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7 Tips to Save Money Now for Christmas

September 19, 2014 by Lisa Park + 5 Comments

7 Tips to Save Money Now for ChristmasOne thing we don’t look forward to after Christmas is paying off the gifts that were purchased for Christmas. Hopefully many of us can say we don’t have that credit card bill after the holidays, but unfortunately a lot of people do. Here are 7 tips to save money for Christmas that have helped our family so we don’t have to pay off Christmas items after the holidays. And many of these tips you can begin doing now even though the holidays are coming up quickly.

1. Set a budget
Determine how much money you are going to spend on Christmas, and set a budget. To figure out how much you’ll spend, look back and calculate how much you spent last Christmas. That should give you an idea of what you think you’ll spend this year. It might also help you realize that you spent more than you planned and that you need to cut back on some Christmas items or presents this year.

But when setting a budget, be sure not to set it too tight because it’s nice to have a little wiggle room for last minute purchases. And don’t forget to include in your budget the extras such stocking stuffers, Christmas cards, and holiday home decorations.

2. Begin Saving Now
After you’ve determined how much you think you’ll need, then break it down into how much you need to set aside each month to reach that goal. If it seems like there is no way you can set aside that much money each month, especially since the holidays are in a few months, then at least set aside something.

You’ll have some money saved that will help out toward some of the holiday purchases for this year. You may also want to re-evaluate the amount and price of gifts you are purchasing for others. And look to see if there are areas in your holiday shopping that you could cut back on so you have enough money for the most important purchases.

Last year, I made it a point to set aside $50 every month for the entire year and place it into a “Christmas” envelope. There were some months that were tight and we had extra bills to pay, so I wasn’t able to put aside money each month, but by the end of the year, we were able to save $500 for our Christmas fund. It was nice to be able to pay for our Christmas items as we purchased them.

I realize this year you might not be able to save as much as you want, but save what you can now, then starting January try out the Christmas envelope budgeting technique so you can get a head start on next year’s Christmas.

3. Create a Christmas List
Write down who you are giving gifts to this year. Then decide how much you’re willing to spend on each person depending on how much you’ve budgeted and were able to save. If you don’t have enough money to cover all the people on your holiday list, then go through the list again and cut names or the amount you’ll spend on them.

Be sure to group people together on your list for whom you may purchase the same gift. You might be able to get a volume discount on the gifts or you might be able to save on gas and your time by shopping at one store for multiple gifts.

On my side of the family, I have five siblings. I can’t image the amount of money I would spend each Christmas if I were to purchase gifts for all of my siblings and their children. Instead, what we do each year is rotate names so each of us is just buying for one sibling and their family. I love all of my siblings and their families, but it’s nice to keep Christmas more simple and less stressful by doing it this way, and then my Christmas list isn’t out of control.

4. Shop for Sales Now
You don’t have to wait until the holidays to start purchasing items and checking off your list. Once you’ve compiled your list, then you can begin to shop for the items right now as they go on sale or as you see a really good deal. Be sure to always comparison shop before you purchase an item on sale, and be sure to not buy anything without checking for discounts first. If there is an item that’s on sale but it’s not on your list, even though we all love sales, be sure the money you are spending to purchase the item is in your budget.

Additionally, shopping right now will help you to avoid impulse last-minute buys, frenzied shoppers, and not finding what you need because its out-of-stock.

5. Cut Back on Extras
Sometimes I find myself spending more than I should on items because it’s the holiday season. However, constant spending on “extras” such as that photo with Santa or a new outfit for that holiday party can really eat away your budget. Before you splurge, make sure that it’s really worth the price.

6. Know When to Stop
When you’ve purchased all of the items on your list, then stop shopping! And once you are done, avoid heading out to the stores just to see what they have and what’s on sale. This can lead to poorly planned purchases and overspending your budget.

7. Remember the Reason for the Season
Keep a Christ-centered Christmas by keeping the spiritual message front and center. This will help during the holiday season so you don’t feel you have to buy items to give out to friends and family. You don’t have to spend money to give a gift. Some of the best gifts are intangible such as offering to watch a friend’s children or baking cookies as a gift for a neighbor. It doesn’t cost much, but the gift is priceless. And one of the best gifts you can give your family during the holidays is to spend time with them rather than running around purchasing gifts and holiday items.

