MONEY TIPS FOR CHRISTMAS - HOW TO SPEND LESS?

Christmas time is really magical. But it also connects with a lot of expenses. Gifts, meals, ornaments... These things can cost you a lot of money. Fortunately, you can save some money preparing Christmas. We present some saving tips for Christmas time, so you can spend less money and be less stressed.

Plan your home budget

Allocate a specific amount of money, which won't overburden your everyday home budget, for your Christmas preparations. That amount of money will be your specific Christmas budget.

The next thing you should do is to plan every expense related to Christmas. All the expenses you plan at that point should fit in the amount of money you allocated earlier. How to do it? Divide every expense on categories (food, gifts, ornaments) and in each category name everything you have to buy. Subsequently, try to assess cost of these items. Sum up everything and check if the expenses fit in the previously planned amount of money. If it doesn't fit, make necessary adjustments.

After setting up a Christmas budget, do everything to strictly respect it. During shopping don't let yourself be spontaneous, don't buy unnecessary things.

Do Christmas shopping wisely

While preparing your Christmas budget, you should always think about festive meals you want to prepare and every ingredient you'll have to use. After that, make your shopping list.

You should always go shopping with a detailed shopping list. Preparing the list attend to details, so you can be totally sure that the list includes everything you need.

How to prepare a proper shopping list?

1. List every meal you want to prepare during Christmas time and all of the ingredients you may need to cook it. Check your fridge and kitchen closets in case you already have some of the ingredients. Put the rest of them on the list.

2. Remember that you also need some everyday products – don't forget to put them on the list. You don't need to go shopping twice!

3. Before you go shopping, check every kitchen closet again. With theis precaution you won't put in your shopping cart unnecessary products just because of that you won't be sure if you have them.

Try to buy everything at once, so as not to waste money for gasoline.

You can also try to do shopping online – you can order stuff and pick it up or choose home delivery. Don't drive to the market at the last minute – it will be crowded and prices will be higher.

Buy gifts wisely

You still have time to save some money on Christmas gifts.

Try to allocate a particular amount of money on Christmas presents – it should fit in your budget and not overcome your financial affordability.

Where to look for the presents?

1. Try on online auctions. You can find many products at lower prices there. Remember though to check a seller – before Christmas there are many frauds on online auction websites. Bet on highly recommended sellers with a huge number of auctions carried out in the past.

2. On the internet, you can find many sites which compare product prices in many different online shops. These sites will give you a recommendation about where to buy something at the lowest price.

3. Visit websites of the shops your close ones like to buy things in. Currently you can find some discounts there. On the website you can easily look through available products and check out existing discounts. Then you can check out where the product you choose is reachable. You can buy it online or go to a traditional store and take a precise look at it.

Do something by yourself

If you can't afford presents this year, do them by yourself. DIY was getting more and more popular in the past few years. That way you can save some money and bring joy to your close ones. If you don't know what to give to your close ones, try to make reference to the memories you share. You can also look for inspiration on the internet.

If you are afraid about your family reaction, combine two options: buy something small and do other thing by yourself. You can for example buy a little gift and prepare a Christmas card by yourself.

Reduce the Christmas menu

Every year, many Christmas dishes are thrown in the trash can. Try to change it this year. Think carefully about your Christmas menu. You can also prepare smaller portions.

If you are worried that you won't handle it financially, ask every person that is going to visit you on that special day to bring one dish – his or her specialty. If everyone brings something, you can save some time and money.

Don't go overboard with ornaments

Christmas ornaments appear in shops after Halloween. They look pretty and tempting. But if your financial situation is not perfect, maybe you shouldn't buy any ornaments this year.

How to save money on ornaments?

1. Look carefully through every ornament you have in your house. Maybe there's no need to buy new ones and the old ones just require refreshing?

2. Check out the lights in appropriate advance. If they are broken, you will have some time to find new ones at a good price.

3. Artificial Christmas tree is a cheaper and more economic option than a real one. If you really want to have a real one, wait till the last days before Christmas – there will be some discounts.

All of the advice above will help you with reducing Christmas expenses. This year try to arrange everything that way just to reduce also a stress connected with this special time. Remember to celebrate with the ones you love!

Author: Olga Gierszal