Money Saving Techniques: 10 Ways to Save Money During the Holidays

Posted: Oct 07, 2009 | Comments: 0 | Views: 55 | Bookmark and Share

The holidays can turn happy seasons into times of stress and anguish, especially if you already have more debt than you'd like. So, here are a few money saving techniques to help you keep your finances in order.

1) Create a budget. A budget is actually the best way to keep you on track. Knowing how much you can really afford to spend will help you figure out how many presents you can buy. Make sure your budget includes everything you normally buy during the holidays, such as decorations, cards, and postage.

2) Make a list. Ask yourself two questions before you go to the mall: Who am I shopping for? and How much do I want to spend on each person? Keep the list within the budget, and if it's not working out, try reducing the names or the amount you are spending on each person.

3) Organize a gift exchange. If you have a big family, it may not be practical to buy presents for everyone. Organize a gift exchange, where each family member buys only one gift for someone else. This reduces the pressure of having to stretch the money too thin. Since you're only buying one gift, you're also able to spend a little more to get something better.

4) Plan ahead. If you start early, you can take advantage of the best sales and have a better chance of finding exactly what you're looking for. There's nothing worse than trying to find the ideal gift in all of the chaos that is guaranteed to be at any given store you go in on Christmas Eve.

5) Just say no. The stores have almost perfected the skill of luring you in during the holiday season. The colorful decorations and Christmas music make those sales all the more tempting, and it is easy to buy things that no one will ever use. Don't buy things on impulse. Also, set boundaries for your children's wish list so they don't expect more than you can reasonably accomplish.

6) Give priceless gifts. If money is running low, find other ways to give gifts. Organize an inexpensive outing or make a special dinner or dessert. Get creative. There's nothing wrong with making presents on your own. Try finding new uses for old things. Don't forget that it's the thought that counts.

7) Stick to cash. If you have trouble with budgeting, then only spend cash. Once it's gone, your shopping is done.

8) Stay away from credit cards. Credit cards may be easier, but it is easy to lose track of spending. If you end up spending more than you can afford to pay off at one time, you could end up paying for those gifts for the next 30 years.

9) Start planning for next year. Take advantage of the after-Christmas sales to get things for next year. You can not only find holiday decorations at unbelievably low prices, but also get a head start on basic items for next year's gift giving.

10) Don't forget the true meaning of the holiday. This time hasn't always been about buying lots of presents and racking up debt. Reflect on your own spiritual or cultural beliefs with your family.

(ArticlesBase SC #1311535)

Rate this Article
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 0 vote(s)
    Feedback
    RSS
    Print
    Email
    Re-Publish

    Source:  http://www.articlesbase.com/finance-articles/money-saving-techniques-10-ways-to-save-money-during-the-holidays-1311535.html

    Article Tags:

    Gifts

    ,

    Debt

    ,

    Budgeting

    ,

    Money Management

    ,

    saving money

    ,

    Holiday shopping

    ,

    budgeting tips

    Saving Money on Holiday Decorations

    We have been talking a lot about ways to cut back on spending this holiday season-and a lot of people think one great way to save is with the decor. Lifestyle expert, Susie Coelho, says you have to put your creativity to the test, and she is here to show us how. (03:39)

    How to Give Safely to Holiday Charities

    Tips and advice for personal finance from the Dolans. This video focus' on how to give safely to holiday charities and not by ripped off by the holiday scams. (05:47)

    How to Much to Tip Over the Holidays

    Tips and advice for personal finance from the Dolans. This video focus' on how to much to tip over the holidays. (04:11)

    Finding Online Coupons for Holiday Shopping Online

    Before you do a final checkout with your online holiday shopping cart, we have another money saving online shopping tip. Molly McDonald explains how to a last-minute search for an online coupon might save you money on your online shopping order. (01:55)

    How to Cook, Entertain, Decorate for Holidays

    Knowing how to do something right the first time, will help you save time (and money) when you’re trying to cook and entertain this holiday. How can you decorate the table on a budget? How long are you supposed to cook a ham? How should you stock your pantry so you’re ready to make a meal that can’t be beat? How can you give gifts that don’t break the bank? (03:14)

    Tom Conrad

    With the holiday season upon us it becomes tempting to over-compensate for bad luck or the poor state of our economy by bringing good tidings to loved ones with lavish presents. The only problem is that mentality will only send you deeper into financial debt. Here are some tips on how you can avoid Holiday Debt this year and set yourself up to start 2009 on the path to financial freedom.

    By: Tom Conrad l Finance > Personal Finance l Dec 04, 2008 l Views: 14

    As I write this, "Black Friday" (Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, historically the busiest retail shopping day of the year) is just about over. Were you one of the ones who braved the masses looking for bargains?

