Keep the holiday bills down this year with these 3 tips
With the holiday season approaching, it can be difficult to avoid getting caught up in a shopping frenzy and running up a high credit card bill. But don’t despair! Keeping your holiday budget under control this year is possible by planning and setting realistic goals for yourself. In this blog post, we’ll discuss three tips that will help you stay on track when spending less during the holidays so that you can enjoy all the festivities without breaking the bank.
Have a budget
The holiday season is a time of joy, connection…and spending. A holiday budget is a must to ensure the holiday season remains stress-free! Allocating funds in advance to holiday activities and gifts can help one stay on top of their holiday spending by providing parameters for mindful spending. It enables us to stick to necessary holiday expenditures while having enough left to enjoy treats and indulgences. Planning and setting a holiday budget will yield great rewards later, allowing one to have fun this holiday season.
Shop in person where possible to reduce shipping costs
Shopping online can be a great convenience, but even if you can snag a great deal, the shipping costs can add to your total cost. When possible, shop in-store for those special occasions or items that require immediacy. You may spend more time getting there, but the potential savings on shipping could make it worth the extra effort.
Be mindful of your electric bill
‘Tis the season for holiday decorations, and there’s no better way to get in the festive spirit than with Christmas lights and other electric decorations! Sure, it’s a given that electric bills are bound to rise- yet with a few small changes, you can reduce your electric bill over the festive period.
Investing in LED Christmas lights is essential; they are 75% more energy efficient than conventional electric lighting and last up to 25 times longer. Turning off your light displays when you go to bed and using a timer will help you be more economical too. Lastly, look out for those pesky “phantom loads” around the home – electric devices that draw power even when switched off. Following such measures, electric bills during the holidays can stay within expectations!