Income and Investments How to Tackle Holiday Debt Before It Begins Read the Article Open Share Drawer Share this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window) Written by Ginita Wall Published Nov 27, 2018 - [Updated Jan 9, 2019] 2 min read As the air turns crisp and the leaves change color, you realize that the holidays are right around the corner. If you’re planning to celebrate this year, here are some ways to have a great time this holiday season without breaking the bank. Budget: You knew I was going to start with the “B” word, didn’t you? As spontaneous and loving as we all like to be during the holidays, an enjoyable season starts with planning. Figure out how much you can spend this year, and don’t forget to include entertaining, decorations, cards, gifts travel costs and year-end tips to service providers. Make a list (and check it twice): Saint Nick is making his list, and so should you, with the names of everyone you want to give a gift to, how much of your gift budget you can spend on each, and some ideas of what gifts might fit that budget. You should continue to reference this list and keep it as a living hub that you can reference as you shop or make notes to compare prices. Give from the heart: The holidays aren’t about buying the latest great electronics. Put joy into the holidays by sharing your love and creating memories that will easily outlast whatever is sitting under the tree. It’s not too late to make something handmade, be it a knitted scarf, a handicraft, or cookies and fudge. Or give a promise for the new year – coupons good for a garage clean-out, babysitting, a catered home cooked meal, a special scrapbook, or even the Hug-of-the-Month club can bring a smile to someone’s face and joy to their heart. Compare prices: Don’t just assume that you are getting the best deal on Black Friday, or that the latest advertised sale price from your go-to department store is a bargain. Download a price comparison app to quickly and easily find great deals on everything you’re already planning to buy. Buy one big gift for the family: Kids love getting and opening gifts, so the more presents the better. You can stretch your holiday budget by buying smaller, lower cost gifts such as candy, books, and inexpensive toys. Use the money you save to buy that one big thing your kids have been begging for that will make their holiday unforgettable. Use credit cards wisely: If you haven’t saved enough to pay for all your holiday expenses, it’s OK to use a credit card as long as you have a plan for paying it off. Try not to run up more debt than you can pay off in a few months, so you don’t find yourself piling next year’s holiday spending on top of this year’s debt. The best present you can give yourself is a debt-free future. Previous Post How to Save Money on Halloween with DIY Next Post How to Protect Your Credit During the Holiday Season Written by Ginita Wall More from Ginita Wall Leave a ReplyCancel reply Browse Related Articles Income and Investments 5 Ways to Avoid Going Into Holiday Debt Tax Planning How to Save on Your Holiday Décor Tax Tips 5 Ways to Celebrate The Holidays Without Blowing Your B… Tax Planning How to Save Before the Holiday Season is Here Income and Investments Get a Jump on Holiday Shopping with Black Friday Saving… Income and Investments A Budget Friendly DIY Festivus for the Rest of Us Tax Planning Happy Posada! 9 Ways to Host While on a Holiday Budget Tax Planning How to Spend Your Week on a $40 Budget Income and Investments DIY Patriotism: Your 4th of July on a Budget Income and Investments Planning Tips to Save Money on Your Wedding