Christmas budgeting
Posted 1 December 10The count-down is on! 25 days & counting. Here’s an article with
a great reminder to keep our Christmas spending in perspective.
Splurge and spoil away, but don’t let your Christmas hangover be
a financial one. Planning is the key to keeping a handle on money
at this time of the year. It’s not just presents that threaten to blow the budget – parties, concerts, costumes and celebrations all take a chunk. Add those chunks together and you could find yourself facing serious debt when the bills roll in.
With a little bit of savvy shopping, however, you can do it all. Think long-term when it comes to Christmas presents. Shop throughout the year, especially at sale time, and put those items away until gift wrapping begins.
Alternatively, put together a savings plan and stick to it. There’s no point in buying ahead if you end up buying ‘must haves’ at the same time – if you think that’s you, saving is the way to go. Make a list of everyone you’d like to buy for. If you’re running over a page, you might like to look at some of our great ideas for home-made presents!
Once you’ve whittled your list down to something manageable, think carefully about what you’d like to buy, then match it with what you can afford. Don’t feel pressured into buying kids everything they want – we all have our limit, and a little guilt now is easier to handle than a lot of debt later. Above all, Christmas is about fun, so keep a bit of party money in the budget: that way, you can spoil yourself as well.
www.homelife.com.au/life+ideas/money+finance/budget+tip+christmas+shopping,4821
image: Filomena Scalise / www.freedigitalphotos.net
http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=851
