Everyone knows that Christmas can be an expensive time and even those of us with the best intentions can end up spending significantly more than we originally meant to. With many people tightening their belts this year, it definitely makes sense to look at ways to save money this Christmas, from choosing interest free credit cards to buy your presents and considering making things yourself…
Set a budget – and stick to it
Okay, so it can be hard to stick to a budget at Christmas, but if you don’t, you’ll only end up feeling the pain in the New Year. Some people like to set themselves a minimum and maximum budget and aim for their spending to come in somewhere around the middle; this can be a good way of limiting your budget without feeling like you’re restricting yourself too much.
Spend – and pay – wisely
Also, make sure you shop around for the best value presents. The ‘obvious’ websites and shops aren’t necessarily the cheapest, so take the time to do some research. Also, if you’re putting your shopping on your credit card, consider investigating the range of cards available and going for one that will benefit you most – such as card credit interest free.
Consider downsizing
It might not be the most appetising of options, but downsizing your Christmas is another good way to save money. This doesn’t have to mean going without, but most of us could probably get by with a smaller turkey, a less extravagant tree and a few less bottles of wine during the holiday period.
Do it yourself
Finally, if you’re the crafty sort, you could save a decent amount of money by making things yourself. Even if you’re not up to the job of making presents, printing your own cards and wrapping paper using cut-out shapes and paint is a good money-saver, as well as a good way to get the kids involved and add a personal touch to all your gifts.
January 17, 2012
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