Holiday Savings
- Set up a holiday budget
If you want to keep a tight rein on your spending this holiday season, the first step is to create a budget and make up your mind you are going to stick to it.
- Make a shopping list (and stick to it)
After you’ve set your holiday budget, make a list of all the people you want to buy gifts for: Focus on how much you can spend on each one, not on what you want to buy.
- Add your name to the gift list
This might sound selfish, but it’s psychologically effective: Add your name to the gift list. Show yourself some love, you deserve it!
- Go with Secret Santa, potlucks and e-cards
If you have a large family, buying gifts and cooking for everyone can force you to spend more than you can afford and take the joy out of giving.
- Pay cash
One way to avoid holiday debt is to pay cash for everything. Once your holiday budget is finalized, take that amount of money out of the bank and stick to your spending plan.
- Be cautious with credit cards
Credit cards are handy financial tools, but they can be dangerous at Christmastime. Some credit card customers end up with a holiday debt hangover that lasts a long time.
- Avoid last-minute shopping
Many of us are guilty of running out for gifts at the last minute and paying too much. Consumer expert Freeman calls this “panic spending” and urges shoppers to avoid waiting until the final days to buy gifts and supplies.
- Give the gift of your time
If you want to give someone a gift but can’t afford to buy anything, consider giving the gift of your time. You could baby-sit or walk the dog for a friend with an overloaded schedule.
- Thoughtful gifts outshine expensive ones
Some people are hard to buy for. They’ve reached a point where they have everything they need. This gives you an opportunity to be creative and come up with a thoughtful, simple gift that is also inexpensive.
Holiday Deals
Sales will look different this year, but they are still there!
Target’s Black Friday deals will be online and in stores for the entire month of November, and it will offer “weeklong discounts and digital deals every day. Target is also extending its price-match policy from two weeks after the purchase date to about two months.
Checkout Walmart online deals on November 25 and in-store deals starting at 5 a.m. local time on November 27.
Amazon Prime Day kicks off on Oct. 13.
Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, is the traditional kickoff to the holiday shopping season.
Cyber Monday is the Monday after Thanksgiving.
Free Shipping Day, on Dec. 14, is the day hundreds of stores offer free shipping with no minimum order, plus other special deals.
Check out www.RetailMeNot.com for more deals!
YOU!
The Holiday season is a lot. A lot of errands, shopping, time restraints, stress, love, anxiety, anger, hope, maybe even sadness. All the emotions in the matter of weeks. And all that plus COVID-19 restrictions is A LOT to manage! That’s why it’s important to take time this season to think about the blessings in your life. Your loved ones, your health, your mind, your abilities. When you focus on the positive things, you will think less of the negative. When we allow negative to over ride out minds, our bodies will respond, and not in a good way. Stay positive for yourself, your health, for those around you.
Tips for eating smart and staying healthy during the holidays
- Find healthy alternatives to your favorite dishes. …
- It’s all about moderation. …
- for homemade instead of processed foods. …
- Add more vegetables. …
- Slow down during meals. …
- Remember portion control. …
- Take a walk after dinner.
- Don’t forgo exercise.
When you choose joy you feel good, and when you feel good, you do good and when you do good it reminds others of what joy feels like and it just might inspire them to do the same.
I pray you, for your mind, body and soul, that the holiday season brings you happiness, peace, and love.
For more great ideas, check out https://www.bankrate.com/personal-finance, and www.healthline.com
