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The Cheapskates Way to a Last Minute Budget Friendly Christmas
It's December already, I can't believe it's almost Christmas, I'm not ready for Christmas - these are all statements that make me a little crazy.
Why?
Well December comes around every 12 months, and Christmas is always in December, the date doesn't change, it's always December 25.
So why is anyone surprised when December rolls around and thoughts turn to Christmas celebrations and all they entail?
And then there's the big one: I don't know how we're going to pay for presents/food/holidays/decorations/clothes or whatever else people think is needed to enjoy Christmas.
The Own Your Christmas Challenge is finished, but if you missed it this year, make a note on your calendar for next October, because we do this challenge every year, just like Christmas.
And if you missed the countdown, that's OK. There is still time to enjoy a lovely Christmas celebration without going over budget, but you'll need to get cracking and start today!
Christmas can be a big drain on your budget, but only if we allow it.
We all enjoy the festivity of the season; there are Christmas parties, special Christmas decorations for the home, Christmas presents and gifts and of course the all-important Christmas dinner.
So many people get caught up in the fun and place themselves into an enormous amount of debt – especially credit card debt at this time of year and they're paying for Christmas 2024 when Christmas 2025 rolls around.
Don't be that person! There's still time to have a beautiful Christmas and own it, and ditch the Christmas debt.
You have an advantage over the average Australian: being a Cheapskate allows you to give better gifts for less money and celebrate without going broke.
Something that is becoming more and more popular, and it's still budget friendly, is the increasingly popular trend to give a gift with some heart and soul.
This may be a hamper you have carefully put together with items that you know the recipient will love and adore, or actually making a present from scratch, or choosing an activity over stuff, even making a donation in the recipient's name.
So whatever the gift is, there are ways to give it without going over budget.
1. Use discount vouchers
There are so many coupons, discount vouchers and sale offers that arrive in your inbox or even the letterbox at this time of year, that are printed on checkout dockets and are given out as a “thank-you gifts with purchases”. Use them! In the last week (last week of November '24) I was sent four different offers for $10 off my next purchase at various stores, and bonus - there was no purchase limit on any of them and they could all be redeemed either in-store OR online! So it pays to check those random emails and junk mail drops this time of year, and put them to use.
2. Use credit-card reward points
Most credit cards earn reward points so if you use a credit card, use your points to buy the other goods they offer in the rewards program. They sometimes have special deals and you can get some great products.
3. Buy direct from manufacturers, importers and wholesalers
Many manufacturers, importers and wholesalers sell direct to the public. You can get some terrific deals by buying direct - often buying for between 20-50% below retail prices. We have a local nut wholesaler , Trutaste Nuts, who will sell direct to the public for a fraction of the supermarket or department store prices; this means I can buy a selection of nuts in bulk and make fun and budget friendly snack hampers that are bigger and fresher than anything I can buy ready made. Think creatively: is there a hairdresser's supplier nearby where you could buy bulk shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hand creams etc. to create your own pamper packs? Or is there a manchester warehouse where you can pick up bargain towel sets or gorgeous beach towels or pretty tablecloths for bargain basement prices? Perhaps there's an electronics store that sells phone cases or headsets or cable boxes or similar for the tekkies on your gift list.
4. Buy at discount stores
Use the local discount stores to get some great bargains. Just because it's a discount store doesn't mean you won't find something beautiful within your budget. Keep an open mind and have a good look around, you may be surprised at what you can find for just a few dollars.
5. Buy online and save
While I am not a fan of the Chinese discount sellers that have taken the internet by storm because I think they are hurting genuine businesses who have quality products, I do find bargain prices at some online shops. Do your homework and try to find medium sized companies selling at genuine sales prices.
Whether it's electronics or household items, toys or clothes, there are bargains to be had by shopping online. Choose a reputable retailer that you are familiar with, check their delivery and returns policy (in case something gets lost or broken) and of course, as we always do, shop around and compare prices for the best deal. Don't forget to factor in delivery costs!
6. Check your loyalty program points
I make it a habit of swiping the Flybuys card every time I buy something from Coles, Kmart, Target, Bunnings or Officeworks. I don't shop at any of these stores just to collect the points, but if I'm buying anyway it makes sense. Then I let them accrue until December, convert them into dollars and use them to pay for the Christmas treats. There's always more than enough to buy the chocolates, lollies, soft drinks, dried fruit, nuts, ice-cream, chips, and yes, my favourite Cheezels to get us through the Christmas/New Year period and often well into January. I know someone who saves them and then uses them to pay for fuel for their Christmas and summer travel.
7. Regifting is great
Regifting makes sense, especially if you are hanging onto something you were given that you don't need, or want, or like or use or that doesn't fit or is the wrong colour. But regift with style. Make sure you don't give it back to the person who gave it to you - that would be insulting and appear ungrateful. Re-wrap it. Put it in a different gift bag or wrap it in different paper. Make sure you have removed any gift card or label with your name on it (double check, just to be sure). Make sure the price isn't on it. And only regift if it is in perfect condition. Make sure any packaging is whole and not damaged. If it is, can you take it out of the packaging? Re-gifting is a great way to save money and solve a gift giving problem, if you are smart about it,
8. Make something
It may be too late to start that queen size patchwork quilt, but it's not too late to whip up some decorated kitchen towels or a batch of fudge or decorate a pot and plant it with some seedlings. There are plenty of handmade gifts you can create using things you already have, that don't take a lot of time (because you know, time is running out) or cost a lot of money if you buy supplies.
