Budgeting Tips To Not Break The Bank This Christmas

With the festive season well and truly in full swing, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to share some of my budgeting tips to not break the bank this Christmas.

I am by default a naturally generous person, and so sticking to a budget for Christmas, birthdays and other occasions has always been something I’ve struggled with. Over time (and through doing the money mindset work), there are a few practices I’ve put in place to still be able to enjoy the festive season and deliver beautiful Christmas gifts, without breaking the bank.

DETERMINE WHAT YOU VALUE

One of the most useful practices I’ve developed when it comes to financial decisions, is deciding what I value spending my money on. For example, I enjoy going out and eating quality food at restaurants with friends, however I’m not interested in going to mediocre places end eating mediocre food. I would happily forgo Uber eats or dining out every night to go somewhere I actually enjoy once a week, or once a fortnight.

Determine what you value, and start consciously deciding on the things that you want to invest in, and the things you are willing to forgo.

ALLOCATE A BUDGET

If you have a tendency to overspend on Christmas gifts, there is merit in setting a budget. For example, your budget for Christmas gifts could be $1000. Having an allocated budget ahead of time, can save you from overspending and getting yourself into credit card debt.

If you have a smaller budget to work with, consider having upfront conversations with family and friends. Mutually agree whether or not the expectation is to purchase gifts for each other. Perhaps you could propose a Secret Santa option, or celebrate with a day trip or other experience at a later date.

WRITE A LIST

One of the best ways to stick to your budget, is to write a list of all the people you need to purchase a gift for, and allocate a budget next to each persons name. Set a challenge for yourself to find a beautiful gift for each person on your list, whilst sticking to your budget. This is a great way of keeping track of your expenses, and ensuring that you don’t overspend.

TAKE PRIDE IN THE PRESENTATION

Small details can go a long way when it comes to gifts. Things like personalisation, framed photos, hand written notes and home baked goods can all be well-received as thoughtful gifts, and don’t have to cost a pretty penny. Utilise your creativity and think outside the box when it comes to how you present your gifts.

One of the best decisions I made last year was to purchase wrapping paper, ribbons, tissue paper etc. from an online wholesaler. By purchasing these items in bulk, you can take pride in beautifully wrapping and presenting your gifts, for a fraction of the price you would pay from a premium retailer.

BUDGETING TIPS TO NOT BREAK THE BANK

What are some of the ways you keep control of your spending over the festive season? I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas, please leave your comments below!