The holiday season brings a flurry of festivities, giving, and memorable moments with family, friends and loved ones.
That said, no matter how early you start planning, it seems like there’s always a few last-minute items to cross off your holiday checklist. Here are some tips to keep the stress at a minimum during the final weeks of the year.
Holiday Checklist
1. Continually Reference Your Budget
Last-minute gifts and gatherings can be stressful not only on you, but also your wallet. Referring to a pre-established budget is a great way to keep your spending in check! This year in particular, it might be necessary to tweak your budget to account for the rising costs in gifts, food and gas. Evaluate what you’ve spent so far and how much money you have left to spend on last-minute gifts. Accurately tracking your spending throughout the entirety of the holiday season can help you avoid overspending on last-minute items.
2. Make your Purchases Work for You
Being smart about how and where you spend your money can make a huge difference to your bottom line. Take an inventory of what credit cards you have and determine which ones might be running reward programs or cashback incentives.
Having assessed your cards, you can strategically charge certain purchases on certain cards to help maximize your savings and your budget.
Many retailers are also now offering buy now, pay later payment plans to cover big ticket items – and sometimes even smaller purchases.
Taking advantage of money saving apps can also provide an additional boost to your holiday savings. Look for apps that offer rewards and incentives for shopping at specific stores and retailers. You can even use apps or websites to look for additional coupons and discounts for those items.
3. Check Out Online Deals
With the countdown clock ticking on your holiday checklist, making it to the store might not be possible with your busy schedule. Cut out the travel time and the hassle of crowds, and save on gas by checking last-minute online deals.
Many big-name retailers offer free holiday shipping incentives. Shopping online also gives you the convenience to multitask and can be done from the comfort of your own home.
You also have the upper hand when it comes to comparing prices when you buy online. You can easily browse several sites at once and see what place is offering the best deal or sales. That way when you hit purchase, you know you’re getting the best bang for your buck!
When shopping online (or in person for that matter) it’s important to be aware of personal and financial safety. Check out the Next Step Webinar: Protect Yourself While Holiday Shopping webinar for tips on how to prevent thieves and hackers from stealing the joy of the season.
4. When in Doubt, Go D.I.Y!
If you’re struggling to come up with a last-minute gift idea or simply don’t have any more wiggle room in your budget, consider a homemade gift for a friend or loved one. Start by looking around your home for inspiration. Take inventory of things you can repurpose, such as picture frames, photos, candles or other items you can include in a gift basket. A cheery holiday card can go a long way, too.
5. Choose to Give Back
This season is a great time to put the craziness of your own to-do holiday checklist aside for a moment and think about those in need. Consider volunteering your time at a soup kitchen or donate to a local or national charity of your choice. This can also be a great opportunity to involve the whole family. Have your kids help you research nonprofits in your area and make giving back a family tradition.
Regardless of how much you prepare for the holidays, chances are a few things may still need to be taken care of at the last minute. By following the steps above, you can work towards making the holidays a season filled with cheer rather than stress!
For more budgeting and saving tips for the holiday season, visit the Next Step Holiday Resource Center at Regions.com/NextStepHoliday.
Regions Next Step. Advice, guidance and tools to help you break down any financial goal into manageable and achievable steps and inspire you to be proactive in pursuing your goals and dreams.