The holidays can be crazy busy and expensive. Here are a few of my ideas. Its hard to save for holiday gifts, so when you see things on sales throughout the year take advantage of seasonal sales. Buy an artificial tree instead of a real one & reuse it every years and saves a ton! Gift cards keep your spending in line with your budget because they are for an exact amount and save on returns because you get them at all their favorite stores. Bake cookies or other holiday treats for friends and neighbors saves on money & they will love the thoughtful treats. Most people have email, so send e-cards and save on postage. Don't scrimp on a holiday party, just host a potluck an draw names for your gift exchange
We limit gifts to one per child and try to make it something meaningful yet inexpensive. We also do simple holiday activities, eg decorating homemade gingerbread houses, looking at Christmas lights in the neighborhood, and spending quality time family and friends.
I am trying to get into the library field, but it is very competitive.
I have had applications in with my city and library systems for years (I live in a city that's in the top ten of populations nationwide), and I am constantly applying when those applications expire, but I never get called. And that's after being put on the "eligible" list.
I keep trying and I'm working toward getting an LSSC credential for library technicians. Putting this on my applications so far has not made a difference, though. I have a B.A. and have worked freelance in editing for 30 years. I'm a voracious reader as well and keep up with the industry, but I can't get my foot in the door.
I stay frugal during the holidays by not traveling. I also save by doing a potluck for Thanksgiving and only giving homemade baked goods as Christmas gifts.
I try to buy gifts ahead of time or make as many presents as I can. Just the other day I bought some craft supplies to start working on some scarves as a Christmas gift for friends. Handmade food or cards make great gifts!
I try to hit store sales in advance and then join a gift exchange at work so I don't have to buy presents for everyone. We do the same thing with my group of cousins. It cuts down on the gift giving but we still get together and hang out which is what the season should be about.
We buy for kids only. Once they finish college they start to buy gifts for the younger ones. We set a price limit too. This way no one gets overwhelmed with shopping and spending.
We set a budget at the beginning of the shopping season, save up during the year, and make sure we stick to it so that the credit card bill is not a shock when it arrives. There is money already set aside, so there's no worries.
I like to buy during the year when an item is on sale. These are generally stocking stuffers. Then one package to open because everyone wants a gift to open. But the best gift is a nice check or gift card to a favorite place.
Always, always make a budget! Don't forget teachers, bus drivers, co-workers, etc. I use survey websites to earn gift cards for my purchases and also make a lot of gifts. The key is to plan way ahead, so there are no last minute purchases that blow the budget. I stopped doing Christmas cards -it is not environmentally friendly to begin with. I do all my wrapping in gift bags that are kept and reused.
We have a list of who we're buying presents for and how much to spend on each of them. We stick to the list as best we can and leave a little room for unexpected gifts, such as work or church.
My kids are older, so they want gift cards. We use credit card rewards as much as we can. The adults on one side give to charity instead of each other and on the other side of the family, we pull names.
We give our kids three gifts, no exceptions. This lowers the expense drastically, and we aren't frantically attempting to buy every whim and desire. Our adult family exchanges names and the price limit is $20...win, win! We have dinner with extended family and enjoy their company without gifts. As we grow olde, our budget has become smaller and we focus on the important parts of the season.
I buy all my gift cards for recipients by early September and hide them away, I don't have to hassle about any gifts for anyone come December..I allocate the money all thru the year for the recipients..Having two birthdays one in late late October and one in early November takes me off my frugalness, one is the hubs the other our only child and I am done for the year, no hassles whatsoever & the people who get the gift cards can use them after Christmas sales in January and get really great deals!
The holidays can be crazy busy and expensive. Here are a few of my ideas. Its hard to save for holiday gifts, so when you see things on sales throughout the year take advantage of seasonal sales. Buy an artificial tree instead of a real one & reuse it every years and saves a ton! Gift cards keep your spending in line with your budget because they are for an exact amount and save on returns because you get them at all their favorite stores. Bake cookies or other holiday treats for friends and neighbors saves on money & they will love the thoughtful treats. Most people have email, so send e-cards and save on postage. Don't scrimp on a holiday party, just host a potluck an draw names for your gift exchange
We limit gifts to one per child and try to make it something meaningful yet inexpensive. We also do simple holiday activities, eg decorating homemade gingerbread houses, looking at Christmas lights in the neighborhood, and spending quality time family and friends.
