{"id":6945,"date":"2023-11-26T09:33:11","date_gmt":"2023-11-26T14:33:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/talk.talktotucker.com\/?p=6945"},"modified":"2023-11-26T09:33:13","modified_gmt":"2023-11-26T14:33:13","slug":"unwrapping-the-savings-4-tips-for-saving-money-during-the-holidays","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/talk.talktotucker.com\/family-life\/unwrapping-the-savings-4-tips-for-saving-money-during-the-holidays\/","title":{"rendered":"Unwrapping the Savings: 4 Tips for Saving Money During the Holidays"},"content":{"rendered":"
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While the holiday season is full of joyful celebrations and giving, it\u2019s painfully easy to go overboard \u2013 and over budget \u2013 with the holiday shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After all, all those boxes and bows (plus the things that go in them), festive decorations and elaborate feasts come at a price. If you aren\u2019t mindful about your spending, you can end up depleting your cash or maxing out your credit cards. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The sooner you start your holiday shopping, the better. Procrastination usually ends in a mad rush to the finish, which can trigger stress and impulse buying. If you want to avoid the financial \u201choliday hangover,\u201d there are some practical ways that you can navigate seasonal spending while still keeping your piggy bank intact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1. Set a Realistic Budget<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You can\u2019t control your spending without a budget. Take a deep dive into your financial situation and look at how much cash you can reasonably siphon away from other expenses. You don\u2019t <\/em>want to skip the mortgage payment to fund your celebrations, of course, but there\u2019s nothing wrong with prioritizing a few holiday gifts over dinner night with your partner when you\u2019re counting your dimes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s the little things that can add up fast, so don\u2019t forget to include them in your budget. If you\u2019re traveling for the holidays, make sure you factor the cost of the trip into your plan. If you absolutely must have a new outfit for the big family gathering, add that in, too. Can\u2019t imagine not sending holiday cards to your extended family and friends? It\u2019s okay to spend your money however you want \u2013 but be conscious of where your dollars are allocated and prioritize.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ideally, you want to only use ready funds \u2013 not your credit cards. If you do plan to use your cards (which happens to the best of us), make sure that you use them as minimally as possible and have an actual plan for how fast you can pay them back off. This will keep you from having \u201cbuyer\u2019s regret\u201d once the season is over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2. Create a Detailed Wish List<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Just like Santa, you need to make a list and check it twice \u2013 only you\u2019re not worried about who has been naughty or nice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you tend to be generous of spirit (and wallet), you may need to trim back your gift list a little. Here are some ways to do it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n