November 25th, 2009 | 
Author: Saving money at any time of the year is great, but it’s especially welcome during the holiday season.
Let’s face it. The holiday season is a mixed blessing.
On the one hand, it brings closer connections with loves ones, holiday parties, celebrations, wonderful feelings, and a renewed sense of peace and purpose.
On the other hand, it brings last minute hassles, stress-filled gift decisions, “holiday shoppers syndrome”, and the worst of all: money worries.
Sad but true, millions of people get maxed out on their credit cards and empty their bank accounts in the spirit of giving. And this casts a big shadow on what really should be the best time of the year.
So what to do?
Here are 5 tips to insure that your holiday season is merry and bright:
1. Plan Ahead.
You can do 90% of holiday preparations well in advance. Buy your decorations, choose your recipes, book your travel tickets, clean your guest room, etc. now, rather than waiting until the night before.
When you do anything in advance, it remains fun and enjoyable. If you have to rush at the last minute, you’ll be harried and stressful.
2. Save Money.
Look for ways to save money on all your holiday purchases.
One simple way is to buy your gifts now at a lower price. Once the holiday season starts, prices can begin to skyrocket.
Another way to save money is to join a discount membership website. These are websites where you can save money on all the things you normally buy every day.
You can save money on things like groceries, household items, clothes, auto, electronics, travel, sports, etc. Basically anything you want to buy, there is a way to save money on it.
Look particularly for gifts, travel, restaurants, hotels, and anything that would relate to the things you will be buying over the holidays. Make sure they are of the quality you want at the price you want.
If not, look for another discount membership site.
Be wary, though, as not all the discount membership sites are created equal. Make sure the one you choose has multiple ways to save money both online and offline, is very low cost to join, and has no hidden fees.
Make sure you can start saving money right away, as that is the whole point. That way, you can get a head start on your holiday shopping by creating some extra cash up front.
3. Save Time.
Look for ways to save time when you are shopping, decorating, and planning.
Include family members in holiday preparations and enjoy the time spent together with them.
Try and find stores or websites that have multiple products you need all in one place. Discount stores or membership sites are great for this and save a lot of time and trouble.
Nothing is so frustrating as having to hop around from one store or web site to another just to find the things you want.
During the holiday season, time is at a premium, and anything that saves you time is well worth it.
4. Think Out-Of-The-Box.
When you’re choosing gifts for your loved ones, think of giving them something different, something unique.
How about a gift certificate to their favorite restaurant?
Or a weekend at their favorite hotel?
Or a ticket to their favorite sports event?
Give them something that shows them you really thought about them and what they would like.
For a unique gift that would show them you really care, why not get them a membership to the same discount membership site you are part of?
This is a gift that would keep on giving, for they would be saving money all year long.
5. Stay Rested.
Hard to do, but well worth it. Try to do most of the activities during the day, and keep the evening for relaxation. Going to bed earlier will also make all the activities during the day go much more smoothly.
If you plan ahead using the above steps, then come holiday time, you’ll be able to feel happy, relaxed, and enjoy all the good times and wonderful company you have in store.
Stay well, stay happy and enjoy the holiday fun!
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turn the lights off when not necessary. Don't use too much computer. Don't turn on both computer and TV at the same time ( no one can watch tv and surf online at the same time) If you can surf and watch tv at the same time then install a tv program and software on your pc instead. grocery shop once every two weeks and buy everything that you need for two weeks. Open the windows instead of the AC, use electric fan when necesary. Geez, I wish my wife do all of these things I summarize here. she does the opposite all the time. Oh yeah during your payday, make sure you put some on your savings.
…@#$%@#
1. I say clip coupons all the time and buy sale items.
I once helped my family turn a $200 grocery bill into a $80 bill for scan and clipping coupons. trust me it is worth it.
2. Put all coins in a jar then cash them in.
3. Buy out off season clothes for cheap at places like plato's closet
4. research sales online
5.research the lowest gas prices in your area (www.gasbuddy.com)
6. have a set amount you put away if you have a job like 15%
7. set financial goals
8. rent movies from the library
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SHOPPING RULES
1. never carry credit cards
2. make a list
3. don't carry all your money with you
4. look at different store prices
A perfect way for more then a $300 save is lowering your insurance rate. You can find your insurance rate by location over here:
tinyurl,com/yejhjdf
Put your extra money in a savings account that is not easily accessible to you, preferably a high-interest account at a completely different bank than the one you use for your other checking and other savings. Have whatever money you can afford deposited DIRECTLY into that account from your paycheck or from your checking account. Make it so that you never really get your hands on the money in the first place. Use this account as your long-term, "permanent" savings account. Make it automated, and just forget about it and let it grow.
Also, though, you should open a savings account that is attached to your checking account. If you have extra in your checking account when it's time to get paid again, move that extra into your savings. Try to build that savings account up to at least $1,000 — or more — and think of it as your "emergency fund." Try not to use it, but knowing that you have an EF will give you tremendous peace of mind and help you not use credit when you DO have an emergency or an unexpected expense. It sounds weird, but it's amazing how much easier it is to save money once you have a little cushion built up.
Also, you should contribute to your 401k. Most employers do matching up to a certain amount or percentage. (My company matches 100% of the first 3% we contribute to our 401k, and then 50% of the next 2% we contribute.) That's free money. First-time homeowners MAY be able to use money from their 401k to help pay for their first house. There are conditions and rules that apply, and various taxes and penalties. But it is an option for some folks.
I love these vids! It’s so easy, I feel stupid.