Little Ways to Start Saving for the Holidays

SHARE THIS

FACEBOOK

  DELICIOUS

  SU

  REDDIT

Holidays can be a stressful time for just about anyone as it often feels like you’re spending a fortune. It makes a huge difference if you plan your holiday budget and begin saving money early on to avoid the last minute scramble many people make on Christmas eve. There are many little ways you can start saving money for Christmas to help get you more prepared.

Minimize Your Utility Bill

No one can really avoid paying for their utilities every month, but there are ways you can minimize your bill so you have more money at the end of each month. Some of the most helpful ways to lower your utilities include:

-Insulating outlets and light switches

-Use weather stripping to keep out drafts

-Switch to a programmable thermostat

-Use insulation on your water heater

-Use cold water to wash your clothes

-Make sure the dishwasher is full before running it

Another thing that can save you a lot of money is to have your HVAC system repaired. Find a reputable heating service professional in your area and determine if your system needs repair to become more energy efficient.

Cutting Back on Monthly Subscriptions

It’s easy to rack up those monthly subscriptions, especially if they’re only $5 a month, but they do add up. Make a list of your monthly subscriptions and write down how much each one costs, then multiply that number by 12. That’s how much you’re paying each year for all of those subscriptions. You don’t need to get rid of all of them, only if you’re willing to do so, but consider which ones you wouldn’t mind ditching to save extra money each month.

Sell Things You Don’t Need

If you have items laying around collecting dust that you never actually plan on using ever again, sell them to earn some extra holiday cash. Go through your closet, your children’s toys, your storage unit, and anywhere else you have a ton of stuff accumulated with no purpose. Take all of the items you’re willing to part with and sell them on your local tag sale site on Facebook or utilize eBay and Craigslist. It can be surprising to see how much your unused items add up.

Save Money Each Week

If you regularly splurge on coffee at Starbucks every morning or go out to eat during your lunch break, you can save money by making your own coffee and packing your own lunch. Closely examine your budget to see where all of your money ends up. If you’re one to dine out all the time, consider eating at home to save money. The money you save from those additional expenses will add up and give you a decent amount of money to put into holiday savings each week.

Get a Part-Time Job

There are many companies all over that are looking for seasonal employees. If you already have a full-time job that pays for your living expenses, consider getting a seasonal job to help give you extra money to use during the holidays.

Even if you can save a little bit of money every week, remember that everything adds up. You can open up a completely separate account just for holiday money so it doesn’t get used for anything else. Pay close attention to your budget and cut down on any expenses that you don’t actually need because you can always add them back after the holidays have come and gone. Start planning and saving early and you’ll be surprised how quickly you have enough for your holiday shopping expenses.