are sales going all the time for various things.
Keep an eye out in your letterbox and newspapers for specials at your favourite
stores. This way you will know when something on your Christmas list is a
bargain and you can buy it at a reduced price. A little bit of saving here and
there will add up and make your 2011 Christmas just that little bit easier on
your pocket. HO HO HO !
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