When you stop panicking and start thinking the Cheapskates way, Christmas on a budget, even at the last minute, is absolutely doable.
Why?
Well December comes around every 12 months, and Christmas is always in December, the date doesn't change, it's always December 25.
So why is anyone surprised when December rolls around and thoughts turn to Christmas celebrations and all they entail?
And then there's the big one: I don't know how we're going to pay for presents/food/holidays/decorations/clothes or whatever else people think is needed to enjoy Christmas.
The Own Your Christmas Challenge is finished, but if you missed it this year, make a note on your calendar for next October, because we do this challenge every year, just like Christmas.
And if you missed the countdown, that's OK. There is still time to enjoy a lovely Christmas celebration without going over budget, but you'll need to get cracking and start today!
Christmas can be a big drain on your budget, but only if we allow it.
We all enjoy the festivity of the season; there are Christmas parties, special Christmas decorations for the home, Christmas presents and gifts and of course the all-important Christmas dinner.
So many people get caught up in the fun and place themselves into an enormous amount of debt – especially credit card debt at this time of year and they're paying for Christmas 2024 when Christmas 2025 rolls around.
Don't be that person! There's still time to have a beautiful Christmas and own it, and ditch the Christmas debt.
You have an advantage over the average Australian: being a Cheapskate allows you to give better gifts for less money and celebrate without going broke.
Something that is becoming more and more popular, and it's still budget friendly, is the increasingly popular trend to give a gift with some heart and soul.
This may be a hamper you have carefully put together with items that you know the recipient will love and adore, or actually making a present from scratch, or choosing an activity over stuff, even making a donation in the recipient's name.
So whatever the gift is, there are ways to give it without going over budget.
1. Use discount vouchers
There are so many coupons, discount vouchers and sale offers that arrive in your inbox or even the letterbox at this time of year, that are printed on checkout dockets and are given out as a “thank-you gifts with purchases”. Use them! In the last week (last week of November '24) I was sent four different offers for $10 off my next purchase at various stores, and bonus - there was no purchase limit on any of them and they could all be redeemed either in-store OR online! So it pays to check those random emails and junk mail drops this time of year, and put them to use.
2. Use credit-card reward points
Most credit cards earn reward points so if you use a credit card, use your points to buy the other goods they offer in the rewards program. They sometimes have special deals and you can get some great products.
3. Buy direct from manufacturers, importers and wholesalers
Many manufacturers, importers and wholesalers sell direct to the public. You can get some terrific deals by buying direct - often buying for between 20-50% below retail prices. We have a local nut wholesaler , Trutaste Nuts, who will sell direct to the public for a fraction of the supermarket or department store prices; this means I can buy a selection of nuts in bulk and make fun and budget friendly snack hampers that are bigger and fresher than anything I can buy ready made. Think creatively: is there a hairdresser's supplier nearby where you could buy bulk shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hand creams etc. to create your own pamper packs? Or is there a manchester warehouse where you can pick up bargain towel sets or gorgeous beach towels or pretty tablecloths for bargain basement prices? Perhaps there's an electronics store that sells phone cases or headsets or cable boxes or similar for the tekkies on your gift list.
4. Buy at discount stores
Use the local discount stores to get some great bargains. Just because it's a discount store doesn't mean you won't find something beautiful within your budget. Keep an open mind and have a good look around, you may be surprised at what you can find for just a few dollars.
5. Buy online and save
While I am not a fan of the Chinese discount sellers that have taken the internet by storm because I think they are hurting genuine businesses who have quality products, I do find bargain prices at some online shops. Do your homework and try to find medium sized companies selling at genuine sales prices.
Whether it's electronics or household items, toys or clothes, there are bargains to be had by shopping online. Choose a reputable retailer that you are familiar with, check their delivery and returns policy (in case something gets lost or broken) and of course, as we always do, shop around and compare prices for the best deal. Don't forget to factor in delivery costs!
6. Check your loyalty program points
I make it a habit of swiping the Flybuys card every time I buy something from Coles, Kmart, Target, Bunnings or Officeworks. I don't shop at any of these stores just to collect the points, but if I'm buying anyway it makes sense. Then I let them accrue until December, convert them into dollars and use them to pay for the Christmas treats. There's always more than enough to buy the chocolates, lollies, soft drinks, dried fruit, nuts, ice-cream, chips, and yes, my favourite Cheezels to get us through the Christmas/New Year period and often well into January. I know someone who saves them and then uses them to pay for fuel for their Christmas and summer travel.
7. Regifting is great
Regifting makes sense, especially if you are hanging onto something you were given that you don't need, or want, or like or use or that doesn't fit or is the wrong colour. But regift with style. Make sure you don't give it back to the person who gave it to you - that would be insulting and appear ungrateful. Re-wrap it. Put it in a different gift bag or wrap it in different paper. Make sure you have removed any gift card or label with your name on it (double check, just to be sure). Make sure the price isn't on it. And only regift if it is in perfect condition. Make sure any packaging is whole and not damaged. If it is, can you take it out of the packaging? Re-gifting is a great way to save money and solve a gift giving problem, if you are smart about it,
8. Make something
It may be too late to start that queen size patchwork quilt, but it's not too late to whip up some decorated kitchen towels or a batch of fudge or decorate a pot and plant it with some seedlings. There are plenty of handmade gifts you can create using things you already have, that don't take a lot of time (because you know, time is running out) or cost a lot of money if you buy supplies.
When you stop panicking and start thinking the Cheapskates way, Christmas on a budget, even at the last minute, is absolutely doable.
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