The festive period is often the most anticipated holiday period that most people look forward to since its the time of year that we spend quality time with our families and friends, while sharing meals along with gifts. It truly is the best time of the year!
After a year of rising food and fuel prices, you might not be feeling all that excited for Christmas spending this year. Most people tend to spend way more than they should during the festive period and that often sets them back right through the new year.
Knowing how to save effectively wherever you can is essential to relieve some pressure during this time of the year. The aim is to find great bargains and start to think about your spending more smartly.
Here are a few tips to stay ahead of the busy festive period:
Get a head start
Christmas decorations and themed gifts are already up in stores and advertised online. Why not take advantage of this time and purchase your gifts or decorations now before the festive rush is in full swing.
Take the time to plan what you will need by making a list and start making those purchases early before things are out of stock. There is value to be had by purchasing pre-owned goods. Gifts and decorations can all add up fairly quickly, but you do not always have to buy everything brand new. Have a browse through Gumtree where you might just find exactly what you are looking for.
Work money smart
Working smartly with your money is key this festive period. Remember that most salaries will be paid much earlier than usual in December. Therefore, it is wise to plan ahead, making sure you are on top of your finances to avoid the much dreaded “JanuWorry blues.”
In addition to our salaries being paid much earlier, our debit orders will also be coming off earlier than usual. It is therefore best to wait for those SMSs to come off first before the real spending can begin.
Sell your unwanted
Now that we know that planning ahead is essential, why not sell those unwanted items that could be someone else’s treasure. Believe it or not, unwanted gifts like candles, clothing, jewelry, and books do sell, especially on Gumtree. This way, you would be pocketing some extra cash for those festivities.
It’s also worth remembering that most shops will also be advertising specials on a variety of products – not to mention Black Friday happening on 25 November – so make a list of what you need to buy.
To ensure you don’t overindulge, set aside an amount for gifts, groceries and personal spoils.
Also see: How to handle your finances this festive season