How to Holiday Shop on a Budget

Holiday shopping can be expensive. Some families spend thousands of dollars in December alone and then use the remaining 11 months to pay themselves back. Here are some tips to help you enjoy your holiday shopping while not maxing out your budget.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Write a list. Who are you shopping for? What will you gift them? Then think if this is someone who you really need to give a holiday gift to. It's OK to be giving around the holidays, but it's also OK to give holiday cards to most of your acquaintances and purchase gifts only for your loved ones.
2. Set a budget and stick to it. Spend a little less per person than you did last year. It's not the price tag that counts but the love and thoughtfulness of the gift.
3. Cut back on spending before the holiday season arrives. Minimize dining out, grocery shopping, clothing purchases, etc. Even just cutting back on the small things, like one less Starbucks each week, can help you save up a little extra holiday cash. Cut back now to spend later.
4. Take advantage of holiday deals and steals. Retail stores go crazy with sales right before the holidays to rack up customer spending. To avoid crowds, shop online. Most stores also offer great sales and free shipping online around the holidays.
5. Collaborate on gifts. If you go in on a gift with someone else, you can purchase something more expensive, while still sticking to your budget.
6. Once your holiday shopping has started to dwindle down, pay back your credit cards. Some people spend the entire year paying back their holiday debt, allowing interest to build up and spending unnecessary money. Pay yourself back as soon as is possible.