Many
people are searching for ways to save money during this holiday
season.
Fortunately, there are some ways you can stretch your budget
this Christmas. Compare prices online Some people mistakenly settle for the prices in stores. Before
you buy, always
do your research on the Internet to see if you can get a cheaper
price. Some
stores let you buy online and then pick up in the store. While
you are in the
store, use your cell phone to look up the price. If the online
price is
cheaper, buy the item online using your cell phone and then walk
over to the
pick-up area to retrieve your item. You can win now with
this money saving strategy.
Use coupons Never underestimate the amount of money you can save by clipping
coupons. Look
online at store websites to find and print coupons. Some stores
have Facebook
sites that offer coupons. You can also look in your local
newspaper to get
coupons, too. Read each store's coupon policy carefully as some
stores will
accept two coupons on the same item if one is a store coupon and
one is a
manufacturer's coupon. These savings can add up quickly.
Read the ads Not only should you read the ads, you should read the ads
religiously. You need
to know how much the gifts you want to buy cost, so you know
when they hit
their lowest prices. Many people falsely assume that the
advertised sales
prices are the lowest. However, if you watch the prices in the
ads for a few weeks
before you make your purchases, you will know if you are getting
a good deal or
not. You should study the ads in print and online because the
prices may
differ.
The family meal You may be responsible for cooking a big meal for all of your
family members.
This can be one huge holiday expense. Instead of cooking a meal
this year, try
to stretch your budget farther by doing something different. You
can save money
by choosing to serve appetizers instead of a three course meal,
or you could
host a dessert party.
Host this year One way some people break their budget is by flying to visit
relatives during
the holiday season. If you need to stretch your budget, try
hosting this year.
Invite everyone to your home, and let them pay for expensive
flights.
You can stretch your budget this Christmas by doing your
homework before you
spend money. Plan ahead and make the conscience decision
to stay within
your budget this year. It can be helpful to keep a copy of your
budget with you
to help you make decisions when you shop.
Nisha represents Winnow.co.uk.
She writes about living frugally and money saving
tips.

1 comments:
I love shopping online because it's so easy to compare prices. I also shop year-round to take advantage of deals. If possible, try to talk your family into a potluck meal. So much easier & saves money. It might not be the most perfect Christmas meal of all time, but so what? The family getting together with less stress and cost is important.
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