4.
Personalized and thoughtful homemade gifts can often be more meaningful than store-bought ones; especially if you’re a crafty lifestyle person. They can also save you tons of money.
5.
6.
Whether it’s Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas/Hanukkah part of the budgeting process is to create a list…for everything. Stick to your budget by making a list of the items you need to purchase and avoid impulse buying. If you are preparing meals or having parties, you must have lists and be disciplined. Menus for food, places to shop for gifts and all the rest can be simplified by simply having various lists.
7.
Look for coupons, discount codes, and deals online or in-store to save money on your purchases. This is really powerful when you start early because many of the retailers and food stores started promoting their savings programs right after Labor Day…so start looking for coupons and online savings now.
8.
You don’t need to go overboard with decorations. I know some of you “Financial Life stylers” are decorating gurus…but keep it simple and consider reusing decorations from previous years. The same thing applies to Halloween costumes and decorations. For all the holiday season, consider partnering with your neighbors when it comes to decorating because sometimes you can share in costs and ideas and really have the “coolest side of the block”!
9.
If you’re hosting any of the holiday meals, consider having a potluck-style meal where everyone brings a dish. It can help spread the cost and variety of food. Especially if you have a blended family and you will be going to different households to celebrate.
10.
Instead of spending a lot on material gifts, consider gifting experiences, such as tickets to a show, a group going to a concert, a spa day, or a weekend getaway. Being creative when it comes to the “holiday experience” can be empowering and these can create lasting memories without breaking the bank.
Remember, the true spirit of the holidays is about spending time
with loved ones and showing appreciation for one another, not about lavish spending. Your lifestyle can really be enhanced by being mindful of your budget and focusing on what truly matters, so you can de-stress your events and enjoy the holiday season to its fullest. Next month I will lean into some lifestyle tools for traveling during the holiday season.
Foe more financial lifestyle tools visit www.1stcig.com.
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