Holiday Shopping on a Budget
By Erin
*This is a sponsored post. All thoughts and opinions remain my own*
It’s getting down to the wire, have you finished (or even started) your holiday shopping yet? I still have a few more gifts to get, but I have started! Do you give yourself a budget and stick with it or do you just spend now and worry about it later? I am pretty good at sticking to a budget, but I always love to learn new things on how to do it better.
Last month I attended an event hosted by Sprint and Boost Mobile where we all learned a couple of new tips and tricks on how to stay on budget while finishing the holiday shopping from Aileen Luib at Baller On A Budget. I also learned about finding a phone and a plan that does not break the bank, so I think I finally know where to shop for our next phones and plan.
Here are some of the tips we learned to spend smart!
- Make a “To-Gift” list: Think of who you’ll actually be seeing during the holidays and add them to your gift list. That way you know how much money you realistically are going to need.
- Make a master budget: Give yourself a rough number that won’t prevent you from paying your bills or tempt you to use your credit cards. Can you take out $300 per paycheck over the next few weeks to cover the holiday shopping? Or will your holiday bonuses allow you to spend $1,000 on gifts? Know what you have so you don’t overspend and then stick with it.
- Set a budget for each person: Make a budget for every person on your list and look for alternatives for those with expensive taste. If Mom likes Chanel, get her a lipstick instead of that expensive perfume. Don’t forget! The key to a good gift is being THOUGHTFUL, NOT expensive! 🙂
- Avoid giving gift cards or cash: (I personally like getting gift cards and cash, but this is something to think about for sure if it works for your situation!) It’s easier to buy a $50 item on sale for $30, but if you guy a $50 gift card, your recipient will still have to pay for the remaining sales tax for the same item. You can always find discounts on items, but gift cards and cash don’t provide the same flexibility.
- Are you shopping online or in-store? Online shopping allows you to compare prices between stores quickly and easily without wasting your time and gas! If you shop in-store, consider your local outlet malls as they have daily specials that are comparable to Black Friday sales.
- Plan the right time to buy: If at all possible, wait to buy regular-priced items if you think they will go on sale. Here are some things to remember: Black Friday– Great for electronics and appliances, Black Friday Preview Sales, Cyber Monday (Online-only sales, great for flights and hotels), Small Business Saturday (Good for speciality items carried by local businesses), Boxing Day (For international online retailers).
- Shop through online deal clubs: Online deal clubs partner with small businesses to promote their items at a discounted price so that customers can try them out. Items are between $1-$10 in most deal clubs. Here are a few that are free to join: Vipon, Snagshout, Elite Deal Club, Uber Zon Club.
- Reduce unnecessary Spending: Bring your lunch to work instead of going out everyday. Sacrifice Spotify or Apple Music for 2 months. Satisfy any shopping impulses by purchasing gifts on your list instead of something for yourself. This is the season of giving to others after all! 😉
- Cut your expenses: Do you really need cable TV if you only use Netflix? Have you tried negotiating any of your bills? Have you thought about switching to a more affordable cell phone service provider? With Sprint you can lease a new iPhone XR for Mom with $0 today on an 18-month lease. Unlimited plans start at $60 a month. The Unlimited Plus Plan also includes features like TIDAL music streaming and Hulu! Regardless of what plan you choose, you will have access to Sprint’s nationwide network, high-speed data and unlimited international text.
- If you don’t want to jump into a contract then Boost Mobile is for you! Offering pre-paid plans starting as low as $30 a month. That way you can just pay as you go. All plans provide you with unlimited data, talk and text and 99 percent nationwide coverage. For a limited time, new customers can get four lines of unlimited data, talk and text for only $25 per line per month.
- Make More Money: Get creative! Here are some ways to scrape up some extra cash! Sell handmade goods on Etsy, offer yard services around your neighborhood, Babysit for friends and family, walk dogs on Rover or Wag, Take surveys on Quick Thoughts, Have a garage sale, or sell unwanted items on eBay.
