It’s that time of year again, the Halloween decorations have been replaced by fairy lights, flashing reindeer and advent calendars. Whether you love Christmas or consider yourself a bit of a Grinch, you are probably going to end up spending more money than you anticipated. In saying that, here are the top three ways you can save money this Christmas time!
- Switch up your supermarket.
Most of us have a favourite supermarket, maybe it’s the closest one to home or maybe they always have your most delicious snacks in stock. Whatever your reasoning, there is usually a cheaper option. Be a scrooge with coupons, deals and specials (actually read those catalogues that end up in your letterbox) You would be surprised by the deals you can get! That’s especially true around the festive season where you can get two for one deals on wrapping paper, cards and even desserts. Shop around for the best deals and don’t be locked into a specific supermarket chain.
2. Buy Online.
Even if you’re a purist who believes all shopping should be done with a headache and a coffee in hand, you can’t deny that it can be far cheaper to buy presents online than in store. If you think ahead you can get some great deals in the months leading up to December. While some are put off by the postage fees, these can usually be avoided if you purchase your goods from Australia and spend over a certain amount and let’s be honest you would spend more in a physical store!
3. Keep track and stay on budget.
This is probably the hardest one but definitely the most important. Before you even think about Christmas presents and everything that goes along with the holiday, make a list and check it twice. Maybe even three times to be sure.
Write down everything you need to get and cannot go without then make a maybe list of back up presents and things you could potentially re gift. Now, every time you spend something make a note of it and add it to your budget. By doing this you will be fully aware of just how much you’re spending and have a way of seeing if you’re spending money on things you don’t really need.