3 Tips for Saving Money When Holiday Shopping This Year

It is that time of year again! 2019 really flew by, didn’t it? As the holidays are quickly approaching, there are some key things to know when it comes to saving money while holiday shopping. Gift giving is a task that may seem daunting and expensive, but there are so many ways to give great gifts on a budget and save money while doing so!
 

1. Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute

Waiting until the last minute to shop for gifts for loved ones is never a good plan. The best deals are listed ahead of time, even right now! Overspending due to procrastination is preventable! Procrastinating leads to rushing, impulse-decisions, and missed opportunities to find a great gift on sale. You do not want to get the bottom of the barrel when it comes to giving your loved one(s) a gift, so don’t procrastinate! It does not hurt to start holiday shopping early, so if you see a good deal on a gift, even if it is months in advance, get it! That is a great way to spread out the expenses as well.
 

1. Online Shopping Is Your Friend

People who rave about shopping on sites like Amazon and Target online are not kidding – the deals are great! Sales for the holiday season begin as early as October and continue until the end of the year, so they are happening RIGHT NOW! A great way to save money while shopping online is to search for promotional codes. Oftentimes, websites have extra discounts and sales with the inclusion of a promotional code at checkout. These codes could be in the form of a percentage off the price and/or even free shipping! Using online resources to your advantage is key to shopping online; you can almost always find a discount (even some that can be stacked on top of another sale)!
 

1. Make a List and Make a Budget

Having a list of gifts for each person you will be buying for will help you in terms of creating a budget. If you do not make a list, you will be tempted to buy things impulsively (i.e. not on sale, not within budget, etc.) and risk going over your anticipated spending amount. Once you make a list, then comes making a budget. The key to any kind of saving is creating a reasonable budget. Depending on your financial situation, the budget may be different for you than it is for others, and that is okay! Once you have a budget, it will be easier to cross the names off your list once you have bought a gift for each person on it. Budgets set guidelines, and guidelines prevent overspending!
 
While the holidays are a wonderful time of year, they can be particularly stressful for some depending on their financial state. It is important to refrain from procrastinating when it comes to holiday spending. Ordering gifts online, making a list, and making a budget are great ways to save money when holiday shopping.
 
We don’t want you to be in the dark when it comes to your finances. If you’d like to know more about the services that we provide here at California Wealth Transitions, contact us today!
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