Christmas is indeed a joyful season. However, it also brings headaches to majority of people who are trying to buy and give gifts to all of their godchildren, parents, kids, spouses, relatives, and friends. Of course, you could see that bonuses are overflowing, which are also enough to purchase new things such as clothes, shoes, new appliances, and a portion of it for Christmas meals. Along with bonuses and other incentives that you can get from your work, office-mates and friends might throw at you an idea of blowing out and buying treats for everyone to celebrate. You do not want to overspend. In fact, this is the best time where you can save more than spending a lot. Here are few of the proven financial tips that will let you spend on your allocated budget.
10. Invent Cheap yet Healthy Christmas Meals
You do not need to settle on the traditional extravagant Christmas preparation just to feel the yuletide season. In fact, you could create several dishes out of chicken, vegetables, and other food selections that you have at home. How would you start? Grab your pen and browse online about recipes that you can cook which are unique, inexpensive, and presentable on your table this season. Do not just sit down and mope. Just do it now so you could have all the ideas wherein you could narrow them down later to 4 to 6 meals.
9. Keep Your Savings
This is something that you should do first once you received your Christmas bonus, salary, and other incentives or commissions that you gained from work. It is up to you if what you usually save is 10 to 20 percent of your regular income or you would like to keep the consistency of your savings to a percentage adaptable to you. Real rewards come as you see that you have something that you can draw from when you needed it most. This is how you pay yourself on Christmas.
8. Early Shopping
The typical scenario during Christmas is the shopping rush where people would just buy what is available and options are being omitted because of the necessity to buy. Of course, you could have some discounts on that day, but there are other choices and thrifty items that you can select from, which could be the best gift that you can give because you have thought about it.
7. Be Creative
It does not mean that when Christmas comes, you have to spend a lot and buy what you could see in department store, groceries, and other gift shops. You have to be creative. It is a plus factor if you know how to sew, crochet, knit or use other skills that you can utilize where you could create personalized gifts and other items, which are not typical in the market. You are hitting three birds in one stone. You save yourself from additional expenses where you can make someone happy while displaying your talents.
6. Teach Children to Prioritize
This tip is intended for parents who tend to spoil and give what their children want on Christmas. Yes, it is true that Christmas is a time to give but it does not say that you have to be luxurious in all you are spending. Teach your children to list the things that they want and help them identify which is the most important.
5. Group Gifts
Instead of buying an individual gift, why not buy a gift that would be intended for the whole family? In fact, you could buy items, which are in bundles, and you can distribute them to everyone. It is ideal if you are going to present a give to families or relatives. You save yourself from tiring yourself wrapping many gifts where you give them the kind of present that will not give them an envious feeling since it is a one-gift-for-all.
4. Keep Your Credit Cards
Do not be tempted to swipe in your cards just to buy all the gifts to important persons. In fact, you have to keep that card and use the resources that you have in your pocket. Christmas should be free from credit cards too.
3. Learn to Say No
Declining something does not mean that you hate the idea or you do not like to do it, but it is an honest declaration that you cannot spend too much or you do not have the money. They cannot force you away if you are penniless not unless they are your true friends.
2. Plan Ahead of Time
The best time to start planning is when the year begins. It might sound overly done, but it is ideal. Along the way, you could make adjustments and you would be satisfied with the results, since you have a map and guide that will direct your financial expenses on Christmas.
1. Stick with your Budget
Do not be an impulsive buyer and do not change your plans not unless that would mean a decrease to your budget allocation. If you feel that your choices of gifts would exceed on your expected cost, then cross them out and continue to shop around and hop for the right item.
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