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Frugal Christmas Tips | Christmas help low income families

How To Save Money During the Holidays

It seems that each year, the holidays bring not only fun and family gathering but they bring financial stress as well.

To head off this stress, it is a good idea to plan a Christmas budget now during the fall months, so that when the holiday shopping is in full swing, you won't be stressing out over overspending.

There are many categories of holiday purchases that we all make every year. It is a good idea to make your holiday budget comprehensive enough to include all the ways that you spend money on holiday preparations and Christmas related purchases.

Here are a few ideas about how to set up your Christmas Budget | Christmas help low income families

Start early - ideally you should start in January for each holiday season. Many of us don't think about Christmas that early. If you are like most of us, October is when we start to think about the winter holidays.

If you do start early, you can take advantage of those after Christmas sales to make purchases of holiday stables like ornaments, gift-wrap, and party supplies.

Make sure you sock some holiday savings away each month throughout the year so that you can have a Christmas Spending account that won't dig into your regular household account during the holidays.

The last thing you want is to take money away from paying your monthly bills in order to buy presents.

You can open a Christmas Club account at most financial institutions including credit unions that you can designate an amount such as $25, or $50 to come out of your paycheck each month and deposited into this Christmas fund. You can even set up auto-transfer for each pay period.

Shop for Christmas year-round. There are many sales events that you can take advantage of throughout the year, saving you money.

Make up a master-shopping list for Christmas that includes each person you need to buy gifts for along with some gift ideas. Keep this in your wallet or purse all year, so that you can refer to it while passing sales items.

Don't forget about the values you can find online. You can comparison-shop to discover what stores have the best deals.

When actually making purchases online, don't forget to take shipping into consideration when comparison-shopping for price.

Major stores will often have Internet discounts that are just for their online customers, so check Websites of stores that you frequent most often for these deals.

Save money by baking or making presents for relatives who may appreciate the extra thoughtfulness of these personal gifts.

There may be some people on your list who really do not need or want more "things", but may be happy with the gift of time (running errands for them, or doing yard work, or household chores).

Keep a pocket notebook handy all year and jot down in it whenever someone mentions something they need, or something they see that they would like.

When you notice sales events of these items you can then purchase them at a savings.

This handy notebook will also assure you that you are indeed buying gifts that the recipients will truly enjoy getting.

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Tips to Create a Christmas Budget

Whether you’re on a tight budget this year or you’re just trying to be more conservative with your spending, it’s smart to create a Christmas budget.

Budgets put you in control of your spending. They can make the holiday season much less stressful.

Additionally, they help you communicate your spending goals and limits with your other family members. Here are four tips to help you create a Christmas Budget.

#1 Create a list of expenses. One of the reasons the holidays can get so expensive is because there are unforeseen expenses that pop up.

For example, all of a sudden you’re doing a secret Santa thing at work, or your children are doing one in their classroom. Maybe you forget to add your child’s teacher or the babysitter to the gift list.

Or maybe you’re invited to a holiday party and need to bring a hostess gift. Creating a list of expenses forces you to think through all of the possibilities.

And if you create a category and don’t actually use the money, you can always put it back in the bank or transfer it to another category.

#2 Make it official. It’s tempting to just draft a budget in pencil on a piece of notebook paper and consider the task of budgeting accomplished.

However, half of the benefit of a budget is as a tracking tool. You’re likely going to lose that piece of notebook paper, spill coffee on it or just toss it.

When you make it official you’re ensuring that you’re more likely to stick to that budget. It’s worth it; debt isn’t fun.

Create a spreadsheet or a special notebook if you really do love the pen and paper idea. There are also handy budgeting worksheets available online. Create a formal budget and a system to track your spending so you can stay on top of your money and in control.

#3 How much can you afford? Once you’ve found a system and created a list of expenses, you can start allocating the money you have to spend to each category.

This is often the frustrating aspect of a budget, because we feel there just isn’t enough. There is enough and you’ll feel better staying on budget - promise.

If necessary, get creative. When you budget you may realize that you’re going to have to make your holiday cards. Great!

You may also realize that instead of buying your child that new computer, they’re going to get a used one. No problem - really, it isn’t. Budgeting helps you focus on where and what you can spend.

Be creative, accommodate your finances and don’t judge yourself. If you find you’re dreadfully short on funds, brainstorm a way to make a bit more cash. Sell stuff on eBay or do some freelance work. You can do it!

#4 Track your spending. No budget is effective without actually tracking your spending. Keep your receipts and enter your spending daily.

This is the only way you’re going to control your cash. Get everyone on board and create a central location for receipts. Show each family member involved in holiday spending the system you’ve set up to track expenses.

Creating a holiday budget is smart. Once the season is past and you don’t have any debt, you’ll be committed to creating a Christmas budget each and every year. It’s that effective!

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Save Money on Christmas Gifts

There’s no doubt we spend a lot of money at Christmas time. As a matter of fact, a quarter of all personal spending in the United States is done during the holiday season.

As families grow so does the gift list and our Christmas budget can get out of hand. But, there are ways to save and cut back on your gift giving without looking like a scrooge.

Remember, it’s the thought that counts. We should be celebrating the real meaning of the season. Right?

Well, that’s a hard sell at times to children but with creative planning coupled with imagination, your gifts will be appreciated and you can avoid going into holiday debt.

Celebrate Christmas all year long especially where buying gifts is concerned. Make a gift list early in the year and when you do your everyday shopping you’re sure to stumble onto the perfect gift for someone on your list.

It may even be on sale or on special. Two for one clearance deals can double your shopping fun. Huge savings can be found right after Christmas so constantly be on the lookout. No last minute shopping for you.

Scan sales flyers and clip coupons. You probably already do this but this year keep gift giving in mind too. Try to use coupons in combination with sale prices and save even more.

Sign up for department stores newsletters through the mail or online to keep on top of sales. Newsletters many times include special offers and discounts.

Shop the Internet. Here you can compare prices not only online but how they compare with your local stores. Usually, when you buy online you don’t pay sales tax and many times shipping is free. The gas savings is another plus.

Carpool with a friend when you’re going shopping. This not only saves fuel but you can exchange ideas on what to give and where to go. Make gift buying fun instead of a obligatory chore.

Don’t forget to shop the Dollar Stores and the 99 Cent Stores. No one has to know what you spent on the gift.

Yard and garage sales are great places to find that perfect treasure for a fraction of the cost. And, many items are new, in their original package and unopened.

But, the item doesn’t have to be new. With a little clean up and fix up it can look new. Or, maybe you’ll be lucky enough to find an antique that just needs a coat of polish.

Regifting is a practice that’s gaining in popularity. Yes, many people do it and you can too.

No need leaving that gift you received years ago in the closet gathering dust. Dust it off, gift wrap it, give it to someone who can use it and you save.

If you have frequent flyer miles that are going to waste give them as a gift. Who wouldn’t enjoy a free plane ride?

Most mileage plans can also be traded for merchandise or even cash. Don’t let them expire even if you have to give them away.

Many large families nowadays draw names to keep holiday expenses in line. Some only give gifts to the children or exchange cards. Of course, personal, obviously well thought out gifts are always most appreciated.

Enjoy the holiday season but stay within your budget. It will be a happier new year if it starts debt free.

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