While it may like yesterday that the air conditioner was blasting, the beaches were packed, and the kids were out of school, but as fast as those months went by, it’s already almost the end of the year, and that means one thing, the holiday shopping is about to begin, if you haven’t already. Sure, waiting until Christmas Eve to do your shopping is probably not the best time to look to save money, but by planning in advance even a little, you can watch the savings add up and hopefully get through the holidays without the burden of debt on your shoulders to start the new year.
Free Up Extra Money
If you have more money coming in than going out, or even breaking even for that matter, by the time you pay bills, save for retirement, and build up an emergency fund, that doesn’t leave much leftover anyways, let alone being able to afford gifts for your friends and family, so it means that cuts need to happen. Whether it’s ditching cable, or instead of having every meal out, you can go grocery shopping and pay a fraction of the cost for groceries that will last multiple meals. Even stopping for coffee every morning can add up quickly so you can set the timer on your coffee pot at home to be finished brewing by the time you are ready to walk out of the house.
Stick to a List
Speaking of grocery shopping, you probably have heard of those that talk about going in for milk or break and forgetting that item but filling up the trunk with bags of other items. Impulse purchases can put a damper on your finances, so whether it’s for groceries, or Christmas shopping, it’s a good idea to create a list of everything you need, and stick to it. That way you can avoid unnecessary spending when you’re out in public when it seems like everything is on sale, and you end up gifts for yourself that you didn’t need.
Find the Best Deals
Now it goes without saying, but sometimes saving money is lost around the holidays, as you are looking for specific items, typically in a short amount of time as you rush around to make sure you buy in time, but if you give yourself a little cushion, you can find the best deals and not overspend. Between sales, coupons, online promo codes, not to mention virtually an infinite number of websites you can compare prices, there should be no reason to spend top dollar when there are cheaper buying options out there.
Don’t Leave Dollars on the Table
While you’re already in the rhythm of spending money anyways, why not use a rewards card where you can earn cashback, instead of leaving the potential of free money on the table by using another debit or credit card. There is so much competition in cards for your business these days that you should have no trouble finding the card with the best rewards for you.