It’s easy to get caught up in the spending cycle during the holidays, but if you have a plan and set a budget, then you don’t need to worry about overspending and racking up a credit card bill that won’t be fun to pay off in January. For our family, it’s made Christmas a lot less stressful when we save for Christmas starting in January. I know it’s sometimes difficult to come up with extra money each month because there is always something that you want or need to buy, but it will be worth it to prioritize and start saving money now for Christmas.

Below are some frugal Christmas gift ideas that you can make for family, friends, or neighbors during the holidays:

17 Christmas Gift Ideas
Frugal Christmas Gift Ideas (Part 1)
Frugal Christmas Gift Ideas (Part 2)
Frugal Christmas Gift Ideas (Part 3)
Frugal Christmas Gift Ideas (Part 4)

How do you save money for the holidays?

 

7 Tips to Save Money Now for Christmas Final

Filed Under: Budgeting, Money-Saving Tips

Comments

  1. Lisa @ Pebbles & Piggytails says

    September 19, 2014 at 7:28 pm

    This is a great list of helps! Gonna start today!

    Reply
  2. Jayleen Zotti says

    September 25, 2014 at 5:37 pm

    It’s a great idea to use a Christmas envelope and save every month! I’m off to check out your frugal Christmas gift ideas!!!

    Reply
  3. Sco says

    March 23, 2018 at 7:36 pm

    There are so many expenses its crazy. Learning how to save money is the key to a happy life.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Weekly momscope: October 6-12 | Momstrology says:
    October 6, 2014 at 4:43 am

    […] where your money is going. Especially with holidays approaching, many families are thinking about how to squirrel away a few extra dollars. You could even look ahead to next year and think about how you could save even more, like this […]

    Reply
  2. 5 Tips How to Shop Black Friday Deals - Saving Cent by Cent says:
    November 7, 2014 at 6:35 pm

    […] might also like to read 7 Tips to Save Money Now for Christmas. Since Christmas is next month, you might not be able to save as much now, but use these tips to […]

    Reply

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Hello, I'm Lisa

I enjoy teaching people how to live frugally so they can live within their means while still enjoying and doing the things in life that matter most to them. I'm here sharing tips about budgeting, saving money, meal planning, simple recipes, and more.

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The KSL TV segment aired this morning! I took @ta The KSL TV segment aired this morning! I took @tamaravaifanua and @derek_photog along with me to the grocery store to do my 2-week grocery shopping.

I shared with them my tips on how I save money grocery shopping. By implementing even 1 or 2 of the tips shared, you will lower the amount of money you spend on groceries. Every little amount helps, especially since food prices have risen. I hope these tips will help you and others to save a little more money at the store.

What is one way you save money on groceries?

https://ksltv.com/520164/utah-mom-shares-grocery-budgeting-tips/

#groceries #grocerybudget #grocerystores #savemoneytips #savingmoney #savingmoneytips #grocerytips #grocerybudgeting #utahmom #utahmomblogger
This morning, I did my 2-week grocery shopping tri This morning, I did my 2-week grocery shopping trip, and @tamaravaifanua and Derek from @kslnews came along with me. 

I shared with them tips on how to save money on groceries and what I do to keep my grocery budget at $625 per month. With the price of food being way up, even I have had to raise my grocery budget this year. But these tips I share can help you to lower your grocery budget. 

This segment will be airing February 2nd at 5:30am. I know that is super early for some of you, so I'll be sure to share a link after it airs.

#ksl #ksltv #grocerybudget #groceryshopping #groceries #grocerystore #grocerylist #groceryhaul #savemoneyonfood #savemoneyongroceries
If you want to keep things running smoothly with y If you want to keep things running smoothly with your budget, then you need to look at and review it weekly, not monthly. 

Every week, check to see how you are doing, if you are on track, or if you have spent too much and gone over budget. This is the time to re-adjust what you are doing in order to stay on track or get back on track.

Use the link to check out more tips on how to budget, plus get a free budget worksheet.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2021/01/05/how-to-create-a-budget-free-budget-worksheet/

#budget #budgetweekly #budgetmonthly #weeklybudget #weeklybudgeting #monthlybudget #monthlybudgeting #spendingplan #howtobudget #howtobudgetmoney #howtobudget101 #howtobudgetyourmoney #howtobudgetandsave
It's important to take care of your needs and the It's important to take care of your needs and the needs of your family first. So before you spend any money, make sure that your martgage/rent, food/groceries, utilities, and transportation are taken care of first. 

