There’s no escaping the thrill of the festive season.
However, we enter into one of the most demanding shopping months of the year, the bright lights of the festive season also come with a very real fear of overspending for many.
According to figures released by comparison site, Finder, presents make up 53% of total spending at Christmas time, with the average person spending almost half of their budget on children.
But regardless of what side you’re on, that doesn’t mean you can’t be savvy with your Christmas shopping.
Top seven tips for shopping smart this Christmas.
- Cashback Christmas
You could save yourself a bundle with cashback. Free sites such as Topcashback or Quidco allow you to shop on your store of choice and get some cashback from whatever you buy.
If you want to make the most of this, you can also opt for premium memberships for just £5, which can give you better cashback rates and bigger bonuses. You do have to reach a certain amount to be able to cash out, but it can be a great little present to yourself once you’ve finished shopping.
- Shop in stages
It’s all too easy to end up overspending when you do all your Christmas shopping in one go, mostly because you either lose track or get pulled in by the deals. This is especially common to those who panic buy at the last minute.
Doing your Christmas shopping in smaller amounts will help you to stick to your budget. This, in turn, will help you to avoid going in blind once you hit the shops or the internet.
- 0% credit cards
We generally advise avoiding using credit cards as much as possible when it comes to Christmas. However, if you do have to go down this route, the best thing to do is use a 0% credit card.
This type of card charges no interest on any purchases you make for a set amount of time – usually the first 20 to 30 months. However, you’ll need to clear the balance before this period ends as the interest rate can be quite high.
Get debt help now- Make a list and check it twice
When you’ve got a lot of presents to buy, it’s easy to lose track of your spending. To help combat this, we suggest making a list of everything you’ve bought, how much it cost and who it’s for – and don’t forget to check it twice.
This helps prevent you from accidentally buying a gift for someone you’ve already bought for, which in turn can help you avoid overspending and stay within budget.
- Shop around
The first deal you find isn’t always the best one available, especially when it comes to shopping online. Do your research and shop around multiple stores to find the best deal possible and save yourself some cash.
You can do this through websites such as Pricerunner.co.uk, Kelkoo or even Google shopping. This way you can find the best price for an item without having to go through all the websites to find it.
- Homemade gifts
This is an age-old money-saving method, especially since it’s the thought that counts. Why not choose to gift some handmade presents for the special people in your life this year.
The extra effort will go a long way, and your loved ones are sure to appreciate it – plus you’ll save yourself some much needed money that could be put towards your Christmas dinner.
- Stick to a budget
This is perhaps the easiest and effective thing to do when it comes to your Christmas Shopping. Not only does it help you control your spending, but it also just helps you to be organised.
Work out what you can afford, and then make a budget that details how much you want to spend on presents, food and all the trimmings. You’ll then become a master of spending, knowing your limits and avoiding impulse buying.
If you’re struggling with money worries, contact us today on 0808 2234 102. We can work through your debts from the moment you contact us and offer you advice and solutions tailored to your situation.
