How to Recession Proof the Holidays

Worried about funding your holidays because of the recession? Thinking about cutting back? Well, you are not alone. CNN news reports that American consumers aren't buying food or other products like they have in the past. They are too worried about losing their jobs and, as a result, losing everything. Although this mentality is a safe one. It definitely doesn't make for a fun holiday season. Therefore, it's important to take action now and learn how to recession proof your holidays so you can enjoy them. You can do it by figuring out ways to both save money, but still spend your holidays in the usual fashion.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Potluck your holiday meals. Don't take on the burden of paying for an entire Thanksgiving or Christmas meal during a recession. Instead, you cook the turkey or the ham, but let your guests bring their favorite holiday dish. Make it fun by having a contest and awarding the person with the best cake, vegetable or potato dish with a blue ribbon. It will bring out the competition in everyone and guarantee your holiday meal will be a success.

2. Raid the local dollar store. You will be surprised to find out what kind of holiday items they sell. What should you look for? Search for the little things that usually turn into big dollars around the holiday season like additional cups and plates, gift wrapping paper and bags, tape, wreaths, ornaments, table runners and stocking stuffers. These items are the ones that always make you gasp at how much you spent at the end of a holiday season. Use the savings you get on bigger items like presents for your loved ones. It'll take away the sting of a recession because you won't be overspending on items you will only use once or twice a year.

3. Cash in your coupons. These days, stores like Safeway and Walgreen's issue their own coupons to attract repeat customers. It's their way of recession-proofing their store. The good news is that the coupons you get are based on your buying habits within the store. So before you throw away your receipts, check out what's attached to it. It most likely is a coupon for an item you normally buy. Stock up on them along with reading the Sunday newspaper and you will lessen your holiday expenses quickly. Use the extra money on the things you normally buy for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

4. Figure out your holiday budget now. List out what you plan on doing for the holiday season on paper. Then, add a dollar amount to it. Afterward, calculate out how much it will cost you to throw a festive Thanksgiving or buy all of your presents on Christmas. you still have 30 days left to gather up as much money as you can before the turkey starts to gobble. So don't wait until the last minute like you usually do. Use this time to cut back on Starbuck trips, lunch outings and excessive haircuts. Put all of the money in the bank because you won't have spent it all prior to the holidays.

5. Sell your junk on eBay. You've heard this saying before, "one man's junk is another man's treature." This premise is what drives sales on eBay. it's like a big garage sale that reaches every corner of the earth. So use it to your advantage. go out to your garage and take photos of all the things you keep, but never use. Make sure they are all in good condition. then, put them on eBay. the money make can go towards funding your holiday season and paying off any overdue bills.

Tips & Warnings

• Approach any money saving efforts you take with a light heart. If you take them too seriously, it will make anything you do feel like a chore.
• Don't focus all of your thoughts on the recession. It can lead to needless worry and self sabotage.

Resources

• How to survive a recession
• How to manage your finances during a recession
• How to deal with holiday stress

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Surprise Friends Near and Far with Fresh Teleflora Flowers. Save 15% & Same-Day Delivery Available.

[missnadine]

on 8/17/2009 These are definitely some good money saving tips. I was wondering though- if you want to recession proof your holiday, you might want to start with your saving-or holiday budget.
Moonlight Holidays offers people the option to buy vouchers (as many or little as they like) that they can collect and use to save towards their holiday as well as getting a 20% discount.
Might want to have a look at it yourself moonlight-holidays.com