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Archive for December, 2013

How to Enjoy the Holidays and Save!

December 7th, 2013 at 11:59 pm

Holidays are enjoyable, but can become expensive if you are not aware of the amount of money you are spending. It is great to have precious time with friends, relatives, and loved ones, and not be buried in debt when it is all over. Do you want to have special memorable times during the holidays, but want to do things a little bit different this year? Well, this year you can. However, it will mean preparing ahead, adjusting your routine, and choosing to give up a few conveniences. However, it will be well worth it. Below are some money saving ideas and tips that can assist you in making your holidays a little cheaper and more brighter.

Relaxed Holiday Dinners
Do without formal holiday dinners, and have an evening of appetizers, movies, and board games. Have everyone pitch in by bringing their favorite hors d'oeuvres, drinks, games, and movies. What a great way to have fellowship, food, and fun without hurting your budget.

Shop Early for Discounts
Look for airline tickets and rental cars bargains early. Use discount websites like orbitz.com, expedia.com, priceline.com, or hotwire.com. Plan early in order to get the best price and deals.

An Organized List
Organize your shopping. Come up with a shopping list using a spreadsheet. Have the person’s name, gift, and the budgeted cost. Also, be sure to have who, what, where, and how you plan to locate the present, and how much it will cost. Stay focused. By using an organized shopping list, you will discover that your holiday time will be more thought-out and less frantic as previous ones.

The Envelope System
Put the money that you intend to spend on each individual into different envelopes. When you buy a gift, the money will come from a particular envelope until it's gone.

After Christmas Shopping
After Christmas you find the best sales. Instead of paying full price for gifts before Christmas, go shopping the day after Christmas. You can save anywhere from 50-75% less for the items you want.

You really can enjoy the holidays and save money, too. The secret, plan, prepare, and get organized in advance. You will take pleasure in knowing you did not spend yourself into financial ruin.