4 steps to cut the cost of Christmas

Monday 15th Jan, 2018

Tis the season to be... budgeting carefully. Doesn't sound very fun, does it? But with Unify Credit Union's fantastic festive money-saving tips, Christmas celebrations needn't leave you with the kind of financial hangover that lingers into the new year. You are welcome!

 

Presents Research, research, research! Compare online and sign up for price alerts to make sure you are getting the best price. Cashback websites, loyalty card points, online voucher codes and three-fo- two offers will help you stay on budget. Smart shoppers buy packs of things, such as books, and split them up for individual presents. A word of warning about pre-Christmas sales or Black Friday events – do check if it really is a good discount before snapping up a bargain.

 

Food Do you end up buying so much Christmas food that opening the fridge door becomes a terrifying test of nerves? There is nothing better than a festive feast but we all overcater. Instead of three meals on Christmas Day, how about a late breakfast after the present opening excitement and a very late Christmas lunch, supplemented with a turkey sandwich or a handful of Roses if you really can't make it through Morecambe and Wise without starving.

 

Decorations A real tree is lovely but can be costly. Look around for deals such as the IKEA £25 tree with a £20 voucher to spend instore after the January sales. Or buy a fake. There are some amazingly realistic ones now, and you will never have to shell out for another one again. If you have young children, get them involved in creating homemade decorations. If nothing else it will finally use up all the arts and crafts stuff from last year's stockings and recycle old Christmas cards. And remember to pick up discount decorations – and cards if you still do them – in the post Christmas sales for next year!

 

Clothes Christmas jumper day is a big thing in schools these days. Rather than splashing the cash on an item of clothing your child will wear once, or at the very most twice if you count the big day as well, pick up long sleeved festive t-shirts very cheaply at supermarkets; sew a piece of tinsel from the decoration box round a jumper you already own (it can easily be snipped off come Boxing Day) or organise a FB post on the school's PTA page or WhatsApp group to pass on last year's almost brand new tops to smaller children.

And don't forget to pick up a heavily discounted one after Christmas in a size larger to put away for next year.

 

The Money Advice Service says nearly one in three of us feel pressured to spend more than they can afford to over the festive period.

It is not worth getting into 'bad debt' for the sake of Christmas and suffering for the rest of the next year.

If you are already feeling the pinch, considered joining Unify Credit Union's Christmas savings club for a more relaxed December 2018. Get in touch to find out more!

 

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