Holiday Money Savers

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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 and the money jumping out of your hands. Apartment Living has some insider advice 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.
• Consider homemade gifts. Measure ingredients into a beribboned jar for easy assembly of a cookie recipe. Make personalized stationery sets on the computer.
• Wrapping paper is old news. Be creative and save money by using kids’ artwork, old maps, 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 or ensure generous leftovers. Plan on one pound of meat per person, or up to two pounds per person if you want to have some leftovers.
• Store your leftovers 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.

Avoiding Shopping Snafus

• Many stores are cracking down on returns. Save receipts—originals and gift receipts—to ensure you can get your money back. Leave all tags on clothing and leave items in their boxes until you are sure you are going to keep them.

Traveling that Surprises the Family, Not the Credit Card Company

• Sign up for fare special e-mails, which can alert you to sudden drops in ticket prices.
• If possible, fly on an actual holiday (Thanksgiving or Christmas) when rates are significantly less than right before or after the holiday.
• Airline tickets are less expensive if you plan ahead and buy 21 days or more in advance.
• Fly on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, and stay over a Saturday night if possible. Fares are generally lower on these days. Also be willing to travel at a less-popular time of day to save even more.
• Don’t waste time and money by wrapping presents before a flight. There’s a good chance that security might want to open them to see what’s inside. Either ship your presents to your final destination before you leave or wait until you get there to wrap them.
• Consider renting a car rather than relying on taxis; the cost for these can add up quickly.
• Smaller airports are generally cheaper. If it is not too far out of the way, fly into a lesser-known airport.
• If you need a hotel or car book them together to score special discounts.

Sneaky Solutions to Save Big

When all else fails, or you’re just tired of the same old routine, try out some of these original ideas to guarantee a holiday season you’ll never forget:

• If you simply cannot afford a plane ticket, create a digital visit by arranging pictures or video of the past year along with thoughts and best wishes on a voice recording. Send the DVD along with some fresh-baked cookies to eat while family or friends view it.
• If cute cookie jars aren’t your thing, get a gift that says much more than a mall scarf ever could: Make a donation in a friend’s name, have Aunt Jean removed from the junk mail list, make emergency road kits or give a copy of a book marked up with notes you know your best friend will appreciate.
• Spread holiday cheer by doing special favors for those who usually aren’t on your list. Have hot chocolate ready for the mailman, shovel snow for your elderly neighbor or grocery shop for your roommate.

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