The festive season is a time to celebrate, relax and connect with loved ones, but it can also put extra pressure on the household budget.
With the rising cost of living, a little planning can go a long way towards keeping the season merry without overspending. The festive season can be expensive, especially with the current cost-of-living crisis and increasing financial pressures on households.
According to Moneysmart, adults in Australia estimated they would spend almost $800 in the lead up to Christmas, while 34% planned to spend $1,000 or more. For those living paycheck to paycheck, coming up with that extra cash can make the festive season more stressful than magical.
Thoughtful planning is the secret to avoiding overspending. Here are our tips for a stress-free, budget-friendly festive season.
Map out your holiday spending
Planning in advance will help you to create a spending budget for the festive season. This is key if you want to avoid getting into financial trouble.
Create a budget for gifts and start buying them sooner rather than later. Giving yourself a runway to plan out your expenses in the lead up to Christmas can make a world of difference when it comes to managing your outgoings. You may even be able to make the most of end-of season spring sales and discounts.
Once you have a clear idea of your expected expenses, you can start planning how to generate the extra funds you’ll need. You may have to reduce non-essential spending on things like dining out if necessary.
You could also drum up some additional income by selling unwanted items online, having a garage sale, or by starting a side hustle like pet sitting, tutoring or dog walking.
Ditch costly gifts
Handmade or personalised gifts are a great way to get into the Christmas spirit, without breaking the bank. Think about ways to show people you care about them, without forking out a fortune.
You could bake loved ones special treats or give them a plant cutting from your garden in a hand-painted pot. Even a Christmas card with thoughtful words can be a great way to show your loved ones you care about them.
Plan your festive feast ahead
We all enjoy a good festive feast, but there’s no doubt this can be one of the most expensive parts of Christmas.
Having a set meal plan and buying in advance can be a great way to save money. Grab products when they’re on sale, and stock up on items that may get costlier as Christmas approaches.
Also, if you have a big family attending a festive meal, ask each guest to bring a dish. People usually don’t mind contributing, and it will help ease the load (and financial burden) on you.
Avoid maxing out the credit card
At Christmas time, it can be tempting to tap and go, then worry about the consequences later. However, running up your credit card isn’t ideal, as it may lead to overspending and you could struggle to pay off your debt in the new year.
Keep in mind that interest on credit cards can be high, so if you don’t pay it off regularly, you may end up paying a lot more for the items you purchase.
Instead, try to stick to using cash or your debit card, so that you stay within budget and don’t spend beyond your means.
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