The end of year celebrations are fantastic fun but the bills tend to add up. The season of cheer does not have to also mean breaking the bank, though. With these tips, you can hack your holiday and save some cash at the same time.

Make a Budget Spreadsheet

Keeping track of your spending and logging every transaction you make is a great way to control those smaller expenses that start to add up without you realising. A budget spreadsheet can be shared with multiple family members so everyone can contribute and can be uploaded on to go with mobile data.

When making your spreadsheet, set a budget that is reasonable. A budget that is too tight will become stifling and you might abandon your spreadsheet out of frustration. Ensure there is enough room for those big purchases around the holidays, such as presents, or large meals.

Avoid Malls

Malls are designed to be enticing with good food, enticing displays and deals everywhere you can look. If you are looking to pinch your purse, then try to avoid stepping into one. When you need a specific purchase, then leave as soon as you have found it, otherwise, try to find what you need online or in smaller high street shops.

Homemade Gifts

Some of the most precious gifts in the era of mass production are the ones that are homemade. Big batches of brownies, cookies, or any other baking specialty can be decorated and packaged in an attractive bag for a personalised gift.

Making cards can also save cash. Purchase card and maybe a painting stamp so you can quickly but professionally create many cards in one go. A homemade card can also double as a gift since you have put time and love into making each one.

Plan and Freeze Meals

Over the holidays, spontaneous meetups and busy schedules can make meal prep a drag. Instead of splashing out on a food delivery, plan one afternoon to cook a meal in bulk and prepare it in separate plastic tubs for freezing. This way, you can watch your wallet and be prepared to eat on the go.

Hunt for Deals

Lots of plans get renewed at the start of the year. If you have medical insurance or other plans that cover your home or vehicle, then don’t necessarily just renew them without looking around first. Finding an insurance quote can be a great way of getting a cheaper deal for the coming year and save you stress, or a good way of reassuring yourself that you have the best option out there.

Stick to Water

A small purchase that can add up is buying drinks out. The markup on products such as alcohol, especially cocktails, are very high, and even the price of a glass of soda or bottled water can add up. To snip your final bill short, stick to tap water and buy your other drinks at a more reasonable price at the supermarket.

If you still want filtered water at home, then a water filter that goes in your fridge will save you money over bottles. Plus, you consume less plastic overall which is great for the environment.

Recycle Gift Wrapping

A secret expense over the holidays is the paper we tear off our presents and throw away. Instead of tearing through wrapping paper, try to open presents carefully and reuse it. This also works for ribbons and decorative bows. Black and white newsprint can also give a present a chic vibe whilst reusing paper that would otherwise be wasted.

Embrace Potluck Dinners

Family and friends flock together to eat during the holidays, but catering a full house can add up, and going out to eat is equally pricey, especially if the group decides to split the bill. Instead, invite everyone around for a potluck. Making one large dish reduces the individual cost of ingredients as well as saves time cooking.

So don’t let the holiday season be a source of stress around your bank balance. Here are some more amazing money-saving ideas when shopping to help you get an edge before the season of spending really begins. 

Published: 2018-12-10 14:09:54