7 Money Hacks to Use This Holiday Season

It’s that time of year where budgets fly out the window and people spend way more than necessary. Don’t let this be you. Save money and stay on budget with our money hacks to use this holiday season.

7 Money Hacks to Use This Holiday Season

Can you believe it is time for Christmas shopping? This means making a budget and checking it twice! If finances are a concern for you this holiday season, it is worth looking into some ways to cut those costs. Look at these 7 money hacks to use this holiday season, so you can buy the gifts you need without sending yourself into insane debt!

1. Shop NOW. Don’t wait for the trees to go up and the twinkling lights to flip on. Shop now. When you see sales and clearance items, comb the shelves and see if there are any items that would make great gifts for your family or friends. Make a list, check it twice, and keep it in the car so that no matter where you go, you have it on you and don’t over buy.

2. Buy in bulk. Things like candles, socks, bath items, and other gift items will cost you less if purchased in bulk. Purchase these items in bulk and then break them up to create gifts for teachers, co-workers, neighbors, and other people you buy small gifts for. Some gift cards can even be purchased in bulk and in the process, you can save a few bucks in the process. Many restaurants, in fact, give a free $5 gift card when you spend so much on additional gift cards.

3. Bake/Make gifts. Baking mixes are inexpensive and can go a long way. Consider baking cookies, bread, muffins, and other items to give as gifts. If you are crafty, buy inexpensive supplies and make your own gift items. These are gifts that truly come from the heart!

Here are a few homemade gift ideas:

4. Forget Black Friday. As stores get more competitive, Black Friday deals are far and few in between. Instead of waiting to buy everything on Black Friday, consider the week after where stores will still be rolling out specials in order to entice shoppers. The past few years I was able to find really good deals before Black Friday. And then after Black Friday, stores still trying to get sales before Christmas slashed prices, coupon codes, mPerk deals, and more were readily available to help me save even more money!

5. Download money-saving apps. Apps such as RetailMeNot are perfect for finding coupon codes that can be used in-store and online. Download these money saving apps that allow you to compare prices, find deals nearby, and even provide coupon savings. I have a big list of money-saving apps for you to check out!

6. Make last minute rounds. If you are brave enough to head out a few days before Christmas, you might just find some deals. Holiday-themed items especially will start getting marked down at this time, so it is worth doing one last round. This is a great way to grab smaller gifts to supplement larger ones or to grab any you forgot about.

7. Outlets/Scratch and Dents/Wholesale Outlets are Key. These types of stores still carry quality merchandise and are worth checking out. You can find everything from clothes to purses to electronics at these types of stores for a fraction of the cost of perfect. These items might have a snag or a small scratch, but chances are the damage is minimal and the item is still fully functional and in gift giving shape!

As you can see, you don’t need to bleed your bank dry in order to get the holiday gifts you need. There are ways to buy gifts for less and actually ENJOY shopping! Consider these 7 money hacks to use this holiday season and see what a difference they can make in your wallet and your stress level.