I am trying to get into the library field, but it is very competitive.
I have had applications in with my city and library systems for years (I live in a city that's in the top ten of populations nationwide), and I am constantly applying when those applications expire, but I never get called. And that's after being put on the "eligible" list.
I keep trying and I'm working toward getting an LSSC credential for library technicians. Putting this on my applications so far has not made a difference, though. I have a B.A. and have worked freelance in editing for 30 years. I'm a voracious reader as well and keep up with the industry, but I can't get my foot in the door.
I stay frugal during the holidays by not traveling. I also save by doing a potluck for Thanksgiving and only giving homemade baked goods as Christmas gifts.
I try to buy gifts ahead of time or make as many presents as I can. Just the other day I bought some craft supplies to start working on some scarves as a Christmas gift for friends. Handmade food or cards make great gifts!
Check out fall artist markets or bazaars. Find eclectic items like handmade jewelry, pottery, or artwork for a reasonable price!
I try to hit store sales in advance and then join a gift exchange at work so I don't have to buy presents for everyone. We do the same thing with my group of cousins. It cuts down on the gift giving but we still get together and hang out which is what the season should be about.
We buy for kids only. Once they finish college they start to buy gifts for the younger ones. We set a price limit too. This way no one gets overwhelmed with shopping and spending.
We set a budget at the beginning of the shopping season, save up during the year, and make sure we stick to it so that the credit card bill is not a shock when it arrives. There is money already set aside, so there's no worries.
I stay frugal during the holiday season by shopping early and price matching great deals.
I stick to a budget and shop year round for deals and don't wait until the holiday season.
I try to buy as things are on sale. I have already started, and will continue throughout the holiday season:)
I like to buy during the year when an item is on sale. These are generally stocking stuffers. Then one package to open because everyone wants a gift to open. But the best gift is a nice check or gift card to a favorite place.
I always shop saws and pair coupons if possible. I also start early when shopping. Clearance is my best friend!
Always, always make a budget! Don't forget teachers, bus drivers, co-workers, etc. I use survey websites to earn gift cards for my purchases and also make a lot of gifts. The key is to plan way ahead, so there are no last minute purchases that blow the budget. I stopped doing Christmas cards -it is not environmentally friendly to begin with. I do all my wrapping in gift bags that are kept and reused.
I go in on gifts with my parents with my siblings so they can get something nicer but we don't have to spend a ton individually.
I shop months in advance and look for marked down items at stores and online to find great prices on Christmas gifts for my family.
We have a list of who we're buying presents for and how much to spend on each of them. We stick to the list as best we can and leave a little room for unexpected gifts, such as work or church.
My kids are older, so they want gift cards. We use credit card rewards as much as we can. The adults on one side give to charity instead of each other and on the other side of the family, we pull names.
I stay frugal by buying holiday food and décor using coupons
I use coupons as much as possible & take advantage of store sales.
We give our kids three gifts, no exceptions. This lowers the expense drastically, and we aren't frantically attempting to buy every whim and desire. Our adult family exchanges names and the price limit is $20...win, win! We have dinner with extended family and enjoy their company without gifts. As we grow olde, our budget has become smaller and we focus on the important parts of the season.
I just try to save throughout the year so that I don't have to worry about missing out when the holidays come
I buy all my gift cards for recipients by early September and hide them away, I don't have to hassle about any gifts for anyone come December..I allocate the money all thru the year for the recipients..Having two birthdays one in late late October and one in early November takes me off my frugalness, one is the hubs the other our only child and I am done for the year, no hassles whatsoever & the people who get the gift cards can use them after Christmas sales in January and get really great deals!
I do a lot of cooking and baking from scratch and try to avoid eating at restaurants.