Holiday Money Savers
It comes around every year—the joy, the snow, the happy memories waiting to be made and the empty pockets. The holidays are no longer a few days in the winter where various people celebrate religious remembrances. The “holidays” often last a month or longer and it’s not only spending on presents that can set you back. Parties, dinners, office events, surprise visits from family, plane tickets to visit long-lost friends…sometimes all you can hear is the “cha-ching!” of the register ringing and the money jumping out of your hands. Apartments.com has some insider-advice (we’ve been in those heavy holiday shoes, too) to help make this season the one where you finally give yourself a present—some leftover cash in January!
Gift-Giving with Less Green
- Use a detailed list and stick to it. Don’t go the mall and randomly search for the perfect gift for all 137 people on your list. Next to each name, write down an amount to spend and stick to it.
- Pick out only the most-wanted items for children. Those are usually the ones kids remember the most.
- It’s true that “it’s the thought that counts”. Think of ways to make your gift giving special to the recipient instead of spending the most. Pick out gifts that involve special knowledge or memories. Go ahead and tug at the heartstrings, those are the best gifts.
- Use the internet to comparison-shop for deals.
- While some homemade gifts are cheesy, others are downright genius: pre-measured ingredients in a jar for easy assembly of a cookie recipie, houseplants that reflect a person’s personality, computer-generated individualized stationary sets. All big winners in the holiday circuit!
- Wrapping paper is old news; be creative and save money by using kids’ artwork, old maps or travel brochures, comics, newspapers or old pieces of fabric.
Dinners that Don’t Drain You
This year make your holiday feasts budget-friendly by following these tips:
- Don’t buy the biggest turkey or ham you can find in an attempt to impress your family and/or ensure generous leftovers. Plan on one pound of meat per person, up to two pounds if you want to have some leftovers.
- Store your leftovers in a meal-friendly way: Package food in meal-sized portions. Fresh ham and turkey can be frozen for up to two weeks. Once you thaw your meat, however, it shouldn’t be re-frozen.
- Go grocery shopping the day after Thanksgiving and stock up. Prices are usually at the lowest of the season at this time.
- Don’t be afraid to buy canned pumpkin and cranberries, pre-made pie crusts or make your own bread crumbs out of bread-ends from your kitchen. These convenience items can usually save you money.
|
Email this Article
Print this Article
