With Christmas just around the corner – or many months away if you’re not reading this in November, but still a concern in July– you’re probably wondering how you’re going to plan this one without destroying your bank account. You’re comfortably off, but you’re just not seeing how you can buy presents for multiple family members – especially not ones they’ll like – and still break even at the end of it.
Well, we’re here to help. We’ve compiled a list of tips, tricks, and ways to make a little extra money on the side to help you through even the toughest Christmas. If you’re looking to “hack” your Christmas and save yourself some cash, this list is for you. Please do seek financial help if you feel you need it. Without further ado, here are our tips on how to fund Christmas without breaking the bank.
Find a second income source
You don’t have to pick up an entire second job if you want to make Christmas more comfortable for yourself. Instead, it’s worth trying to find something that will help you make a little extra money. Blogging, personal tutoring, and even selling creative craft stuff on Etsy will all help you. It might also pay to look off the beaten path to find something a little more unconventional.
A key example of this would be online betting. You might think that online betting would lose you money rather than make it for you, but with a solid strategy and a restrained approach, this doesn’t have to be the case. If you’re looking for somewhere to start, why not try Novibet UK online casino? They’ve got a range of games, a welcoming atmosphere, and a good selection of bonuses.
Start planning early
Many people’s Christmases fall apart because they don’t start planning how they’re going to spend their money until November rolls around. This is a mistake; by knowing exactly what you’re going to get for family members and friends as early as possible, you’re sidestepping not only your money problems but also potentially massively crowded High Street environments.
So, how do you plan what you want to get them? If you’re thinking that something might come along in November or December that they would love and you won’t have planned for it, there’s an easy fix: allocate money instead of presents. Don’t think in terms of physical objects, but rather in terms of how much you’re going to spend on each person. That way, you only need a vague idea of what you think they’ll like.
Create a strict budget
Most of us aren’t particularly good at creating and sticking to strict budgets. We’ll start off with good intentions, but before long we’re wandering, thinking about how we can cheat the budget and get away with it. We’re only kidding ourselves when we do this, so one of the best ways to keep your eye on your money this Christmas is to create and adhere to a budget, provided you don’t cheat.
That means making a few sacrifices, unfortunately. You’ll need to budget for everything, including when you can go out and how much you can spend when you do so. If a friend invites you out for an impromptu drink or trip, only say yes if you know you can stretch to it within the budget. If you haven’t allocated it or planned for it, then you need to say no, because that’s the only way you can save money.
Look for savings and buy own-brand
Year-round, one of the most effective ways to save money for Christmas is to change up your food and amenity shopping habits. Rather than opting for your favourite brand every time, why not take a look at the own-brand supermarket alternative? You’d be amazed at how little difference you can actually tell if you strip away the labels. Most brands can be replaced with own-brand stuff if you’re diligent.
That doesn’t have to go for everything. If there’s a brand you’re absolutely attached to and you can’t imagine deviating from it, then you can keep that brand in your budget. Just make sure that you’re making concessions and changes elsewhere. Own-brand products can be significantly cheaper than major brands, and they’re usually just as good, so making the switch benefits you in more ways than one.
Talk to your friends and family
If you’re struggling to create the kind of extravagant, generous Christmas atmosphere you usually foster, then talk to your friends and family. Do they really need the party you put on every year? Would a smaller, more intimate arrangement be acceptable? Is there any way you can downsize the amount of food you’re serving without scrimping on quality or guest satisfaction?
Better yet, if you’re the perennial Christmas host, why not ask if anyone else could host you? The rules and recommendations for being a Christmas guest can be just as difficult to follow as those for being a host, but the stress and the financial obligation of planning and serving the dinner and creating the entertainment are no longer your concern.
