This year we’ve all vowed to cut back on Christmas. Stores have quietly changed their stock from super-expensive whirly-gigs to the more traditional gifts and decorations (with some tackiness remaining.) These same stores are expecting lower traffic, and more people are looking for ways to share the joy without opening their wallets.
Pare Down the Season of Giving
The best way to pare down the season of giving is to decide now that you’re going to do just that. Start telling friends that you’re scaling back. Make plans to skip gifts.
Of course, you should save some money for the necessary holiday expenses, so set aside a portion of your monthly budget for the next three months. It may not be a lot, but it’s something.
Win My Holiday Savings E-Book
This year, I’ve expanded my holiday savings E-Book to include even more posts grouped by topic. You can find all of these articles on the blog, but now they’re organized. This E-Book also includes a handy holiday budgeting worksheet that isn’t available on the blog. It costs only $5 for a 45-page PDF. Visit the official Holiday Savings E-Book page to learn more.
One lucky reader will win a free download of the E-Book.
How to Enter
Entering is simple. Post your favorite holiday tip in the comments below. I’ll use a random number generator to pick one winner and email the download code. The deadline to enter is October 30, 2009.
So, what are your tips for saving money during the holiday season while still enjoying merriment and light?