Simple ways to save money during the holidays

The holidays can be a time when everyone overindulges. This is done in many different ways. You overeat, you drink too much and most of all you spent too much. This year there just is not a lot of extra money to spend. It is the most wonderful time of the year however and everyone has social obligations that they can’t avoid. How can you meet all of these obligations and still keep your spending in check? It is going to take a little effort, some creative thinking and a lot of planning.

Avoid credit

The first rule to remember this year is cash. Put away your credit cards and don’t use them at all. Use only your debit card or cash. Handing over the cash makes you value the items purchased more and if you can’t afford to pay cash for something, then you can’t afford to buy it, period.

Gift giving

While you can pare down not only the number of people you give gifts to but also the size of the gifts that you give, you cannot eliminate some people. There is no way you can tell your children or grandchildren that there will not be any presents this year. For these gifts, use the Internet to compare prices. Sites such as Pricegrabber, Bizrate, and Nextag can help you comparison shop but for the best prices, try more than one.

Check for coupons at Toys R Us and other online retailers at one of the many coupon sites. Do not buy anything unless you have comparison-shopped and are getting free shipping. Retailers are as desperate as shoppers are and they are giving some great deals, you just have to find them. By shopping online you also avoid the temptations that are all too prevalent at the mall.

Within the family, why not have all the adult members of the family draw one name and buy just one gift. If you prefer, you can just ask all the members to bring a gift at a specified dollar amount and then do a random drawing.

Dinner

Plan your menu for any holiday meals as much in advance as you can. This way you can combine your coupons and your weekly circulars to see who is offering the best deals. Make only one trip if possible to do your shopping; this will save you on the gas and wear and tear on your vehicle.

Be creative, if you usually do a standing rib roast, this might be the year to change that to a pot roast. If you usually buy store made eggnog, try making your own. Alcohol can be a very big expense, trying going alcohol-free this year. Offer the mixers like Bloody Mary or Tom Collins without the booze. Not only will you save a lot of money, there will be fewer hangovers and regrets the next morning.

Use the store brands; no one is going to be able to tell on your cheese tray that you bought the store brand cheddar and the store brand crackers. Bring out your holiday trays and holiday decorations and everyone will be impressed.

These are just a few simple suggestions for keeping your holiday spending under control. You don’t have to have less fun by spending less money, you will just have no debt when the holidays are over, it is as simple as that. Simple can be creative and tasty, it just requires a little more planning.