The
Holiday Budget
|
|
Establish your overall holiday budget, including what you plan to spend on decorations and entertaining. |
|
|
Set a "$" limit on the amount anyone can spend on a gift and seek the cooperation of all to abide. |
|
|
Handy with a computer? Make family coupon books with coupons for services you are willing to provide, to be "cashed in" when the recipient needs them within a specified time period. |
|
|
Have gifts drop shipped. Most online, catalog and TV shopping companies offer this service, saving you the cost of shipping the item twice. |
|
|
If you must, take along only "1" credit card. Store the others away in your dresser until February. |
|
|
Pay cash for your purchases and avoid those hefty 19%+ interest charges. |
|
|
Avoid buying the "hottest" items of the year for your child until after Christmas or for a birthday instead. Example: When the Furby hit the market place, thousands of people spent anywhere from $100 to $2500 to purchase this toy on the internet with no guarantees of being able to return it or even get the item. (The phase was over in less than a year!) |
|
|
Savings bonds are still a good idea and will encourage a child to begin saving early. |
|
|
Give store gift cards. Purchases made during January sales will yield 30-50% more. But beware as some cards may have expiration dates. |
|
|
If time permits, don't grab the first items you see. Do some comparison shopping. You can save up to 30% if you shop smart. |
|
|
Save money on the price of cards and stamps, use the on-line free greeting cards for those of your friends and acquaintances who have email addresses. |
|
|
Have a few generic gifts on hand for those unexpected guests. They don't have to be expensive. Picture frames and crystal items can be purchased fairly inexpensively at closeout stores and flea markets. |
|
|
Start planning for next Christmas on January 2nd. |
|
|
Take advantage of January sales for purchases of holiday cards, wrapping paper and decorations. |
|
|
Take advantage of sales throughout the entire year. |
Site Menu
Copyright © - B. Malheiro - All Rights Reserved
|
|