5 Ways to Avoid Spending too Much This Christmas Holiday

If you’re like most students, you may find yourself spending too much during the holidays especially when it’s almost Christmas. We know that money can be hard to come by when you get back to school after the holidays. It’s always worth spending less when on holiday so that you have plenty to go by when it’s back to school. We’ll share with you how to work on a shoestring budget this holiday season.

Know how much you need to spend

The first step to avoid impulse buying is to figure out how much you want to spend and on what. For instance, do you have people you’re supposed to gift this Christmas season? Write down their names and what you intend to spend on each person. If you notice that your budget is too high, start making changes by marking people off your list. Carry your budget as you make purchases to help you stay on track. Include how much you want to spend on yourself as well.

Keep an eye for good deals

With your budget in mind, you can begin shopping at the dollar stores and retailers who have Christmas offers. Look out for the buy one get one free offers, special deals on occasions like Christmas and savings on items like electronics if they are in your budget. If you are planning to spend on holiday décor and a Christmas tree, look for discount offers on these products too.

Try stores that offer layaway

Ever heard of layaway? This is a mode of shopping that allows you to put down a deposit on an item and then pay for it every day until mid-Christmas. Make sure you have adequate cash to complete the payment on time or you might risk losing all the money you’ve paid for it if you don’t pay in full. Go through each retailer’s policy before you sign up for this.

Consider an artificial tree

Christmas trees can be pretty expensive. A cheaper alternative is an artificial Christmas tree. While most people love the smell of trees and might buy one for sentimental reasons, an artificial tree can serve the same purpose. There are actually really nice artificial trees that you can use over the years. If you really want to get one at a discounted price, consider making the purchase after Dec 26 when prices have really gone down.

Ship gifts back home

Most students will avoid carrying luggage when they travel since it’s not only an inconvenience but also expensive because of the hefty baggage fees. One cost-effective way to get all the gifts you’ve received back home is to choose an affordable shipping package with any of the well-known carriers. A medium-sized box shouldn’t cost you more than $20. Be sure to compare different shipping services before you make a decision. There are of course other ways to save cash this holiday season like knowing who to tip and who not to. Work with a budget and you’ll avoid overspending this holiday.

Keep in mind the other tips of our blog.