Message me or use the link to get the free budget worksheet to help you manage your expenses.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2021/01/05/how-to-create-a-budget-free-budget-worksheet/
When you are creating a budget, write down your to When you are creating a budget, write down your total income from your paycheck, then list out and minus all of your expenses that you need to pay from that paycheck. Allocate every dollar to a category, whether it is paying off debt or saving money.This becomes is a zero-based budget.

To keep track of your budget and what you actually spend, use the link below or message me for a FREE budget worksheet to get you started.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2021/01/05/how-to-create-a-budget-free-budget-worksheet/

#budgeting #budgeting101 #budgettips
#budget #budgetworksheet #budgetbypaycheck #budgetingtips #createabudget #budgettip
I re-did the spice cupboard in my kitchen and put I re-did the spice cupboard in my kitchen and put in new spice racks, and I love it! The cupboard is now clean, organized, and more functional. I labeled the spice containers so that when I pull out the spice rack, I can actually see and find the spices more quickly that I need for my meals.

Before these spice racks, the cupboard was disorganized. I would reach to the back and grab a random bottle to see if it was what I needed and then put it back if it wasn't, and then try that again until I found the spice I needed. Now, I don't have to deal with that anymore, and I can easily find what I need.

If you need to organize your spices, check out these spice racks.

https://amzn.to/3Gcp5ly

(Affiliate link)

#spices #spicerack #spiceracks #spicecupboard #spiceorganization #
The KSL TV segment aired this morning! I took @ta The KSL TV segment aired this morning! I took @tamaravaifanua and @derek_photog along with me to the grocery store to do my 2-week grocery shopping.

I shared with them my tips on how I save money grocery shopping. By implementing even 1 or 2 of the tips shared, you will lower the amount of money you spend on groceries. Every little amount helps, especially since food prices have risen. I hope these tips will help you and others to save a little more money at the store.

What is one way you save money on groceries?

https://ksltv.com/520164/utah-mom-shares-grocery-budgeting-tips/

#groceries #grocerybudget #grocerystores #savemoneytips #savingmoney #savingmoneytips #grocerytips #grocerybudgeting #utahmom #utahmomblogger
This morning, I did my 2-week grocery shopping tri This morning, I did my 2-week grocery shopping trip, and @tamaravaifanua and Derek from @kslnews came along with me. 

I shared with them tips on how to save money on groceries and what I do to keep my grocery budget at $625 per month. With the price of food being way up, even I have had to raise my grocery budget this year. But these tips I share can help you to lower your grocery budget. 

This segment will be airing February 2nd at 5:30am. I know that is super early for some of you, so I'll be sure to share a link after it airs.

#ksl #ksltv #grocerybudget #groceryshopping #groceries #grocerystore #grocerylist #groceryhaul #savemoneyonfood #savemoneyongroceries
If you want to keep things running smoothly with y If you want to keep things running smoothly with your budget, then you need to look at and review it weekly, not monthly. 

Every week, check to see how you are doing, if you are on track, or if you have spent too much and gone over budget. This is the time to re-adjust what you are doing in order to stay on track or get back on track.

Use the link to check out more tips on how to budget, plus get a free budget worksheet.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2021/01/05/how-to-create-a-budget-free-budget-worksheet/

#budget #budgetweekly #budgetmonthly #weeklybudget #weeklybudgeting #monthlybudget #monthlybudgeting #spendingplan #howtobudget #howtobudgetmoney #howtobudget101 #howtobudgetyourmoney #howtobudgetandsave
It's important to take care of your needs and the It's important to take care of your needs and the needs of your family first. So before you spend any money, make sure that your martgage/rent, food/groceries, utilities, and transportation are taken care of first. 

Message me or use the link to get the free budget worksheet to help you manage your expenses.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2021/01/05/how-to-create-a-budget-free-budget-worksheet/
When you are creating a budget, write down your to When you are creating a budget, write down your total income from your paycheck, then list out and minus all of your expenses that you need to pay from that paycheck. Allocate every dollar to a category, whether it is paying off debt or saving money.This becomes is a zero-based budget.

To keep track of your budget and what you actually spend, use the link below or message me for a FREE budget worksheet to get you started.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2021/01/05/how-to-create-a-budget-free-budget-worksheet/

#budgeting #budgeting101 #budgettips
#budget #budgetworksheet #budgetbypaycheck #budgetingtips #createabudget #budgettip
I re-did the spice cupboard in my kitchen and put I re-did the spice cupboard in my kitchen and put in new spice racks, and I love it! The cupboard is now clean, organized, and more functional. I labeled the spice containers so that when I pull out the spice rack, I can actually see and find the spices more quickly that I need for my meals.

