Top Five Ways to Stretch the Pennies in the Run into Christmas 1. Avoid a maxed out credit card in January - make a shopping list and set a budgetAlthough its stating the obvious, it sometimes needs be restated! Before you embark on your Christmas shopping spree, work out exactly who you need to buy a gift for, what you’ll buy and how much you want to spend. Shopping lists are hard to stick to but you’d be amazed at what you’ll save if you do. To avoid the maxed out credit card, work out a budget for the holiday period and try to stick to it. Plan your purchases, be clever about which gifts you buy, avoid impulse buying and buy only affordable gifts. 2. Make sure you get the best deal Whether you intend to shop online or at the store, shop around and compare prices. With interest rates on the rise and government handouts having been spent, retailers are competing very aggressively for your Christmas dollar this year. Bargains are to be found everywhere! 3. Buying online Shopping online is a great way to save both time and money. Many websites offer secure credit card payment options and fast and reliable delivery. If you’re buying online, be sure that the website has SSL technology. SSL creates a secure connection between you - the customer - and the seller’s server. Over this connection, any amount data (i.e. credit card details) can be transmitted securely. Information about security of connection should be prominently displayed on the site. With a strong Aussie dollar, you might consider shopping at online sites domiciled in the United States. If you choose this option, ensure they will deliver to Australia. Some product manufacturers (such as ASICS) have recently put a ban on their US stock from being sold outside the country so as not to undercut distributors of their products in other markets. To save money, it is sometimes better to buy several gifts from the one website, as larger orders are often eligible for free shipping. However, don’t leave your online shopping until the last minute as it’s not uncommon for an advanced order item to have a delivery date in January. 4. Secret Santas Big families can use the Secret Santas method of gift giving to save money and time spent shopping for gifts. Each member of the family is allocated a person to buy a gift for. A maximum price limit is set for gifts to ensure spending is reasonable and fair. Secret Santas can be a lot of fun! 5. Make your own Christmas cards or order online for free Making your own Christmas cards is a great way of saving money and provides a creative outlet for the kids. There are many online sites and that will send your Christmas cards out for you (saving you precious time). You can find services that are both free and paid, and services that send both digital and tradition paper Christmas cards. James has enjoyed a successful career in the financial industry for more than 10 years. For the past five years he has been helping families, single parents, professionals and small businesses achieve their financial goals. James draws on his own experience and offers clients practical advice to assist them in planning for their future. James is the father of an energetic two year old, with number two on the way! When not at work, you'll find James spending time with his family or running along the coast between Coogee and Bondi. James Randle | Financial Adviser Add Comment |
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