10 Ways You Can Enjoy the Holidays On a Budget
With all the parties, gift giving, travelling, and alcohol (not to mention alcohol and alcohol) (and booze) it can be all too easy to start the New Year in debt. But celebrating the end of the year doesn’t have to result in the end of your savings account — check out our tips to make this holiday season the cheapest, easiest, and most fun yet.
1. Shop Online
If you’ve got a few days up your sleeve, practically every gift is cheaper online. Sure, there are some exceptions (anything remotely heavy will guarantee the Christmas gift of exorbitant shipping fees), but in most cases, shopping online can save loads of cash. This is especially true if multiple items are bought from the same vendor, which cuts down shipping costs.
You know how nearly every time an order is completed online there’s a little box for a discount code, in case the company is having a special offer? Sites like RetailMeNot and Honey compile these codes so that anyone can take advantage of little-known sales.
3. Know How to Compare Prices
Always find out what competitors are charging by comparing the prices on Amazon, Google shopping, Shopzilla, Pronto, and eBay. When shopping in the real world (some people still do that!) take a picture of an item’s barcode and upload it to an app like ShopSavvy for a speedy online comparison.
5. Shop With Friends
If you can convince some friends to buy from the same place as you, it opens up a whole new world of discounts. Groupon, LivingSocial, and BuyWithMe are great places to get started. Deals can change daily, but check the fine print to make sure no one’s being saddled with tough restrictions or extra fees.
6. Be Social Media Savvy
Follow your favorite stores on Twitter and like them on Facebook to keep up to date on any special deals. This is good advice year round — Victoria’s Secret, for instance, likes to randomly give out coupons for free underwear. Believe!
7. Buy Second-Hand
It’s good for the planet and really good for the wallet. While used dental floss or underwear don’t make the best gifts, there’s no reason not to buy items like weights, books, or even furniture and clothing on Craigslist or eBay (or from a thrift shop, if those things still exist). It might not be wise to buy electronics, though — there’s no warranty on a second-hand iPhone!
9. Stick to a Budget
This is important for every category on this list, but it bears emphasis: Decide how much to spend and stick to it. Even if the best deal on Earth presents itself during a shopping spree (“I’ve never seen a cheaper birdbath!”), don’t buy anything just because it’s cheap. A good way to keep a lid on spending is to buy yourself a gift card and shop with that — leave the rest of your wallet at home!
10. Shop at Outlet Stores
Shopping for clothes online always comes with the risk that the item won’t fit properly and will need to be shipped back and forth until it does. Outlet stores often sell clothing for prices similar to what you might find on the Internet, and it’s always comforting to know exactly what you’ve purchased.
