Plan. Plan. Plan! We’ve had a few posts about this, and it may seem repetitive, but the truth is that planning is what we’re not doing much of when it comes to our finances. That’s how we end up overspending and having more month at the end of our money. This is particularly amplified over the holiday season.
If you want to have a less stressful holiday, get your budget ready now. Plan for every cent now. Don’t get caught off guard with all the ‘low deals’ and ‘never-to-be-repeated-again’ specials. It’s all a gimmick to make you part with your money.
The next most important task, after budgeting, is sticking to the plan. Stay the course. Don’t get distracted, no matter how tempting it is. You’ll thank yourself in a few weeks’ time when the hype dies down and reality seeps in.
A few tips to help you along the way:
- Plan meals in advance and stick to your shopping list. You spend more on groceries if you shop without a list.
- Try not to drink alcohol at a restaurant these holidays because, as you know, it costs more than it should.
- If you’re one of the lucky few to get a bonus in December, consider preserving it – all of it just for one month. Once the festivities have dissipated, revisit how you’d like to spend that money and your decisions may be a lot more sensible then.