Christmas Money-Saving Tips

Not for nothing is it sometimes referred to as the silly season, so if you don’t want to stretch your finances this Christmas, here are a few Christmas tips to help you stay focused.

Repeat after me: Bah Humbug:

This is by far the simplest way of avoiding any Christmas expense. Show zero sign of any Christmas spirit, and start growling at any diminutive relatives who look at you with twinkly expectant eyes. It’s also a great way of keeping them at bay for the rest of the year as well, if not for ever.

If that Christmas tip seems a little extreme (can’t see why it would), then you may want to have a quiet word with your closer relatives and explain that there should be a cap on spending for family members. As great as soap-on-a-rope and bath salts can be, seeing as they will only sit festering at the back of the medicine cabinet for years to come, you may as well buy cheap ones. A better bet might be to agree that no one above a certain age needs presents. Nor money. It is pointless handing $10 bills to nephews and nieces, only to have your brother or sister hand identical notes back to your kids. Far better that you tell your sibling you will give money to your kids, and they can give to theirs, then on Christmas Day apologise quietly to your kids for the lack of cash gifts and explain that Uncle Bob and Auntie Maureen have been really miserly this year. Savings all round and no comeback.

One Of The Best Christmas Tips You Get – Save up:

If you do insist on spoiling your relatives, a good Christmas tip is to try saving up throughout the year. Have a little Christmas fund, so that there is no sudden search for cash, and no repeat offending with the credit card. Make sure you draw up a budget and a gift list, so you do not find yourself making expensive impulse buys.

Plastic not fantastic:

Be very careful using your credit card at Christmas time. The hangover from plastic abuse in the silly season can last the rest of the year. A Christmas tip that could save you hundreds of dollars is to start looking for gifts early on the internet, where you can find the best deals and use your credit card unaffected by all the glittery high street encouragements to spend. Timely online purchases are especially useful to avoid heading out at 10.30pm on Christmas Eve with an armed and dangerous credit card to see what delights the 24-hour petrol station can offer your relatives for the following morning.

Travelling:

You don’t have to jet abroad to see the relatives every year. If there is some distance between family members, make a rota so you’re not the one who is always stumping up for airline tickets. The only one flying this season should be Santa.

Working:

If you are working a part-time or temporary job this Christmas, check out your entitlement to super contributions from your employer to boost your long-term savings. That was a dull point.

Seeing red:

The colour red can appear on Santa suits, Robins’ breasts (the feathered birds), Christmas tree baubles, and many other festive locations. The place you don’t want to see it is in your bank account. The best Christmas tip is to stay in the black this season and spend within your means. Bear in mind that the New Year rolls around with frightening speed. A week beyond Christmas Day and it’s all pretty much forgotten. Is it really worth messing up your finances for months just for the sake of a few smiles on one day?

As I said: Bah humbug.

Related posts:

1. Budget Your Christmas Money and Enjoy a stress-free holiday!
2. 24 Tips On How To Manage Your Christmas Credit Card Debt
3. How To Survive Christmas With Your Card
4. Christmas 2009 Credit Card Tips
5. How To Avoid Overspending On Your Credit Card Over The Christmas Holidays

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