How to Avoid Overspending at the Holidays
The holidays are at once a joyous time as well as a stressful time. The happiness and contentment that being with family and friends brings is often countered by the anxiety caused by gift giving. If you want to keep up the holiday spirt without breaking the bank, here are a few handy tips:
1. Plan in advance. By knowing who you are buying gifts for and what you hope to buy for them, you will have more incentive to stick to a budget and only buy what you really want to.
2. Don't procrastinate! Waiting until the day before Christmas to buy your presents is tempting, but it can also end up costing you far more money. Stores know that last minute present buyers are desperate, so they have little to no incentive to discount their products. Similarly, if you wait too long to mail a package, you will end up having to pay more for shipping.
3. You don't have to buy a present for everyone you know. Often, acquaintances stick to exchanging cards or do not swap presents at all. By buying presents for people with whom you aren't particularly close, you not only spend more money, but you also compel the gift receiver to spend more money, as he or she may feel obligated to reciprocate.
4. Simple, homemade gifts save a bundle! Especially for those who have many recipients on their gift list, doing something simple like making festive cookies or decorating plain stationary can be a great, personal gift that doesn't have to be expensive. As a bonus, most crafts make large quantities, so you can give more presents!
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