Every holiday season we see a lot of people stressed out about how they will be able to afford presents and food for the holidays. It’s an understandable worry, especially when it seems like money is so tight. But there are some ways that you can keep your wallet full this Christmas! In this blog post, we’ll explore some tricks on how to not go broke during the holidays.
Plan and start saving now
Sometimes it’s easy to think you’ll be able to save up enough money before the holiday season comes. But if you wait too long, you might find yourself in a tight squeeze. So, start saving now!
Put away $20 out of every check — or even less if it’s easier. And if you can find ways to cut back on spending now (like cutting back your gym membership or getting rid of cable), then that’s even better. You’ll feel much more financially secure come Christmas time.
Make a list of what you want to get for Christmas
A good way to keep your wallet full is by making a list of what you want to get for Christmas. That way, you can budget and shop around so that when the time comes you know exactly how much money you have to spend. Making this list will help prevent getting broke during the holidays because it keeps track of prices which helps determine how much money you have to spend.
This list can also be used for other holidays like birthdays, anniversaries, or Valentine’s day! By keeping track of all of these prices and dates on one document, it will help keep your wallet full during the entire year instead of just in time for Christmas time!
Get the best deal possible
One way to save money this holiday season is by using coupons. The best time to use coupons to get the most out of your shopping trip is in the weeks leading up to Christmas. As sales increase, so do coupon offers to make sure that there are people buying products.
Another way to make sure you don’t go broke during the holidays is by waiting for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which are days when all sorts of items are sold at great discounts.
If you are buying Christmas gifts for everyone on your list, then it would be best to buy everything at once. There are usually more discounts right after the holidays because of the leftover inventory that needs to go before January rolls around.
To get the best deal for Christmas, you can combine all of these methods. For example, buying a few items online and getting some in-store with coupons is a great way to save money this holiday season.
Shop at thrift stores or garage sales
When it comes to Christmas, many people are tempted to go for the big-ticket items. But if you’re trying to save money, instead of thinking about how much you can buy when you shop at a department store, you should think about how much you plan on spending.
If the amount in your wallet is dwindling, try shopping at thrift stores or garage sales. These stores often have great deals on clothing and furniture that are in perfect condition. This way, you’ll be able to enjoy the holiday season without going broke in the process.
Use cashback apps
This is a great way to earn cashback on items you are buying anyway. For example, Ibotta will give users cashback for purchasing specific products at specific stores. The user can get money by taking a picture of the product’s barcode or scanning it if available in-store. Some retailers also offer bonuses to shop online through them or using their app, like Ebates.
Not only do these cashback apps help you stay within your budget, but they also give users the ability to shop around which helps them find the best deals.
You can find these on your app store or search “Cashback App” on Google to find more.
Shop for food beforehand
If you are hosting Christmas dinner, make sure to shop for food before the holiday. This way, it’s already paid for and won’t take away from your budget. A quick, easy way to make sure you don’t overspend is by making a shopping list.
Include everything that you need for your holiday meal as well as any stocking stuffers or gifts that you want to buy for others. Write down what you need and stick to the list.
Another great tip is to shop online for cheaper items, but make sure to factor in shipping costs when adding up your total expenses.
Try using cash instead of credit cards
If you tend to spend more than usual during the holidays, try using cash instead of credit cards. Not only does using cash help you stay within your spending limits, it also makes you think twice before making a purchase.
When deciding how much to spend on gifts for friends and family members, create a budget that includes the amount of money in your wallet as well as any credit cards or other forms of payment that are available to you. Stick to your budget to avoid overspending.
Sell unwanted gifts on Poshmark or Facebook Marketplace
No matter how much you spend on gifts, there are sure to be some things you don’t want at the end of the day. Consider selling them! Some people make extra money this way every year.
You can list them on Facebook Marketplace or Poshmark. There are lots of ways to sell your stuff online these days. Take great photos of your items and write a good description. Make sure the price is a good deal and do some research on similar items to help you set that value.
People are usually more inclined to buy during this time of year, so don’t be afraid to offer free shipping if you’re feeling generous.
If you have a lot of gifts to sell, however, it might be more worth your time and energy to donate them directly. Find out if there is a Salvation Army or Goodwill in your area that will take donations for their stores this holiday season.
Splurge on family time with loved ones instead of material items
There are many different ways to make the holidays special and one of these is getting together with family and friends at a great restaurant, spending time doing activities you all enjoy, watching movies together in bed on Christmas morning (with hot chocolate!), or even going for a walk through your city (if it snows). It is important to spend time with family and friends during the holidays, not just buy them material items.
This is a great way to show loved ones you care and it will not break the bank.
Conclusion
We are sure that you are not the only person out there that has worried about this. We all know that it can be hard to keep our wallets full during the holiday season, but with a few changes in your mindset, you can easily increase your spending power. Change your beliefs about what Christmas is for and learn to enjoy the experience of giving, and you’ll find yourself with more money than you need to spend.
