How To Budget For The Holidays
We know the holiday season can be a bittersweet balancing act of indulgence, calorie-counting, gift-giving, and budgeting. You and your family may love those things, but your bank account may not.
Shop Online
The retail price of online products is almost always less than what you would pay in-store. Stop by your favorite retail stores to test out those expensive gifts, then head over to an online marketplace, where you can purchase the same product for less. We recommend snagging a free 30-day trial of Amazon Prime, where you can get free 2-day shipping on all your orders.
Stretch out the Shopping Season
If you already know your gift-giving list will be big this season, then take advantage of the weeks (if not months) before your holiday celebration. Shop for one or two gift recipients per week to avoid having to shell out of an overblown wallet just a few days before the holiday hits. If you’re not quite ready to jump into the retail mania so early in the season, consider setting aside a designated amount of shopping money each paycheck to ensure your budget is comfortable later on.
Shop the Sales
This one may seem like a given – but don’t just stop at the clearance racks! A lot of stores have 48-hour sales before the holidays with extreme markdowns on things like electronics, kitchenware, or clothes. Do some research to find out when your go-to stores are having limited-time sales and be prepared to get there early for the best door-buster deals. Check out this site to browse upcoming sale ads for retail stores near you.
