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'Tis the Season....to be BROKE!

It happens every time...each year when the holiday season rolls around and we don’t have enough money, we resolve that next year, it will be different — we will have enough money saved up to spend for the holidays — it won’t be this way.  But what happens?  Next year comes before we have had a chance to save any money for our holiday spending.  Below are 15  fabulous tips for holiday spending.

Budget your holiday spending.  Decide how much you can afford and stay within that budget.
Make a list and check it twice.  Come up with a gift idea and spending range for each person you want to buy for.  Make a list and stick to it.
Curb your spending.  Opt for  some low-cost, but attractive gifts.  You can still be that fabulous gift-giver without breaking the bank.
Be the early bird.  Shop before the official holiday season begins.  This will give you time to comparison shop and reap cool bargains.
Don’t be your own Santa.  You are shopping for others, NOT yourself.
Avoid frenzy spending.  Crowded starts and Christmas bargains lead to “frenzy spending”.  Avoid overspending by avoiding crowded retail days (like the day after Thanksgiving) and sticking to your shopping list. 
Plan a route.  Know where you are going and how you are going to navigate your day ahead of time.
Relax and pace yourself.  Take a deep breath and relax.  Rushing can lead to poor purchasing.
Avoid “credit facilities”.  During the holiday season, many credit card companies offer deferred billing.  If you can’t pay for it now, what makes you think you can pay for it then?
Pay with cash.  Take your budgeted amount of cash with you — when it’s gone, you should have all of your gifts.
Don’t go deeper in debt.  Avoid using your credit card to overspend.  Go on a debt diet!
Put your talents to use.  If you are the “artsy/craftsy” type, use your creative skills in making gifts for your loved ones.
Gift certificates.  These are a perfect way to manage your finances.  It gives your loved ones an opportunity to pick out exactly what they want.
Plan for next year.  Discipline yourself to save.  Take advantage of a Christmas Club account.
Give your best.  Don’t be stressed by your lack of finances.  Make memories and spend time with your loved ones.

“No one can serve two masters.  Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.  You cannot serve both God and money.”   Matthew 6:24

I'm just sayin',


Comments

Chris Barnette said…
good advice Benita :-) I use a lot of those tips, especially setting a limit and shopping early. I usally spent 5$ on mens gifts and 10$ tops for women. You would be surpised what you can get on sale with those limits, I also shop through out the year and look for stuff on clearance. Hey when you have over 20 people to shop for you gotta be frugal lol. Also get itune gift cards (they are on sale for B friday) for the teenagers and look at the sales papers for other cheap stuff..Good stuff I hope everyone remembers to keep Christ in Christmas :-)
Tuesday, November 16, 2010 11:07:00 AM
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