    By: June Carr l Self Improvement > Stress Management l Dec 04, 2006 l Views: 296

    Christmastime is a wonderful time of year to relax with family and rejoice with friends. The holiday should give people a chance to unwind from everyday life but it usually makes them much more stressed.

    By: CD Mohatta l Home and Family > Holidays l Aug 04, 2008 l Views: 24
    Suzanne White

    Suzanne White explains how the Chinese New Year works. What the Rat is like and how the Earth Rat will treat all of us during the next 12 months. Each Chinese Sign's 2008 horoscope is included. Hang on to your hat, here comes the Rat!

    By: Suzanne White l Spirituality > Astrology l Feb 05, 2008 l Views: 223

    If a person with little or no money wins a lottery for several million dollars, their first instinct would be to go on a shopping spree for stuff they could never afford. Statistics has proven that winners of large jackpots face both a pile of money and lots of problematic...

    By: Mwilliams l Finance l Feb 10, 2010

    Pip Android is a master at extracting pips with every currency pair in every market condition. So while others are watching their bots panic, you’re raking in the cash. By the way, Pip Android has our Patented 14 Point Profit Protection System built right in. This means that you’ll enter and exit every position with your profits intact. This is a must-have in the Forex market.

    By: Rob Trader l Finance l Feb 10, 2010

    In this next video you'll see exactly how to handle market situations you haven't planned for or have never seen before.

    By: Rob Trader l Finance l Feb 10, 2010

    Whether its home or car insurance, when you buy an insurance policy, you are making an important investment. It gives you peace of mind knowing that if an event happens which could cost you a lot of money, you are protected. There are a number of different ways of purchasing...

    By: Adriana N. l Finance l Feb 10, 2010

    Having a hard time with your finances? Try and follow these simple steps to have your credits repaired.

    By: Irene Miller l Finance l Feb 10, 2010
    Wiley Long

    Florida residents can take advantage of innovative ideas from several Florida Health Insurance providers that make it easy to improve your health. Health Insurance in Florida is offering solutions that provide more convenience, and help you get the greatest benefit for your health care dollars.

    By: Wiley Long l Finance l Feb 10, 2010 l Views: 1

    If the idea of selling financial products appeals to you, you will find lots of possibilities for a rewarding career.

    By: Paul Buchanan l Finance l Feb 10, 2010

    Opening a saving account in another country may be difficult if you are an immigrant. This is not so if you want to open a saving account in Australia due to the 100 point system. Find out what this system is all about.

    By: Mel C l Finance l Feb 10, 2010 l Views: 1

    In planning for retirement, we want to plan on having funds come from the three-legged stool: pension (or other employer-sponsored retirement plan), Social Security, and our own savings. We normally start taking our pensions upon retirement. Our personal savings is available whenever we may need to draw upon it. So, the big question is when should I start drawing my Social Security benefits?

    By: Ozeme J Bonnette l Finance l Feb 09, 2010

    Here are some financial planning tips to help you make sure that you are ready in retirement - 60s and beyond.

    By: Ozeme J Bonnette l Finance l Feb 08, 2010 l Views: 7

    The media has been over-run with talk about mortgage and credit card defaults. Many homeowners have been scrambling to save their homes from foreclosure. Hearing all of this, we might begin to wonder whether there really is such a thing as a good loan. Using credit is not always a bad thing. We just need to understand when it is appropriate.

    By: Ozeme J Bonnette l Finance l Feb 06, 2010 l Views: 4

    Foreclosure rates have reached highs most of us have never seen before. Many people are panicked, especially those who are facing the possibility of being foreclosed on. I wanted to offer some suggestions to those who may need to look at their options. The sooner you act, the better the chances of saving your home.

    By: Ozeme J Bonnette l Finance l Feb 02, 2010

    Although death is not a subject that most of us like to talk about, we all know that it is an inevitable part of life. None of us will live forever. With that in mind, it is absolutely crucial to consider the well-being of the loved ones we leave behind

    By: Ozeme J Bonnette l Finance l Jan 25, 2010 l Views: 9

    Times are hard financially. Since the sub-prime market fell apart, there has been a domino effect that has trickled into the rest of the economy. One of the most troubling signs of abuse that I have seen lately is the way that credit card companies are preying on those who are currently financially challenged.

    By: Ozeme J Bonnette l Finance l Jan 19, 2010 l Views: 3

    Although diligence is admirable, we need to make sure we have the proper balance in our lives. We have to avoid overworking.

    By: Ozeme J Bonnette l Finance l Jan 04, 2010 l Views: 8

    In performing our work, we should remember that there are no small parts in God's Kingdom. As mentioned in Ephesians 2:10, we have all been chosen by God to do different tasks, and they are all equally important.

    By: Ozeme J Bonnette l Finance l Jan 03, 2010 l Views: 30

    Add new Comment

     
    * Required fields
    Author Box
    Articles Categories
    All Categories
    0