Xmas is an interesting time of year. Its a time where we spend time with family and friends and most of us get to have a holiday. Its also the time of year which is the most stressful financially for so many people. Good planning well ahead of time can greatly reduce our finanacial stress however that is often far easier said than done. Here are some tips that you might find useful to help make your money go futher:
- Have a look through websites and see what bargains are available. There are a number of special discount sites that are now available like www.grabone.co.nz or www.treatme.co.nz
- Start buying for Christmas as soon as you can so you make the best of the sales
- Check your credit card or other loyalty programmes to see what gifts you can trade your points for.
- Scope out your job perks – does you company have any deals that you can utilise for Christmas.
- Look for two-for-one deals – are there any that would be ideal for gifts, i.e. buy one magazine subscription and get another for free.
- The gift of photos – you do have any doting grandparents on your list? Make photo albums with pictures of your children. With the latest technology you get a really professional product for a reasonable price.
- Re-gift it – carefully of course – the item has to be in perfect shape, you have to remember who gave it to you (heaven forbid you return it back to the original giver) and it has to be a better fit for your recipient than it was for you.
- Check out garage sales – we don’t have as many as we used to before the internet but you may find some great bargains.
- Clean out your cupboards – how many of us have bought things that we have never used, maybe you will find something that will make a great gift.
- Bring out your culinary skills – with home baking becoming rare because many of us are too busy, people love to receive home made cookies, preserves, jams etc.
