Saving money during the holidays

Tis the season for some holiday savings! The holidays are a time for joy and celebration, but can also be a source of financial stress. Never fear! We have some time-tested tips to ensure everyone’s stockings (or hearts) are full without emptying your wallet.

Tip 1: Create a Holiday Budget

Ask any financial advisor and he or she will tell you the number one way to prevent over-spending during the holidays is to set up a holiday budget… and stick to it! A great way to create your budget and fund it is to start a savings goal early in the year.

Other savvy ways to prepare are taking advantage of Christmas Club accounts or opening a short-term certificate of deposit. If you are a Microsoft user you can even download a Holiday Budget planner to get you started.

Setting and abiding by your holiday budget will let you rest easy knowing you are well-prepared for those joyful expenses.

Tip 2: Make a List (and check it twice)

A good way to rein in your expenses is to create a list. Plan what gifts you are going to give for the loved ones in your life. If the list is too large for your budget, go through it again and pare it down.

In addition to gifts, plan your grocery list for holiday meals and additional costs such as gift wrapping, decorations and mailing costs.

You can create your list months in advance so that you can be on the lookout for deals throughout the year.

Tip 3: Order Online

If you’ve made your holiday gift list early in the year, take advantage of comparison shopping online. The Camilizer Chrome browser extension gives you instant access to Amazon’s price history charts while Sidekick automatically applies coupon codes to your online purchases. And even if you’ve waited until the last minute, you can shop for deals on Cyber Monday. Look for outlets that offer free shipping (free shipping day is December 14).

Tip 4: Use Money-Saving Apps

There are a host of apps that you can use on your phone or in your browser to save money. Honey, RetailMeNot, Rakuten and Groupon are some of the most popular apps and are free to use!

If you prefer to shop in person, check out ibotta or Shopkick. These apps provide discounts and cash-back for purchases you make in-store. Simply upload a receipt of your purchase and watch your savings grow!

Tip 5: Give DIY Gifts

Some of the most cherished gifts are those you create with loved ones in mind. You can’t put a price on gifts from the heart. What’s better than homemade cookies, candy or trail mix?

Or picture this: take cherished photographic memories that may be trapped in your mobile phone and create a photo collage.

And if you’re good with crafts, have a green thumb or are a knitting or sewing ninja, consider the limitless kinds of gifts you can create.

By creating DYI gifts, you will not only save money, but you will give something from the heart.

Tip 6: Give Your Time

If you have a limited budget, consider giving the gift of your time. You can volunteer at a local soup kitchen or animal shelter. If you have an elderly relative, you can offer to run errands, tidy their home, mow the lawn, or merely spend quality time with them. If you don’t have an elderly relative nearby, you can brighten the day of elderly people in your community. Consider visiting a senior living facility or working with Meals on Wheels. By giving the gift of your time, you’ll provide glad tidings of comfort and joy.

The winter holidays are just around the corner, and as a savvy shopper, you can have a merry and bright time without busting your budget. Indeed, with these money-saving tips, you can rest assured you’ll have some extra coins in your pocket, jingling all the way.

Whether you’re celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Solstice, or Festivus, the SmartyPig family hopes you have a happy holiday!