5 Practical Tips To Avoid Overspending this Holiday Season

Christmas is the time where we can see abundance in food and gifts. This is the time of getting along with families and time where we take breaks from our work. This is also the time where we usually get broke after the celebration. That's why we should not set aside our budget planning.

I have listed down the following tips that may help you avoid overspending this holiday season and will help you establish your budget.

1. Plan ahead and list down all your needs before going for a shopping, even from the smallest details that you need to get from the store.
   
   Allocate what's for food, for gifts and even for Christmas decors, this can give you limit as to how much you're going to spend. Also listing down your needs will help you save time of going around the store.
   
   The smartest way to do it is to plan it ahead before or during the first week of December. Post your list on your refrigerator and if you remember something that you need to buy write it down. Before going to shop, run through your checklist and check pantry staples.


2. Stick to your list and don't buy unnecessary things and look for some discounted items.
   Take advantage of the discounts in the stores, if you heard that a specific grocery store is having their big Christmas sale, then go ahead and take your list with you.


3. Avoid using credit card.
   If you do, before you know it you'll be starting your new year with a mountainous heap of bills.


4. When choosing what's for presents, opt for an affordable gifts. Also don't choose gifts for each individual, buy sets that you can divide later on.
   It's not how expensive your gifts that counts, it's the thought of giving. A home made gift is another good idea and less expensive, like writing a Christmas card, or baking cookies.


5. Don't wait for the last minute to strike.
   If you have enough money to buy some of the gifts now, then do that.
   
   Non-perishable items can be bought early to avoid the pressure cause by the last-minute rush and long lines of the counter. This will also save your time being in the crowded store. 

Hopefully this list will help you manage to get through Holiday without being smothered by the expenses. 

Merry Christmas everyone!