I’m pumping this out this morning, hence the additional errors, because its dawned on me its the 5th of December and for the first time I am done this year and I have managed to keep to budget this year. Now I did save up but because of lots of ‘bugger its’ such as the rental house being infested with termites, unforeseen vet bills, braces, and now the houses stumps need replacing, the husband’s contract was pushed out twice which means no paydays for a month. Also, add to that I want to see my family in New Zealand this year because well time is a ticking for some, the budget was and is tight this year. I couldn’t go over by one cent it. I also didn’t want to dip into the ‘other savings’ account and I don’t believe in credit care debt or personal loans for these things.
So this year I saved money because well I had to..
- Set a budget. Our entire Christmas budget was $500 this year. Food and gifts for family and friends. I even did a spreadsheet on google sheets which means I could also access it on my phone.
- Talk to your partner about your budget, what you want out Christmas et. Husband and I aren’t gifting each other this year preferring to spend it on a trip to NZ but the kids will get a toy from Santa, a toy from us and then we get them everything they will need for the next coming year and that includes school lunch boxes, clothes and sporting equipment. Talk to family about gifting. Our family has a rule once the kids turn 18 no gifts.
- Embrace online shopping if you’re quick you can still make it for the delivery service especially if you live city side. We live regionally so the cut off dates are now cutting it fine. Make the most of free shipping by one stop shopping.
- If your shopping online you need to install two things onto your laptop or PC both which are free.. Honey and Shopback. Honey will find you vouchers or coupons and automatically apply them at checkout Shop back will give you cash back for shopping at selected retailers and with over $500 including Woolies, Cotton On and ASOS there is a shop for everyone. Yesterday I shopped at best and less going via Shop back (they redirect you to the store’s site) and then Honey applied my coupon and viola I saved $15.00. I then got another $5.00 from Shopback. There are alternatives I’m sure but these are the two I have used and yes I get a referral from sending you there.
- Talk to your family about quality over quantity. If I got a handmade pink diamond ring I wouldn’t expect anything else..you see my meaning? Be reasonable.
- Give an experience. This is my favourite way to save and gift. Part of my boy’s gifts this year is the Deadly Sixty show and a trip to NZ. The boys are well aware now that we would rather invest in experiences than things and as they rack up their travel miles they feel the same way.
- Give kindness and you will never go broke.
Perhaps my biggest advice is don’t forget the big picture. Its one day and Christmas is about the spirit of love, family and giving but that giving isn’t about the latest Xbox. The Christmas spirit of giving is time, love and kindness. It really is that simple. It’s corny but true; you can’t appreciate how many people ache for those things.
xxDeb
