The holiday season is in full swing and I don’t know about you but it sure is expensive if you let it be. According to a recent survey by Mobilicity, 58 per cent of Canadians say they spend more than they should during the holidays which is why I want to share the following with you.
5 Tips To Avoid Overspending This Holiday Season
- Coupons are your friend. Even at this time of year coupons are your best friend. Use them and save money you don’t need to spend. When shopping online make sure to do a search of discount codes for whatever site you are buying from.
- Have a list and stick to it. I am bad at this one. I see something super cute and think “Oh Big Brother would love that”. It isn’t on his wish list nor is it on my buy list yet I end up buying it. Next thing I know I got way too many gifts to wrap Christmas Eve and my kids are overwhelmed Christmas morning.
- Take advantage of free shipping. Many sites offer free shipping if you order over a certain amount. Take advantage of this offer. I have been known to buy an extra $3 item to save the $25 shipping fee I would be hit with.
- Don’t put it on the credit card. It is so easy to put all your Christmas purchases on credit cards. However this leaves you with a crazy amount of debt and regret in the new year. My 1 rule with shopping is if I don’t have the cash I don’t buy it. Even when using my credit card online, as soon as I make the purchase I put the cash on the credit card to cover it.
- Shop the sales. Many stores will start running midnight madness sales this week. I always make sure to attend the events that have the items still missing off my list.
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Disclaimer: Content courtesy of Mobilicity, Canada’s smart mobile carrier. Find out how to avoid a holiday shopping hangover and reduce your monthly spending all year round with unlimited data, talk and text, without contracts and hidden fees at Mobilicity.ca. Now that’s smart!
All very smart ideas!!!
We also price comparison between stores – the first store you find something at isn’t always the cheapest!
My top tip is to buy things that can truly be used and appreciated. Sometimes we just buy stuff because it’s presented to us as a “great gift” but it’s a total waste of money if the recipient won’t use it.
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Jonnie (JB) recently posted..Ice Age: Continental Drift – Fun For The Whole Family (Review and Activity Sheets)
Try not to spend, or as you do always put something away in savings as well.
I shop when there are sales
Always shop in the evening, so I can take my time and price match items I’ve seen in the flyers.
Luckily I don’t really like shopping, but if I do shop I look for sales.
AlwaysARedhead recently posted..Children, funerals, life
Have an Anti-Xmas Christmas in stead of spending all you money on your family buy a small gift for the children under 15 spend all your time making memories with your family and friends.
Top tip for saving money is to buy Christmas decorations after Christmas for the following year. Deep discounts.
A smart one you are.
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The Bipolar Diva recently posted..What The Hell Was I Thinking?
Packing lunch! You dont know how much money you save. In sandwiches just make sure you split your veggies and it wont get soggy.
Do your shopping as early as possible, price match against competitors to get yourself the best value and scope out deals on deal forums before you decide to purchase something
Use any giftcards you may have to help save money!
Buy during boxing day
shop only at stores with sales
Shop early and take advantage of any sales/coupons/giveaways/contests that you come across.
Saving money by trying to watch out for sales and purchase them at that time if you can. We all want to save money.
silverneon2000 at yahoo dot com
My top tip is to shop on boxing day for gifts and Christmas decorations for the following year. Almost everything is on sale and decorations are dirt cheap
stay within budget. If you don’t have the money now, you prob won’t have the money later either and trying to pay off a cc when you don’ t have the funds is not something you want to teach your kids. Kids NEED to know there are limits to your income or they will be cc abusers too
I check flyers and go online for prices and try to get the best deal
We price comparison between stores and online, while shopping online I look for free shipping too
Coupons and shopping early! I try to stockpile all year long
And hit the after Christmas sales this year for teacher’s gifts, etc next year!
Delay and shopping you can by waiting until just after Christmas to get the Sales!
Make a list first, then work around that. Don’t go into a store “blind”–you’ll get caught up in the frenzy, and buy impulsively.
My best tip worked great for me this year. I planned approx. 3 months in advance to find out what was on everyone’s ‘wanted’ list for Christmas and then I spent a fair bit of time online researching the products and the best prices. I know I saved a ton of money this year simply by giving myself the time to research. No last minute shopping for me.
Shop early, compare prices (dont just take the first deal that looks good) and have a plan. Dont just wing it.
Shop early and buy when on sale, don’t go overboard and stick to your budget