Holiday Money Wasters, And How To Avoid Them
Christmas is coming, with all its attendant costs. And while we can often feel there is no way of avoiding a budget blow-out over the holiday period, it doesn’t have to be the case. With a bit of planning, reinventing a couple of inventions and being mindful of the season, and not just the amount spent, you could have a holiday period that doesn’t set you back for the next year. Here are some ways to spend too much at Christmas, and how to avoid them. Inspired by MSN Money.
Blowout Holiday Dinner
No one wants to miss the huge spread at the table, and even the frugal have no need to take away from the glorious midday meal. It’s possible to put on an amazing table without breaking the bank. Think about your menu carefully- here in Australia, it’s likely to be hot, so there’s no need to overdo heavy foods or have loads of different kinds of meat. Stick to salads, maybe hunt out some turkey or ham that’s at bargain prices for the season. Don’t make dishes that require special ingredients you’ll never use again- the food should be delicious, which doesn’t automatically mean it should include goose fat and white anchovies.
Gift Wrap
Let’s face it- it’s often tacky, and is an insult to the environment as well as our finances. Wrapping gifts doesn’t have to be expensive; my Mum has always used gift bags, which can be bought cheaply and, more importantly, recycled year after year. Another idea is to sew pieces of fabric together to make fabric gift bags. The other one my Mum loved doing was using our artwork when we were little to wrap things- there’s no way you can keep them all, and it’s often a really colourful way to present a gift.
Gift Boo Boo
We all receive the odd horror- don’t even get me started on the earrings that reached my shoulders- and sometimes we give them as well. The amount of money spent on gifts people don’t really want is absurd. Review your list and make sure it’s more than just habit that means you give gifts to each person at Christmas. Pool resources with other people and ask around for suggestions from their nearest and dearest, they’ll know best.
Checked In
I travel with a guitar, so have no choice but to resent the cost of checked baggage fees when I fly. For people travelling over the holiday season, save yourself a bit of money by travelling light. Make sure all your gifts can fit into a small bag, or take advantage of the free shipping offer from retailers. Make sure you let your family know as well, so no one presents you with a stereo system as a gift.
Secret Santa
A horror of a tradition at my primary school, and something I have been blessed to avoid since. Secret Santa’s in the office are generally stressful, hard to afford and never all that fulfilling. Why not this year suggest the higher ground, as Liz Weston put it. The money towards a food drive or a local Salvation Army Christmas lunch. No one is going to object, and the money will go where it might actually do some good.
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