For many winter holidays may be the “most wonderful time of the year,” but that doesn’t mean they don’t bring their share of stress. Among those list of stressors can be shopping for gifts, especially if your budget is already tight!
Don’t worry, we’ve compiled a list of tips to help make holiday shopping easier on your bank account this season.
1. Make a budget
Before you begin any shopping, it’s important to make a budget. Your budget should include how much income you are expecting to make, and all of your important expenses. Make sure all of your bills and other regular priorities are covered first. While it may be tempting, don’t shop for gifts you can’t afford by going into debt.
2. Plan your gifts to fit that budget
Once you know how much money you have to spend on gifts, it’s time to start planning. It’s important to prioritize who you plan to shop for and what you want to get. Also keep in mind that if your budget is tight, you can keep it simple. Save your spending for your closest family or friends. If you have a big family, maybe pitch the idea of secret Santa so you all only have to buy for one person. And don’t feel pressured to spend for every holiday party.
3. Shop early for deals
The earlier you start shopping, the easier it will be to shop for a deal. You will not feel rushed by the pressure of last minute to spend more than you budget, and you can have time to hunt for a bargain. Depending on what you are looking for, you may be able to find used items on Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Craigslist, or thrift stores. You also can check different bargain stores like Target, Walmart, Big Lots, and TJ Maxx, just to name a few. The more time you have, the more you’ll be able to compare prices and make sure you get the most bang for your buck.
4. Shop alone
While it’s fun to shop with friends, it can also lead to more careless spending, especially if they aren’t as budget conscious as you. Friends even with the best of intentions may make suggestions like “Oh this would really look good on you!” and before you know it you are buying yourself things you don’t need.
5. Pay in cash
If you bring cash to a story you’ll be less likely to overspend. This can be a really effective tool to keep you accountable to that budget you made.
6. DIY gifts
You don’t have to be super crafty to make a few gifts yourself. This can be a great option, especially for people you really want to give a gift to but don’t have a big budget, like teachers, coworkers, and other important people in your circles.
