It’s the most wonderful time of the year! But for a lot of us, it’s also the most stressful time of the year, financially. That’s why we’re here to provide you with some unique ways to save money during the holiday season. Follow our tips to have the most stress-free Christmas ever.
- Buy in Bulk – Chances are you’ll be doing a lot of cooking and baking during the holidays. Save money by hitting up your favorite wholesale store to stock up on basics such as sugar, flour, butter, and eggs. You’ll thank yourself towards the end of the holiday season, when you’re not sending your husband to buy overpriced sugar at the drugstore.
- Gift Cards – Time to clean out your purses, ladies! I bet you have a handful of random gift cards hiding in them. Don’t toss them just because they only have a couple of dollars left on them – think free stocking stuffers!
- Rewards Programs – I try to only shop at stores that have rewards programs, but sometimes I forget to redeem my rewards, or they get lost in my email. Just by doing a simple search for “rewards” in your email, you might be surprised what you find (free shopping money!). If you don’t already take advantage of the reward programs at your favorite stores, there’s never been a better time to start. A few of my favorites are Toys ‘R’ Us, Carter’s, and Ulta.
- The Dollar Store – I’ve always thought this place was magical. From decorations to stocking stuffers, this is my go-to destination during the holidays. It’s also the best place for wrapping supplies. Don’t forget to check out their wall of ornaments – they make the cutest gift toppers!
- DIY Photos – Is a professional photo shoot not in the budget this year? That doesn’t mean you have to skip out on Christmas cards. Look up some Pinterest tutorials on DIY photography and give it a shot. You’ll be surprised what you can do with that smart phone, mama. And remember, no one can make your kids smile like you can!
- Skip the Light Shows – Make some hot cocoa, bundle up the kiddos, and take a family walk around the neighborhood. You don’t always have to pay the big bucks to check out pretty Christmas lights. Some of the best light shows are in your neighbors’ yards.
- Last Minute Shopping – As crazy as it sounds, retailers begin clearing out holiday merchandise BEFORE the holidays. Some of the best deals are found during the week of Christmas. Sometimes the late bird catches the worm!
- Coupon Apps – There are so many mobile coupons available, it doesn’t make sense not to use one every time you shop. A few of my favorite coupon apps are Shopular (coupons for virtually every retailer) and Target’s Cartwheel.
- Set Limits – Set price limits for gifts (i.e. $30 for adults). This will give you a guide for shopping and prevent you from overbuying.
- Postpone Christmas Parties – Of course you can’t postpone Santa, but you can delay get-togethers with extended family. Everything is cheaper once December 26th rolls around, from gifts to food. Schedule your family party for after Christmas and you’ll get double the gifts with the after Christmas sales.
How does your family pinch pennies during the holiday season?
