I use credit cards sparingly, never carrying a balance (the credit card companies hate people like me)! And I use only cards that give me rewards.
This is a guide about budgeting for Christmas. Keeping a Christmas budget can help you avoid going over board and being in debt come January.
Avoid Compulsive Holiday Spending
Beverly Butler from Well Fargo has some great advice about how to avoid compulsive and over spending during the holidays. Watch the related videos for more helpful tips to keep you within your budget during the Christmas season.
Saving Money on a Christmas Tree
This is a guide about saving money on a Christmas tree. There are many ways to save money on purchasing a Christmas tree. If you live near an area that they grow well, cutting your own is a very popular options.
Save Change Throughout The Year
Whenever cash is paid for something and change is given back, save it. Change adds up fast into big bucks. I also save the one dollar bills and group into tens.
Ease Your Christmas Grocery Budget
I start grocery boxes at the end of February for the next Christmas holidays. I keep a list of things I buy regularly, then wait until they are on a super sale and stock up on them.
Avoid Holiday Spending With Envelops
To avoid using credit cards and over spending during the holidays, I use the envelope system. I write each person or event on an envelope and every pay day I put in $5 or $10, just depends. I put the envelopes in order of importance and a certain amount.
Inexpensive Holiday Decorating: Candy Canes
In last minute budget/economy Christmas decorating - don't forget candy canes!
Check Credit Card Rewards for Cash Back
Hi everyone! Don't forget to check out your credit cards that offer cash back to see how much reward money you've earned. After looking at ours today I'm happily surprised to find that I now have an extra $130.00 to spend on Christmas!
One way to prevent Christmas from being a financial burden is to plan ahead. Here are some tips from the ThriftyFun community to help you save money on Christmas by planning ahead.
Consider opening a Christmas Club account. Some banks still offer them but they may not advertise them. You can deposit money weekly or as often as you'd like; however, the funds are NOT accessible for withdrawal. Around the first of November or mid-November, you should receive your Christmas Club check.
Here's a tip for budgeting for Christmas or any other holiday. I do this every year and it works out great. All grocery stores have gift cards, I buy them through out the year and than at Christmas, I have all my grocery money all saved up.
Christmas List Budget Worksheet (Printable)
Here is the Christmas List Budget Worksheet I like to work off. I list the names of everyone I need to get gifts for, gift ideas and how much I am able to spend on gifts.
Making a Nice Christmas on a Budget
Making a Nice Christmas on a Budget. This request was originally published in 2005 and received numerous helpful responses.
Buying Gift Cards to Save for Christmas
Buying Gift Cards to Save for Christmas. I get a gift card at Walmart and when I do my grocery shopping I add $10.00 on the card and I tuck it in my purse in a special place. You can get different designs. . .
On New Years Day I start my Christmas fund. Everytime I write a check, in my check register, I round it off to the next dollar and forget about it...
Sticking to the Budget at Christmas
There are several ways to give well thought out gifts at this time of year without overdoing it on credit cards or adding to your financial worries. All it takes is a little planning and creativity. Here are a few ideas...
Stockpile Gifts Buy Ahead at After Holiday Sales
I put the gifts in a box that I wrap in a netural gold, silver, blue or red shiny paper so when it is put in the storage area I can easily identify it throughout the next year. I label the boxes. For The childrens box I call it something like "The Treasure Chest" or "Treats for The Sweet"...
Making Money at Christmas Time
What is a legitimate way for a creative mom to make extra christmas money? Lost job recently and have zero savings. I need real resources. Anything you can suggest would be greatfully appriciated.
Using Your Skills and Talents to Make Extra Christmas Money
If you're a stay-at-home mom, use your skills and talents to make extra holiday spending money. The following are things I have done...
Not Going Into Debt for a Nice Christmas
We have never made much money, so when shopping for the holidays, I check out thrift stores! I used to think that was a terrible thing to do, but you can find so many brand new things with the tags still on them...
Help! I can't afford Christmas
The less money you have to spend on Christmas the earlier you have to get started. Bargains go quickly as we all know. Firstly, make sure you get along to any car boot/garage/yard/tag sales in your area, looking out for baskets that you can package gifts in, pretty china, toys in excellent condition with all the pieces present, inexpensive hand made crafts and second hand books that look brand new.
Christmas is only a few weeks away. If you are the organized sort of person, your shopping is already done. You picked up gifts throughout the year, thereby spreading out the expense of holiday gift giving. But if you are like me, you are faced with spending hundreds of dollars in the next few weeks because you waited until now to start preparing for the holidays and you are wondering where you are going to come up with extra cash to spend those hundreds of dollars.
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One way to prevent Christmas from being a financial burden is to plan ahead. Here are some tips from the ThriftyFun community to help you save money on Christmas by planning ahead.
Christmas List Budget Worksheet (Printable)
Here is the Christmas List Budget Worksheet I like to work off. I list the names of everyone I need to get gifts for, gift ideas and how much I am able to spend on gifts.
Making a Nice Christmas on a Budget
Making a Nice Christmas on a Budget. This request was originally published in 2005 and received numerous helpful responses.
