How to stretch that holiday budget
The holiday season comes with a number of feasts, family members and fun, but budgeting for this merry period is essential to avoid drowning in debt by the start of the New Year.
Create a spending plan
Select an affordable budget for both Christmas and early January, and create your spending plan around this. Sticking to the spending plan is the tricky part, and it’s therefore essential to make sure that your spending plan will suit your allocated budget.
Shop for gifts and food in advance
Chances are that the gifts and food you buy a few days before Christmas will be available months before. You can keep a look out for potential gifts as early as October, and many are much cheaper at that time due to low demand. Buying non-perishable ingredients to your festive meal before December can also save you a few rand to spend on treating yourself and family.
Share the duties
If you’re having a number of dinners and braais throughout the festive season, why not have a potluck meal in between? A potluck meal is similar to a bring and braai, except each individual brings one ingredient for a big meal. The host does all the cooking and preparation, and the meal is then shared between friends. It’s easy on everybody’s pocket, and still keeps the festive mood going.
Keep it simple
If your Christmas tradition has never been about a Christmas tree or gifts, and your new year’s day has never been about fireworks, stick to what has always worked for you and your family. Instead of breaking the bank with a Christmas tree, a few festive decorations will do. Lending a helping hand by volunteering at a soup kitchen or children’s shelter can be just as fulfilling as spending a day with family. A number of people still work during holiday season, so spread the festive cheer.
