A big Tightwad welcome for Stephanie of howmuchisit.org who shares some saving tips for the holidays.
Ah, the holidays are near and we all
know what that means -- food, gifts, parties and more. If you don't want to get into debt like you
did last year, here are eight saving tips you may want to keep in mind.
1. Create a budget Before you even spend a penny, create a budget ahead
of time. This budget will help you
determine where you're going to spend money on gifts, food, parties and so
forth. Often people spend way too
much on gifts, leading to a large credit card bill they can't afford.
2. Try Cash Spending cash is a great way to make sure you won't go into debt. So whether you want to buy gifts or food for
an upcoming gathering, pull out the cash ahead of time and only spend that. When the money is gone, your budget is done.
3. Allow Time There's nothing worse than showing up to a party empty handed. If you don't plan your time accordingly, you
may have to stop at a store before the party.
Most of the time, if you take this route, people will spend way more than they
should. Just like a budget, create a
schedule for the upcoming month to determine where you're going to be and what
you need to buy. You don't want to stop
at Walgreens on Christmas day to buy your mother-in-law a gift.
4. Consider e-cards In today's technological era, most families have Facebook and
email. If you know their email address
or you're connected with them through Facebook, consider sending them a
customized e-card. Most of the times,
these cards are just as creative as the ones being sent in the mail. The best part? It's free!
5. Shop online Today, just about everything you want to buy is going
to be cheaper on the Internet. When you
buy something online, it gives you the time to explore sales, compare prices
and look for coupon codes. Plus,
you don't have to fight crowds or look for a parking spot. While it may take the fun out of shopping
just a bit, it's going to save you a lot of money if you play your cards right.
6. Discounted gift cards If you're a fan of handing out gift cards to your
friends and family, consider buying them at a discount. Depending on the
retailer, you can save more than 20% with some retailers. Check out eBay or third-party retailers who
specialize in selling discounted cards.
7. Be creative With many holiday dinner gatherings, most people want
you to bring either a dish to pass or a light snack. Instead of stopping at the grocery store and
spending $30 on a cheese platter, consider making something yourself.
8. Prepare for next year The minute the holidays end, head to your local
stores to see what kind of discounts you can take advantage of. You will be amazed at how much you can
saving on holiday related gifts, wrapping paper and so forth. If you have the money to spend, consider
stocking up for next year.
Stephanie
represents howmuchisit.org, a website that can
help consumers find out what everything in life costs. To date, they have more than 4,000 cost
helping guides.
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