Christmas can be an expensive time – and this is especially true right now. The cost of living crisis has affected the vast majority of people in Britain, and millions are expected to spend less this Christmas.
If you have a tight budget this year, don’t worry; there are lots of things you can do to save money. This will help you to handle Christmas costs while still having a lovely time with your family.
Here are six tips to help you save money this Christmas.
1. How To Save Money This Christmas: Dedicate A Whole Day To Christmas Shopping
One of the main reasons people overspend on Christmas presents is because they leave their shopping to the last minute. This means that there are fewer things to choose from, and if they are buying online they need to pay more for fast shipping.
You could try to avoid this by setting a whole day aside to buy gifts. Start early in the day, and then you will have time to visit a few different stores. This allows you to compare prices so that you get the best possible deals.
2. Make Smart Delivery Choices
If you decide to do your shopping online, you can save some money by making smart delivery choices. After all, delivery fees can really add up, especially if you’re buying from lots of different places! We suggest getting a delivery pass (which allows you to pay one upfront cost for deliveries from certain supermarkets) which often works out cheaper than paying multiple times for delivery. You could also sign up to Amazon Prime for the month of December to reduce costs – just make sure to cancel the membership once everything has been delivered.
3. Consider Buying Second-Hand
Buying second-hand gifts is great for both your wallet and the environment. There are also lots of great second-hand online options, including Vinted, Preloved and Depop. This allows you to buy great gifts for a fraction of the normal price.
4. Check Google Prices Before Buying
If you are doing most of your Christmas shopping online, you can use Google prices before making a purchase to see if the item is cheaper anywhere else. Just make sure to factor delivery costs into the final price!
5. Avoid Pay Later (If Possible)
“Buy now, pay later” schemes are tempting if you are worried about money, but it’s better to do this if you have a payment plan in place for the coming months. After all, January can also be an expensive month – and if you don’t repay before the 0% period ends, it is likely an expensive interest rate will be added.
6. Plan Each Meal
Lots of people overspend on their Christmas food shopping because they don’t plan each meal. This means a lot of food waste, so if you have a tight budget consider planning each meal in advance. You may also want to swap branded products for supermarket own-brand, as this can save you a significant amount of money.
Do you have any Christmas saving tips of your own? Send us a message and let us know!
