Saving on Christmas
December 12, 2011
Buy Christmas decorations right after Christmas
Saving on Christmas Supplies for Next Year
The holidays this year are as busy as they ever were, but you’ve done a good job this year. You finished the shopping, got the food for the big meal, and other than a last minute gift you might actually be getting ready to relax and enjoy yourself. But don’t let your guard down just yet. If you went over budget a bit this holiday you won’t regret it until you get the bill in January. But by then it will be too late to realize some great savings that you can take advantage of right as the holiday season is winding down. By using a couple of these tips and a little planning you can save a ton on your holiday season next year.
Inventory What You Have
While doing your Christmas clean up this year try to save as much as you can. Although a lot of us remember what we got for Christmas last year, you probably don’t remember what color paper was used to wrap it. Reusing old boxes and paper when possible is a simple and easy way to save. Once you figure out what exactly you have leftover, it’s time to hit the stores.
Timely Bargain Shopping
Many of us might not want to go shopping right after our holiday shopping experiences. But if you want the best deals on Christmas décor and supplies, now is the time to act. Stores offer deep discounts on holiday supplies right after Christmas to clear out the shelves. Wrapping paper, bows, and ribbons are just a few of the many items that will be discounted heavily. Some of these supplies can be had for 90% less than they were priced at before Christmas! If you have one good bulk trip you might be able to get enough supplies to last you for several Christmases to come. Just remember that planning is the key. Be sure to make a list of what supplies you need so that you don’t go overboard impulse buying when you see all those low prices.
By using a little planning and timely shopping, you can greatly reduce the cost of Christmas for your family next year.
Holiday Tipping Guide
December 7, 2011
The holiday season is the time of year for giving. This usually means that most of us try to give people that we see in our daily lives a little extra thanks for everything that they do for us. But how do you let everyone know that you’ve thought of them this year without blowing your holiday budget? Remember that it’s the thought that counts and you can let people know you’re thinking of them without breaking the bank. By using this holiday tipping guide you can make sure everyone knows how much you appreciate them, not spend your whole budget, and not seem insincere while doing it.
Babysitter- This gift deserves at least a night’s pay, but try to avoid cash. A personalized gift card for a store that fits their interests is much more thoughtful.
Full time nanny- At least a week’s pay amount for a gift is appropriate. Just make sure that you buy a designer hand bag and not a diaper bag, you don’t want to make it seem like your gift is giving them more work.
Day care staff- A small cash gift is okay, i.e. less than $20 per staff member. You can personalize your gift by having your child pick out a small token gift to go along with the cash.
Teachers- A small gift is good, or if you and other parents want to chip in for a larger gift that’s okay too. Just be sure to check your school’s policy on what types of gifts teachers are allowed to accept.
Postal Carriers- A small gift works, but don’t give cash! Civil servants (such as postal carriers) are not allowed to receive cash tips. This also includes gift cards. Something to help keep them warm in the winter would be thoughtful.
Hairstylist/Beautician- A gift in the amount of one typical visit is good enough. If you go more often you might want to go for a bit more.
If there are others who you want to buy a gift for, that’s great. Just remember to make a list with people and amounts first so you don’t go over budget this year.
Saving on Holiday Shopping
December 5, 2011
It’s that time of year again, time for holiday shopping! The holiday shopping season is the only time of year when hurrying up to wait is broken down to a science. But this time of year also comes with a lot of extra worry and stress for most consumers. Everyone’s trying to get everything on their list, stay under budget, and do it all without running out of time. These factors coming together in this way creates a perfect storm for a lot of holiday stress. But with a little planning and effort this year, you can get everything on your list and still come in under budget. Here are some tips on how to save on your holiday shopping this year.
Have a Plan
Before you enter the chaos of the store or start randomly searching online, be sure to have a good plan in place. Not having a good plan is the main reason most consumers are lured by sales and impulse purchases. Be sure your list has everyone on it, and a specific amount to spend on each person.
