6 tips to guaranteed Christmas savings
There are only 3 or 4 paydays until Christmas!
It may seem too early to be talking about Christmas, but in reality the festive period is pay days away. In fact, now is the perfect time for us as customers to start thinking ahead about Christmas finances to avoid falling into a post-Christmas financial black hole. More than half of the British public admit they have to make cutbacks in January to pay off any outstanding debts from Christmas - 6% are still paying for it now. Crazy, right?
Have you started to prepare for the holiday season? It may be time to start thinking about how best to save money and beat those January blues. Here are our 6 tips on how to save and have fun doing it.
1. Spread out your expenses
The countdown has begun, it’s time to get shopping, but if you start your Christmas shopping early and spread the expense out throughout the months, you won’t feel the blow come December. The average person would need to put aside around £96 a month, starting in August – if they wanted to cover the cost of Christmas through savings. So, we are already behind! Let’s get to it. Each week buy 1 to 3 items and put them away. It’s the perfect way to beat stress and maintain a steady bank account this year.
2. Set your budget and don't stray
Remember to stick to the plan this year, decide on a budget overall or decide on a budget per person. Whether you are spending £5 or £500 this Christmas, once you know your limits, it becomes harder to stray. The idea of setting a budget means that you are making a decision on how much you will spend on gifts and therefore you will avoid last minute impulse buys.
The iTunes app Better Christmas List allows you to track your spending as you shop.
3. Make a list and check it twice
Remember, you are Santa! You’re providing the gifts, so make a list and check it twice. Only buy what you have planned to buy and who you need to buy for. Before you go into each store, check back with the list and only go in for those items. It makes it harder to buy random items if you have already created a rational Christmas gifts list.
4. Start stocking your stockings early
I can’t stress this enough, starting as early as you can means that you won’t even notice the dent in your bank account. For next year, try picking up one present a month. It’s affordable and makes for a stress free December.
As for now, It's the end of summer and the sales are on – get buying. The other major benefit to starting your Christmas shopping early is that you will have more time to shop for the best deals.
5. Free personalised messages from Santa
If you have kids, make this year extra special with these freebies:
Get a personalised video message from Santa - sign up now for 2014 a free letter from Father Christmas - send their wish list to Santa through Royal Mail and receive a letter back. It’s pretty good, right? The kids love it and you are 1 free gift up.
6. Start making gifts rather than spending
We spend hundreds during the festive months, instead, why not try making presents for your family and friends? I like to use Pinterest for ideas - get an idea here. Just don’t leave it too late, I’ve tried some of these and my creative skills have failed me in the past. It is however, really fun and could mean a large saving if you pull it off.
And for a tip for Christmas 2015, stock up on your Christmas cards, wrapping paper, crackers etc. this January, they are always in the sale just after Christmas, stock up in the sales this year and make next year even cheaper.
For Christmas party ideas check www.christmasofficeparty.co.uk
