Have a Merry Christmas Without Breaking Your Budget

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Mr William Hauselberg has 1120 Published Articles

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Have a Merry Christmas Without Breaking Your Budget

Posted On : Nov-15-2012 | seen (810) times | Article Word Count : 678 |

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year . . . unless your budget is tight. Christmas, family and money are the trio of stressors during the holiday season.

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year . . . unless your budget is tight. Christmas, family and money are the trio of stressors during the holiday season. However, budgeting and saving for Christmas is possible even on the tightest of budgets. It simply needs to be planned.

Making a List, Checking It Twice

Nobody wants to think about Christmas in August, but that is the perfect time to begin planning. Make a list of the people who will receive a gift and determine a price for each gift. Then, set aside $10.00 to $20.00 each week to spend on those gifts. It is easier to keep that money in an envelope marked “gifts” so it is not used on other items. When you do go shopping for gifts, if there is money left over, it should be returned to the envelope to help with the next shopping trip.

Start Shopping Early When Possible

There are those who would rather shop for Christmas gifts all at once, setting aside an entire day for marathon shopping. However, it is hard to find a whole day to go shopping, and waiting until the last minute to buy for everyone can be more stressful. It is easy to think of the perfect gift for someone, but difficult to find it the week before Christmas. Since people shop every week for groceries and other necessities, taking the gift list when shopping for regular everyday items saves time and money in the long run.

Use the Internet to Shop

eBay and online wholesalers offer many new products at a fraction of the cost. Students and parents have taken to listing brand new items such as iPods, clothing and other items on the Internet both as a way to make money for the holidays and also to clear their house. Even some of the used items are in like-new condition.

Many stores also offer online-only sales and discounts, sometimes with free shipping. Some national chains start Black Friday sales at 12:01 a.m. on the Internet, so people can get the same sales price without having to leave their house.

Gift certificates are another great way to save money. There are several online sites that offer gift certificates at a reduced price of the face value. A $100.00 spa day could cost only $50.00 if purchased online. Adult children can also create a gift certificate for their parents with “services” such as dinner together at their favorite restaurant or cleaning services for elderly parents. This promises the parents time with their busy adult children, which is the true gift.

Holiday Items Are Cheaper on December 24

Christmas Eve is the deadline for both shoppers and retailers. In the retail world, if it isn’t sold by December 24, there is little chance of it selling at all. This is especially true of specialty retailers whose inventory is specific to the holiday. You’re more likely to get a discounted tree if you wait until the day before Christmas. Many stores are also starting their clearance sales on decorations a couple days before Christmas.

Shop After-Holiday Clearance Sales

Sometimes the best gift is found after the holiday. Wrapping paper and other decorations are also cheaper when purchased during the clearance sales. However, it is important to pay attention to the pricing. While the after-holiday sales may seem tempting, sometimes the “sales” are not the best deals.

Exchange Gifts After Christmas

Getting together with family and friends during the holidays is fun and exciting, but sometimes budgeting and saving for the holidays is easier when the deadline is pushed back. Talk to extended family and friends about gathering on Little Christmas (January 6) instead. This allows enough time between gatherings to buy, return or exchange, and take advantage of clearance sales.

These are only a few ways to balance family and money during the holiday season. By using these helpful tips, you can have a merry Christmas without breaking your budget.

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<h1>Have a Merry Christmas Without Breaking Your Budget</h1> Author: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/profile_Mr William Hauselberg.aspx'>Mr William Hauselberg</a> Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year . . . unless your budget is tight. Christmas, family and money are the trio of stressors during the holiday season. However, budgeting and saving for Christmas is possible even on the tightest of budgets. It simply needs to be planned.

Making a List, Checking It Twice

Nobody wants to think about Christmas in August, but that is the perfect time to begin planning. Make a list of the people who will receive a gift and determine a price for each gift. Then, set aside $10.00 to $20.00 each week to spend on those gifts. It is easier to keep that money in an envelope marked “gifts” so it is not used on other items. When you do go shopping for gifts, if there is money left over, it should be returned to the envelope to help with the next shopping trip.

Start Shopping Early When Possible

There are those who would rather shop for Christmas gifts all at once, setting aside an entire day for marathon shopping. However, it is hard to find a whole day to go shopping, and waiting until the last minute to buy for everyone can be more stressful. It is easy to think of the perfect gift for someone, but difficult to find it the week before Christmas. Since people shop every week for groceries and other necessities, taking the gift list when shopping for regular everyday items saves time and money in the long run.

Use the Internet to Shop

eBay and online wholesalers offer many new products at a fraction of the cost. Students and parents have taken to listing brand new items such as iPods, clothing and other items on the Internet both as a way to make money for the holidays and also to clear their house. Even some of the used items are in like-new condition.

Many stores also offer online-only sales and discounts, sometimes with free shipping. Some national chains start Black Friday sales at 12:01 a.m. on the Internet, so people can get the same sales price without having to leave their house.

Gift certificates are another great way to save money. There are several online sites that offer gift certificates at a reduced price of the face value. A $100.00 spa day could cost only $50.00 if purchased online. Adult children can also create a gift certificate for their parents with “services” such as dinner together at their favorite restaurant or cleaning services for elderly parents. This promises the parents time with their busy adult children, which is the true gift.

Holiday Items Are Cheaper on December 24

Christmas Eve is the deadline for both shoppers and retailers. In the retail world, if it isn’t sold by December 24, there is little chance of it selling at all. This is especially true of specialty retailers whose inventory is specific to the holiday. You’re more likely to get a discounted tree if you wait until the day before Christmas. Many stores are also starting their clearance sales on decorations a couple days before Christmas.

Shop After-Holiday Clearance Sales

Sometimes the best gift is found after the holiday. Wrapping paper and other decorations are also cheaper when purchased during the clearance sales. However, it is important to pay attention to the pricing. While the after-holiday sales may seem tempting, sometimes the “sales” are not the best deals.

Exchange Gifts After Christmas

Getting together with family and friends during the holidays is fun and exciting, but sometimes budgeting and saving for the holidays is easier when the deadline is pushed back. Talk to extended family and friends about gathering on Little Christmas (January 6) instead. This allows enough time between gatherings to buy, return or exchange, and take advantage of clearance sales.

These are only a few ways to balance family and money during the holiday season. By using these helpful tips, you can have a merry Christmas without breaking your budget.
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Keywords : family and money, budgeting and saving,

Category : Finance : Finance

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