Use the Internet
Take advantage of your computer this holiday season. Try getting some discounted gift cards to do your shopping this year. Thousands of major retailers offer discounted gift cards on their websites. You can also shop for them on gift card websites like giftcards.com. You can save anywhere from 5 to 35 percent depending on the retailer. Don’t forget about social media also. Following retailers on sites like Facebook and Twitter will get you holiday deals and specials this time of year. Also for deep savings don’t forget about craigslist.org. Remember that there is no shortage of televisions, electronics, appliances, and electronics out there. If the person you’re buying for won’t mind, consider something a little used to save big bucks. The last couple of weeks leading up to Christmas are a great time to search sites like this for new items too. Millions of Americans buy the wrong gifts every year and don’t know what to do with them. They then turn to sites like Craigslist to resell the poor purchase they’ve just made. This may be able to get you the best deal to brag about this year.
By using a couple of these tips you’ll be able to make sure you come in under budget this holiday season.
8 Ways to Be Frugal During the Holidays
December 2, 2011
Saving money during the holiday season can be difficult, especially for people with large families and many friends to buy gifts for. Even the costs of decorations, holiday clothes, and attending parties can add up fairly quickly. Fortunately, there are ways to live frugally over the holidays. If you need to save some money this season, try the following tips:
Watch the sale ads, and combine deals with coupons
- While most frugal people follow this advice throughout the year, the holiday season is full of sales by stores trying to attract customers. There are also coupons for a lot of products. Look for deals at department and big box stores.
Make your own decorations out of household objects
- Christmas decorations can cost a lot of money, but it is possible to make a lot of them for free from household objects. Look for directions online to make tree ornaments, outdoor decorations, and even your own stockings.
Wait until the last minute to buy a Christmas tree
- On December 24th, any Christmas trees left on local lots aren’t going anywhere. This means that you have a lot of room for negotiation if you wait to the last minute to get a tree. The selection might not be the best, but you can get a tree for a fraction of what you would have otherwise paid.
Hold off on buying electronics and fine jewelry
- These items are typically marked up more during the holiday season, when quickly reduced in the months after. While there might be good sales on some items, in general you will do better if you wait to buy these items after the holiday.
Make inexpensive foods
- Sausage stuffing, spiral cut hams, and fudge require expensive ingredients that can add a lot to your grocery bill during the holidays. Consider cheaper foods such as turkey, bread stuffing, and sweet potatoes.
Combine your shopping trips
- Driving to each store separately can use a lot of gas and take up a lot of time. Plan shopping trips to include several trips can save a lot of money.
Shop carefully at after-season sales
- The deals at these sales often aren’t as good as they seem. Many stores claim they have sales going on, but read between the lines. Not everything is a deal!
It is possible to be frugal during the holidays without sacrificing much. Your holiday can be just as good as someone who has spent twice as much simply by following a few simple rules. Take it easy this year and plan in advance. If you do it right, you can save loads!
Save on Stocking Stuffers
November 30, 2011
You’ve done a good job planning your gift list. You’ve gotten all of the gifts you wanted for everyone and you’re still under budget. Then you realize, “Oh no! What about the stockings?” You then run out at the last minute, only to blow your budget on smaller overpriced items. Let’s avoid that scenario this year by planning some easy, inexpensive solutions for the stockings.
Coupons
Coupons make great stocking stuffers, and usually come at deep discounts. Groupon.com has great coupons and excellent specials during the holiday season. Just be careful you don’t start buying coupons for yourself as this can be very tempting. Also, if you already have some coupons for yourself that you haven’t used this may be a great opportunity to re-gift them again. Just make sure that the coupons you were saving don’t have expiration dates on them. Otherwise you’re not doing your reputation as a thoughtful gift giver any favors. You also have tons of free coupons at your disposal by offering your services in the form of a coupon. People really appreciate these kinds of coupons (especially new parents) because they really add a personal touch. Remember that time is an extremely valuable commodity in today’s world, and offering some of yours is considered more thoughtful than ever.
Double Down
When thinking of stocking stuffers for the kids, try to think about items that you would probably be buying for them anyway. Toothbrushes, toothpaste, and dental floss are examples of items that can be used as stocking stuffers. School supplies are also perfect for this. And although pens and pencils don’t get the reaction of the Xbox, they are practical for you and they stuff the stocking.
Dollar Days
Don’t forget about the dollar store when it comes to stocking stuffers. There are a lot of different types of items at the dollar store and all are at deep discounts. Also remember to find the clearance rack at the dollar store as you might be able to fill all of the kids stocking from this area alone.
So try a little pre-planning when you’re stuffing the stockings this year, your budget will thank you for it.
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