Plan Now for the Holidays
The holidays, and more importantly, the expenses associated with them are just around the corner. Taking these 10 steps now can keep dollars in your pocket later.
Know your challenges: Now is the time to sit down and realistically think about what your holiday obligations will be and how you are going to pay for them. For example, if this is your year to host the family dinner, start stocking up on grocery store staples as stores offer weekly sales.
Make a list and check it twice: Make a list of everyone who you will need to give a gift to or tip during the holidays. Next write the amount you think you can reasonably spend. Add them up and if the total is out of line, refine the list by lowering the amounts or shortening the list of recipients. If gift giving still looks too costly, consider other choices for neighbors and co-workers such as baked gifts. Perhaps this is the year to discuss with extended families that you draw names for a gift exchange or agree on a price range.
Going on a trip without going broke: If you know you will be going out of town, make reservations now before transportation fares and room rates go up.
It's the thought that counts: Gifts for teenagers and adults often are expensive. They would love a family heirloom that they are now responsible enough to have for their own. Set aside a quiet hour to think about the likes and dislikes of the people on your gift and you may discover something they would appreciate much more than an expensive gift from the mall.
Party with a purpose: Getting together with friends and family you haven't seen in a while is part of the joy of the holidays. Unfortunately, it is a large part of the expense as well. This year, plan in advance and suggest you all get together at a volunteering event such as stocking a food pantry or participating in a walk for charity.
It's in the cards: Go through the closets and see if you have leftover holiday cards from previous years to send to new people on your list. Look at your list and see who can receive an email greeting instead to save on both the cards of cost and postage.
Shop early: By shopping early you can take advantage of sales before the real shopping season starts. If you order by catalog, shopping early allows you to choose the least expensive shipping method which takes a little longer to reach you. Better yet, look on the website for the retailer to see if they offer free shipping.
Make it don't break it: Don't break your budget at the store. Even if you don't have an artistic bone in your body, you can put photos in an album with pockets for the photos. This may be the year to give a little of your talent and a lot of your heart as a gift they’ll treasure.
Cook up savings: Now is the time to look through your cookbooks, magazines and search the Internet for easy treats that can be baked as gifts. You can also make baking and wrapping the gifts into a great holiday activity for the entire family.
Thirty days hath September: There are 85 days between September 1 and Thanksgiving. If you save just $1 a day that would be enough to pay for a holiday dinner, office and teacher gifts or some other holiday expense.
