Every year Christmas sales run into the billions, with so many items on sale, people wanting to make the most out of their Christmas, and the money spent on gifts, drinks, food, entertainment, and house decor.
However, after all the celebrations and get togethers, we are quick to realize how many expenses we’ve incurred and how short on cash we are now. So to avoid going into debt this Christmas, we have come up with 10 really simple tips to enjoy Christmas and not go into debt.
Collect all your change: with so many coins lying loose around the house, a good idea would be to start saving them months before Christmas. This will cover tiny expenses without going into debt. Let the kids in on this idea, and have a competition, and whoever can save the most gets a little extra Christmas gift of their choice.
Make a list and stick to it: sales items increase during Christmas causing a hike in impulse purchases. So to avoid this, make a comprehensive list of what you need or want and stick to that list when shopping.
Draft a Christmas budget according to your income: don’t buy just because someone you know is getting it or you want to show that you can afford it when you really can’t.
Pay for all Christmas expenses with cash: credit and debit cards have a funny way of draining our bank accounts without us knowing. But when you pay in cash, you become more aware of your expenditure and work towards limiting spending wisely.
Bring out the old decorations: why buy a new one, when last year’s decor looks just as great? And if you don’t want a similar look, you can buy a few decorations at a consignment store, sales isle, or thrift store way before Christmas to change up the look. You can also have the kids make some homemade decorations and make this Christmas more family oriented for them.
Don’t buy the cookies, bake some: spend quality time in the kitchen with the kids by baking up your favorite recipes for your friends and family. It saves you money and allows you to add a personal touch to it. After all, Christmas is about love and sharing
Ask friends and family what they would like for Christmas: and ask them way before Christmas comes around. This will allow you to buy the items and keep them before expensive Christmas prices arrive. It will also prevent you from wasting money on a gift they don’t want.
Compare prices and seek good discount rates before buying and paying for an item: don’t just buy from the first store you enter; compare prices and see if you can get a bargain before paying.
Use your coupons and promo codes to get Christmas items and save the extra from more important things. Buy what is important before anything else: things like food and gifts. And then see what you can DIY at home, whether it’s decor or special dishes.
Take advantage of technology: during Christmas, it’s the thought that matters. So for relatives and friends living far away; instead of mailing them a gift, send them a personal Christmas video message wishing them a very wonderful holiday.
With the following tips, Christmas will be a blast this year with more money to pay your bills in January. So enjoy the holidays!
Now if you have any questions about the tips above, just let me know in the comments down below! I’d love to help you out!
Chasing Foxes was started in 2016 as a way for Grace and her husband, Silas, to start traveling. However, they started to realize that they had a passion for improving themselves, and wanted to help others level up their lives as well. So whether it's with cooking, travel, or staying healthy, they want to help you better your life bit by bit, as they do the same.