![]() ![]() If you need to say no to something – do it! There’s a lot of pressure to attend every single Christmas party you’re invited to, but you’re not obligated to do anything that isn’t in your best interests. Pull out a notebook, jot down your plans, and try your best to estimate how much money each will cost. Food and booze for holiday parties, new outfits for social gatherings, and even transport and accommodation are all expenses that can easily pile up at this time of year. When planning your Christmastime budget, I recommend budgeting for more than gifts alone. By allocating a certain sum of money to the holidays and staying within that range, you’ll not only enjoy the money you do spend – you’ll also be helping your future self feel finically secure for the new year ahead. I know it might sound drab, but trust me when I say that budgeting is key to empowered spending. If you do, consider whether these are areas where you could cut back to save for the holiday season ahead. ![]() Once you’ve got them laid out in front of you, it’s time to pick up a highlighter and highlight anything that wasn’t essential. Do you really need all of those subscription services? How regularly do you actually use your gym membership? Can you make coffee in the morning instead of buying an oat cappuccino on your way to work? If you’re not sure where you’re overspending, try printing out three months of bank statements. While I’m not advocating for skimping on bills and rent (those are essential, after all), I do think that there are a few areas we could all use to cut back on. While it might sound like a huge undertaking, cutting out some non-essential expenses can help you save more than you’d imagine. If you don’t have a chunk of change set aside already, however, don’t be dissuaded. But realistically, most people don’t do that. If I could go back in time, I would rewind to last year and tell past you to start setting aside some money for holiday spending. 3 tips for smart spending during the holidays 1. ![]() To keep you on track like the fiscally responsible individual I know you can be, I’m sharing my top three tips for smart spending during the holidays. As few and far between as they may be, however, we could all take a few notes from those who push pause on the holiday mindset while reaching for their wallets.Īfter all, is one season of frivolity really worth the months of stress that can arise from spending beyond your means? Even when you spend with the best intentions, be it on Christmas gifts or New Year parties, digging yourself deeper into debt is NEVER a good idea. Sure, you might fall somewhere in the middle, but I’ve found that those who can spend well during the holidays are rare unicorns. On the other side of the spectrum, you might be one of those who strategically avoids any (and all) thoughts of Christmas spending, blindly tapping your card and vowing to look at the expenses later. Are you one of those people who freezes up at the mere thought of Christmas? Does the idea of gift shopping send you spiralling, dreading the toll it’ll take on your wallet? ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |