Holidays on a Budget

From Halloween to the Super Bowl—family and friends gather, and there is usually food and sometimes gifts involved.  This can be hard on your waistline and your checking account!  Statistics speculate that the average household spends over $1600 during the holidays.  This year finds many families struggling financially, and adding the holidays to their load shouldn’t put them over the top.  With a few simple tips, you can enjoy your holiday traditions, and keep yourself out of debt in January!

 

First, look at your family traditions.  What is really important to you?  Do you have to have extravagant meals and give everyone you come in contact with a gift?  You may want to share a meal with the family and have everyone bring their favorite dishes.  Also, drawing names for family gifts will decrease the number of gifts you may need to purchase.  Shop with cash, and leave your credit card at home so you are not tempted to spend more than your budget.

 

I find that shopping sales and purchasing things ahead of time helps save a LOT of money.  I start shopping for next year’s Halloween party things this year.  When things are discounted at 90%, they are really inexpensive—and I already know that someone will need plates, napkins and goody bags.   I store them with the Halloween decorations so I don’t lose them—and have saved a bundle!  This works with Christmas gifts too!  If someone you know really wants gardening equipment, looks for the sales in the early fall.  It’s all about timing.

 

Shopping for food ahead of time may not be the best thing to do—but watching the sales is!  Turkey is always really inexpensive right before Thanksgiving.  The prices per pound is the cheapest—so purchase more than one and freeze it for later in the year.  There are always sales on staples needed for big meals (stuffing, potatoes, etc…) and for baking.  Stock up early.  I start purchasing a few baking supplies every week starting in October.  This spreads out the cost, and then I can also start baking for the holidays and freezing my goodies, so I am not rushed closer to Christmas.

 

Finally—you don’t have to spend a lot of money to have a great time.  Looking at Christmas lights with the family, than returning to have hot cocoa is very enjoyable—and cheap.  Think outside of the box to do things that you may not have done before—you may find a new tradition!  Happy holidays!