The holidays are definitely a time when a lot of people can go a little overboard with spending money. I love buying gifts for my friends, family and myself. Also, the holidays are filled with events, activities, and festivities and that can cost money too. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned to be more intentional about my spending. I still buy what I want, but I’ve learned there are simple ways to save money during the holidays.
1.Free Activities
During the holiday season there are so many free activities you can do with your family. You can google “free kids activities” in your area and I’m sure you can find a lot. Winter break for kids will be here soon, so it’s a good idea to have a list of free activities you can do with your kids. If your kids love to do crafts check out my blog post on Michaels Kids Club Winter Workshop
2.Re-Evaluate Subscriptions
Subscriptions are one of those things that I forget about sometimes. Go through all your subscriptions and remove the ones that you no longer need or no longer use. Don’t forget to go through those app subscriptions as well!
3.Sell Old Toys & Clothes
Selling old toys and clothes are a great way to make some extra money during the holidays. You can use the money that you make to buy holiday gifts. It’s also a great time to declutter because kids will be getting new toys and clothes for Christmas. Places like Plato’s Closet, Kid to Kid, and Once Upon a Child are great places to tell. Also Facebook marketplace is an easy way to sell old toys and clothes. If you rather donate the old toys and clothes, it’s a tax write off! Just remember to keep the tax sheet from whoever you donate to.
4.Buy Gift Cards
Gift cards are such a great option for gifts during the holidays. They help you stay on budget so you’re not overspending. Also, oftentimes, people would rather have a gift card for Christmas so they can choose what they want to buy. Check out my blog post 6 Reasons Gift Cards are Great Holiday Gifts
5.Order Online
Ordering online helps me stay on budget and save money. Whenever I go in the store I always overspend. When I see that total number online in my cart sometimes I’ll rethink if I really need everything.
6.Use Coupons
Before I buy something, I like to check to see if I have any coupons. Sometimes subscribing to a store’s newsletter can offer a quick 10% -15% discount code. I also do a quick google search for coupons.
7.Don’t Comparison Shop
Don’t compare yourself to others. During the holidays it can be easy to buy things because you see someone else with it. Remember to be intentional about shopping and always ask yourself if you really need this.
8. Don’t Overbook Yourself
During the holidays there are typically a lot of holiday parties and events. It’s okay to pass on some of the holiday parties and/events. Don’t feel obligated to go especially if it’s going to cause stress because you have to spend money.
9. DIY Gifts
I recently got a cricut and I absolutely love it! Having a cricut made me realize that I can DIY so many gifts. If you have a creative side, I encourage you to DIY some gifts. Anytime I DIY a gift, I like to personalize it by adding the person’s name on the gift. Check out my blog post on Simple Holiday Crafts with Cricut
10. Mindset
The holidays should be about creating memories and less about spending. I have a mindset of finding more ways to spend intentional time with my family and friends. I also have a mindset that I don’t want to go into the new year with a lot of debt. So I encourage you to have this mindset during the holidays
I hope these tips were helpful. It’s so important to find ways to save money during the holiday. Remember, to enjoy the holidays and focus on creating fun memories!
XO,
Ashley