Before these spice racks, the cupboard was disorganized. I would reach to the back and grab a random bottle to see if it was what I needed and then put it back if it wasn't, and then try that again until I found the spice I needed. Now, I don't have to deal with that anymore, and I can easily find what I need.

If you need to organize your spices, check out these spice racks.

https://amzn.to/3Gcp5ly

(Affiliate link)

#spices #spicerack #spiceracks #spicecupboard #spiceorganization #
The KSL TV segment aired this morning! I took @ta The KSL TV segment aired this morning! I took @tamaravaifanua and @derek_photog along with me to the grocery store to do my 2-week grocery shopping.

I shared with them my tips on how I save money grocery shopping. By implementing even 1 or 2 of the tips shared, you will lower the amount of money you spend on groceries. Every little amount helps, especially since food prices have risen. I hope these tips will help you and others to save a little more money at the store.

What is one way you save money on groceries?

https://ksltv.com/520164/utah-mom-shares-grocery-budgeting-tips/

#groceries #grocerybudget #grocerystores #savemoneytips #savingmoney #savingmoneytips #grocerytips #grocerybudgeting #utahmom #utahmomblogger
This morning, I did my 2-week grocery shopping tri This morning, I did my 2-week grocery shopping trip, and @tamaravaifanua and Derek from @kslnews came along with me. 

I shared with them tips on how to save money on groceries and what I do to keep my grocery budget at $625 per month. With the price of food being way up, even I have had to raise my grocery budget this year. But these tips I share can help you to lower your grocery budget. 

This segment will be airing February 2nd at 5:30am. I know that is super early for some of you, so I'll be sure to share a link after it airs.

#ksl #ksltv #grocerybudget #groceryshopping #groceries #grocerystore #grocerylist #groceryhaul #savemoneyonfood #savemoneyongroceries
If you want to keep things running smoothly with y If you want to keep things running smoothly with your budget, then you need to look at and review it weekly, not monthly. 

Every week, check to see how you are doing, if you are on track, or if you have spent too much and gone over budget. This is the time to re-adjust what you are doing in order to stay on track or get back on track.

Use the link to check out more tips on how to budget, plus get a free budget worksheet.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2021/01/05/how-to-create-a-budget-free-budget-worksheet/

#budget #budgetweekly #budgetmonthly #weeklybudget #weeklybudgeting #monthlybudget #monthlybudgeting #spendingplan #howtobudget #howtobudgetmoney #howtobudget101 #howtobudgetyourmoney #howtobudgetandsave
It's important to take care of your needs and the It's important to take care of your needs and the needs of your family first. So before you spend any money, make sure that your martgage/rent, food/groceries, utilities, and transportation are taken care of first. 

Message me or use the link to get the free budget worksheet to help you manage your expenses.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2021/01/05/how-to-create-a-budget-free-budget-worksheet/
When you are creating a budget, write down your to When you are creating a budget, write down your total income from your paycheck, then list out and minus all of your expenses that you need to pay from that paycheck. Allocate every dollar to a category, whether it is paying off debt or saving money.This becomes is a zero-based budget.

To keep track of your budget and what you actually spend, use the link below or message me for a FREE budget worksheet to get you started.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2021/01/05/how-to-create-a-budget-free-budget-worksheet/

#budgeting #budgeting101 #budgettips
#budget #budgetworksheet #budgetbypaycheck #budgetingtips #createabudget #budgettip
I re-did the spice cupboard in my kitchen and put I re-did the spice cupboard in my kitchen and put in new spice racks, and I love it! The cupboard is now clean, organized, and more functional. I labeled the spice containers so that when I pull out the spice rack, I can actually see and find the spices more quickly that I need for my meals.

Before these spice racks, the cupboard was disorganized. I would reach to the back and grab a random bottle to see if it was what I needed and then put it back if it wasn't, and then try that again until I found the spice I needed. Now, I don't have to deal with that anymore, and I can easily find what I need.

If you need to organize your spices, check out these spice racks.

https://amzn.to/3Gcp5ly

(Affiliate link)

#spices #spicerack #spiceracks #spicecupboard #spiceorganization #

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