subject: Have A Great Christmas Without Spending a Fortune [print this page] Have A Great Christmas Without Spending a Fortune
As the holidays approach we are bombarded with commercials of the latest 'must haves'. Kids start making their lists that seem to be filled with expensive, electronic gadget and then there are the decorations! When does it end? It seems that the holidays get more expensive every year! It doesn't have to cost a fortune to have a wonderful holiday season. You can have a great time spending less money on gifts and more time with friends and family. Of course you will want to get everyone gifts, but do you really have to overspend? Here are some ideas to help you make the most of your Christmas shopping dollar. First of all, set a budget and stick to it. This seems like an obvious suggestion, but with all the great deals you see in the malls it is easy to get distracted and spend. Have a total amount you plan to spend and then break it down by family and individual. Decide in advance how much you will spend on neighbors and coworkers as well. Do your homework. Make a list of the things you are looking for and then check prices at several online stores. You will have an idea of how much the items cost before you hit the big Black Friday sales. Often times you can find something for less online, even with shipping. On the flip side, many brick and mortar stores want to keep your business so they match the online prices you found. Shop early. People who wait until the week before Christmas to begin shopping are at the mercy of the merchants. Sure you can still find some good deals, but many of the hot ticket items are hard to find and high priced. Wise shoppers start early - even beginning in the summer months. This practice not only helps you find the gifts you want at the price you want, but it also helps to spread the spending over a longer period so you don't feel the pinch as much. Start a Christmas fund. Many banks and credit unions offer Christmas Club accounts. You can add money to it throughout the year, but the money is frozen until November 1st. This is really good for people who find it hard to save money for the holidays. Check your bank to see if this is an option. Do away with neighborhood and office gifts. Every holiday season we all get a pile of gifts from neighbors and coworkers. We want to remember these people, but what if the office or neighborhood did a collection for the needy instead of exchanging gifts? Everyone can donate money to a common cause and then have a potluck holiday party instead of exchanging gifts. The holiday season was never meant to be a time of stress. It is a time to enjoy being with the people you love, not worry about how you will pay for their gifts. Enjoy the gift of good company and your holiday season will be filled with joy!
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