I just want to tel you that you canspend lessduring christmas and half the balance to continue next year. Nobody likes to assign dollar values to loved ones, but if there was ever a time to say that Uncle Wale gets less than Grandma, it’s when you’re creating a holiday budget. Karolann Patranzino, founder of Purse Strings Online, recommends making a simple budget chart. First, determine how much you have to spend in total and write that number at the top of the page so it’s always in view. Then decide whom you will be buying for, and list their names down the left side of the page.When drawing up your list, go beyond gifts, actually, this will help youspend less. Prep for all the other expenses that are likely to crop up — from travel to greeting cards to parties and (head-slap!) tips for the babysitter, the hairstylist, and others.
Don’t ever fail to plan ahead, It’s been said thata failure to plan is a plan to fail, and when it comes to the holidays, truer words were never spoken. Taking just a few minutes early in the season to set a budget, plan your menus, and determine your priorities can be the difference between memories to last a lifetime and a holiday you’d simply like to forget.spend less
It will be nice to star shopping earlier instead of waiting. It may sound counter intuitive, but since the start of the recession, the earlier you begin your shopping, thelessyou’re likely to spend. Procrastinators estimated that they spent a wallet-draining more money than early birds, so schedule that mall run sooner rather than later.
Reserve Space in Your Schedule.Part of planning ahead (and spending less) is making a conscious effort to guard your time so that not every minute is filled with activity. All those activities add up! Before your calendar is booked, take the time to block out at least one day each week (but preferably more) for downtime. Resolve to make that time non-negotiable so that even if something comes up (and it will), you have no choice but to say you’ve already made plans
Also to spend less, don’t buy anything outside your plan no matter how flashy it may be. Except you had money for that in your budget.
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