Best ways to save for the holidays
With the holidays right around the corner, you can expect to spend more money on holiday gifts and treats. According to the National Retail Federation, Americans are expected to spend an average $998 on gifts, holiday items and other expenses.
Don’t get stressed. We have some holiday money-saving tips to get you through the season.
Create a budget and spending list
Create a holiday gift list, breaking down your recipients and maximum spending amounts for each. This will help when you research for the best deals online. Don’t forget to list additional holiday expenses, including travel, decorations, groceries and more. Set a spending limit that won’t hurt you when the new year comes.
Go pot-luck
Save money on food for the holidays by asking everyone to bring a dish. You can minimize your grocery bill and it will be less stressful for you.
Use creativity when gifting
Change up your gift-giving strategies at work or at home. Tactics such as Secret Santa work well at office parties or family get-togethers. Not only will you save money, but so will your co-workers, family, or friends.
Make your own décor
Instead of spending money on new items, think of ways to decorate your home. Turn what you have into decorations. You could turn cookies cutters into ornaments. Display last year’s holiday cards. Log on to Pinterest for fun DIY projects if you’re crafty.
Avoid impulse buying
Instead of buying items that could end up in the back of your closet, shop post-holiday sales for discounts.
Be flexible when traveling
If you have to travel, book early, but be flexible about when you choose to fly. If you want to avoid expensive tickets or crowds, book your flight less popular days such as Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
Protect your shipments
Protect your holiday packages from thieves. Sign up for free services such as UPS My Choice, USPS Informed Delivery or FedEx Delivery Manager that inform you when your packages are delivered. If Amazon has a hub locker in a local business near you, have your Amazon orders delivered there.
The information in this article was obtained from various sources not associated with Adirondack Bank. While we believe it to be reliable and accurate, we do not warrant the accuracy or reliability of the information. Adirondack Bank is not responsible for, and does not endorse or approve, either implicitly or explicitly, the information provided or the content of any third-party sites that might be hyperlinked from this page. The information is not intended to replace manuals, instructions or information provided by a manufacturer or the advice of a qualified professional, or to affect coverage under any applicable insurance policy. These suggestions are not a complete list of every loss control measure. Adirondack Bank makes no guarantees of results from use of this information.
