Preparing your Budget for the Holidays
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It may seem crazy, but the holidays are already here! For most, it can be a time of overindulging. Whether it is on food, or holiday spending, most of us do it to some degree. While we would rather just focus on family time, good food and singing Christmas carols, the reality is that we stress about gift-giving and all the funds needed for holiday parties. Instead of going into debt this year, save money and stay within your holiday budget by using these tips.
Create a Holiday Budget
It may seem obvious, but most people don’t sit down and think about how much money they will need to spend during the holidays. When planning your budget, be sure to think of things other than gifts. There are parties, food, decorations, gift wrap, and maybe even travel you have to plan for to make it through the holiday months. If you take the time to create a holiday budget, you will be less likely to overspend and have to pay large credit card bills come January.
Create a Holiday Account
It may be too late to start this year, but as soon as the holidays are over this year, start saving money in a bank account specifically for the holidays. Take any amount you wish from each paycheck, or even every other paycheck. You won’t even notice the money is missing! Even small amounts can add up. By the time December rolls around again, you will have extra money in your holiday budget.
Shop Early
You probably say you are going to start you holiday shopping early every year, and you never do. Make it happen this year to save money! Other than the obvious shopping days like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, retailers will discount their inventory weeks before the holiday shopping season. Shopping early can also help you stay within your budget. If you aren’t persuaded by all of the sights, sounds and crowds that holiday shopping brings, you will be more likely to stick to your holiday budget.
Make a List & Check it Twice
Just like the popular Christmas carol says, make a list and check it twice. Similar to staying within your holiday budget, making a list will help you to not overspend on things. If you go to the store or shop online with your list, you will be less tempted to buy things that were not planned. This works even better if you know the location within the store of where your items are.
Sell your Things
A lot of websites these days make it easy to sell your gently-used things that you don’t even use anymore. Use sites like eBay, LetGo, Craigslist, or the Facebook Marketplace to sell items that you can afford to sell for extra cash. You can also go to stores like Plato’s Closet or other consignment stores to sell clothes or shoes you don’t wear anymore. Do you have a garage? Have a garage sale if you have enough things you want to get rid of. Depending on how much unwanted stuff you have, you could add $100-$300 of spending money to your holiday budget!
If you need an installment loan to bulk up your holiday budget this year, apply now with CreditBox! Use our easy application to get next day funding and instant pre-approval online for loans up to $4,000.
The information on this site is provided with the understanding that CreditBox, L.L.C. is not herein engaged in rendering legal, accounting, tax, or other professional advice and services. As such, it should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional accounting, tax, legal or other competent advisers. Before making any decision or taking any action, you should consult a legal, accounting, or tax advisor.
Create a Holiday Budget
It may seem obvious, but most people don’t sit down and think about how much money they will need to spend during the holidays. When planning your budget, be sure to think of things other than gifts. There are parties, food, decorations, gift wrap, and maybe even travel you have to plan for to make it through the holiday months. If you take the time to create a holiday budget, you will be less likely to overspend and have to pay large credit card bills come January.
Create a Holiday Account
It may be too late to start this year, but as soon as the holidays are over this year, start saving money in a bank account specifically for the holidays. Take any amount you wish from each paycheck, or even every other paycheck. You won’t even notice the money is missing! Even small amounts can add up. By the time December rolls around again, you will have extra money in your holiday budget.
Shop Early
You probably say you are going to start you holiday shopping early every year, and you never do. Make it happen this year to save money! Other than the obvious shopping days like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, retailers will discount their inventory weeks before the holiday shopping season. Shopping early can also help you stay within your budget. If you aren’t persuaded by all of the sights, sounds and crowds that holiday shopping brings, you will be more likely to stick to your holiday budget.
Make a List & Check it Twice
Just like the popular Christmas carol says, make a list and check it twice. Similar to staying within your holiday budget, making a list will help you to not overspend on things. If you go to the store or shop online with your list, you will be less tempted to buy things that were not planned. This works even better if you know the location within the store of where your items are.
Sell your Things
A lot of websites these days make it easy to sell your gently-used things that you don’t even use anymore. Use sites like eBay, LetGo, Craigslist, or the Facebook Marketplace to sell items that you can afford to sell for extra cash. You can also go to stores like Plato’s Closet or other consignment stores to sell clothes or shoes you don’t wear anymore. Do you have a garage? Have a garage sale if you have enough things you want to get rid of. Depending on how much unwanted stuff you have, you could add $100-$300 of spending money to your holiday budget!
If you need an installment loan to bulk up your holiday budget this year, apply now with CreditBox! Use our easy application to get next day funding and instant pre-approval online for loans up to $4,000.
The information on this site is provided with the understanding that CreditBox, L.L.C. is not herein engaged in rendering legal, accounting, tax, or other professional advice and services. As such, it should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional accounting, tax, legal or other competent advisers. Before making any decision or taking any action, you should consult a legal, accounting, or tax advisor.
