5 Tips to Jump-Start Your Holiday Prep
First things first – this time of the year is about celebration, food, family and fun. It shouldn’t be the season of overwhelming stress and feeling bankrupt. Good news is that, right now, you’re most likely to be surrounded by amazing deals and offers. But we all know, the sale season can get quite tempting!
So keep these handy tips in mind to avoid overspending and to ensure your holiday preparations are on the right track…
- Create a wish list: Sure you want to make everyone happy during the festive season, but is that goal practically achievable? The answer most probably is ‘no’. So it is important to prioritize. Make a list of those who really matter to you and figure out what would be the ideal gift for each of them. Be realistic about your gifting goals.
- Set a budget (and stick to it): Once your list is ready, you should have an estimate of how much money it’ll set you back. Is the figure something you can manage or will it be a struggle? Ideally, if you’ve saved the entire year, then you should be able to waltz your way through the festive season. But if you have procrastinated, then it’s important to set a realistic budget now. Choose another gift if it helps you save some money.
- Make smart choices: Develop a habit of comparing prices. If you like something at a retail store, do make it a point to check its price online. Chances are majority of the websites will be running great deals, free shipping and even cash-back offers. And if you want to buy an electronic item, consider picking the older version of the device. You’ll get it for cheaper, plus it’ll be equipped with features that were in demand just a few months ago.
- Note the important days? Technically, the whole of November and December will be packed with good offers. And chances are that you won’t find a huge difference in the markdowns between one-day promotions, such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and the usual holiday sales. So make it a point to keep looking out for deals every day instead of simply waiting out for the event-style sales.
- Consider a gift card: When everything else fails, there’s always a gift card! While the idea of homemade gifts sounds nice, most of us deal with time crunch every single day. In such a scenario, gift cards can be very handy. The recipient gets the freedom to choose exactly what they want, while you get to have a better control on your budget. From this perspective, gift cards are not a bad idea at all!
Being ‘too generous’ during the holiday season is not fiction; it is a reality that many of us experience. But you can avoid a financial hangover by keeping in mind the simple tips mentioned above. Now go ahead and spread the holiday cheer!