Holiday shopping is stressful enough. Fighting the crowds, searching for the perfect gift, time crunches and other obligations keep the tension high. Worrying about money just adds to the problem. These tips will help you enjoy the holidays and keep your budget in check.
A gift list will keep you on track and help you avoid impulse buying. Know exactly what you are looking for and commit to sticking to your plan.
Decide in advance the total amount you will spend on holiday gifts, gift wrapping, cards, postage, food and goodies. Allocate a certain amount for each category. Stop spending when you have reached your limits.
This is not the same as your spending limits. Take the amount you have set aside for gifts and make a budget for each person on your list.
You are already spending a fortune on gifts, don't add dinner out to the list. Make sure you eat at home before you shop. You won't be hungry or tempted to grab that quick bite in the food court.
Make a list of everything you want to buy in each store. Make all of those purchases in one trip. That way you won't need to go back and be tempted with impulse buys.
Save more money by making homemade gifts, shopping for vintage gifts, using brown bags instead of gift wrap and sending email greeting cards and holiday wishes.
Great tips. It helps to avoid impulse buying. H5
Great practical list, good job! H5!
The tip on making a list really struck home to me. I'm an impulse shopper so a list 'should' keep me on task...
We all need a little practical spending advice during the holiday shopping season. Thanks!
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