Christmas will be upon us in a few days, it is the most anticipated holiday worldwide and the burden of the season is already flying around. It’s a joyous time of eating, gifting, hangouts, drinking, partying, and being merry. It includes Buying Christmas gifts, cards, and decorations but it’s the most stressful and financially draining period you may or may not escape from.
Surviving the Christmas billing this period and having a little left for the long month of January seems to be the hardest thing after the holidays rather than feeling desperate and broke. So, tips on surviving the festive season, tips for Christmas, how to survive the Christmas holidays would go a long way wouldn’t they?
The good news is that it doesn’t have to be this way!
It might be hard to stay on track if you don’t examine how much you can actually afford to spend this Christmas and plan for the new year. Christmas is coming, how do you Survive the Christmas billing?
- Plan Ahead
Is your bank statement frowning at you or smiling? Whatever your answer is, you need a budget and a plan because though Christmas may come and go but January will definitely come to stay till it decides it enough. You may be able to enjoy if you track your expenses and manage your money. So, plan your spending and stick to it.
- Prepare a budget
Create a budget in which you can cut down on those expenses so that you can make larger payments towards your credit card debt. You should make sure your budget is reasonable and manageable.
- Don’t over-do
Don’t overdo yourself by incurring too many expenses and making unnecessary Christmas and new year promises. You’re not trying to create a perfect Christmas but a fun Christmas and new year that’s the most important. Remember January has no mercy.
- Give yourself a limit.
When you plan, you would be able to know the limit your budget can take you to, keep the limit within your income, and don’t cross it. you cross t, you have yourself to blame in January.
- Say NO
You will have to say no if you’re staying within your limit to so many requests from people, activities, gifting, and so on.
- Be creative with gifts
You can re-gift, give out unused items, frame your photo or theirs or make their pictures into a calendar. Make Homemade bread, cookies, jam, jewelry, home-cooked meals, and craft items make great gifts. Organize a movie night for the family.
- Take advantage of discounts
This is the season of discounts. Organizations will be offering products and services up for discounts so grab it. If you are purchasing something expensive or buying in bulk from a store, go for discounted prices. it can be very helpful and will reduce your spending- there might even be online coupon codes available.
- Free tickets
With so many events happening, there will be lots of free tickets for giveaways, remember you have a limit and a budget but if you must party and attend these events ask for free tickets or join the giveaway. If you don’t ask others will so, it might as well be you.
- Giveaways
This is the time of giving, gifting and giveaways. Engage in as many giveaways as possible without shame.
- Beware of Loan companies
Loan companies will be around the place looking for those who want to have a very merry Christmas by force and it will really be tempting. Stick to your plan and budget, stick to your limit and have a fun loan free Christmas
Despite being the most wonderful time of the year, Christmas can also be one of the most expensive.
A final word… when the jolly and pressure is getting too much please sleep.
