With the holidays upon us, it’s easy to get caught up in the fun, the shopping, the parties, etc., and lose sight of our financial goals. No one wants to get carried away and then be left with the January financial hangover and a mountain of bills in its wake. With planning, this doesn’t have to happen to you. Let’s talk about some ways that we can stick to your holiday budget and achieve financial peace of mind during the holiday season.
Tips To Sticking To A Holiday Budget
1. Make A List – If you make a list of the items that you need to purchase for parties, gifts, etc. and agree to only buy what is on the list, this will help keep you within your budget. Be sure to stick to the list and to set a certain amount of money aside for unexpected expenses.
2. Make A Plan – Search online for great deals on the items you need and plan to shop for these items then. Black Friday through Cyber Monday is a great time for purchasing and saving money.
3. Get A Budget Buddy – Just like a diet buddy, a Budget Buddy can help keep you focused on your long term goals. You don’t want the instant gratification of an unplanned purchase to leave you with a pile of bills in January and your Budget Buddy can remind you of this.
4. Say No – You don’t have to attend every event and you certainly don’t have to participate in every gift exchange if it doesn’t fit within your budget. If you can’t afford to buy everyone that you want to something, A DIY present or a heartfelt, handwritten letter can go a long way.
5. Choose The Right Bank Account – We all have to have bank accounts, so why not have one that offers you rewards and has your financial goals in mind? Take the offerings in Capital One 360’s Black Friday Sale, for example.
Capital One 360’s Black Friday Sale
– Capital One 360 products are designed to save consumers time and money. From online to our mobile app, Capital One 360 is with customers 24/7.
– Capital One 360 Checking and 360 Savings are fee-free and earn interest.
– Capital One 360 offers remote deposit capture with Capital One 360’s CheckMate tool and make savings a snap with the Automatic Savings Plan.
We all know that it’s easy to get caught up in holiday spending. We don’t want to lost sight of our holiday budget goals. Capital One 360 wants to help you stay on track by decking the halls with deals you can bank on, including up to $100 in new account bonuses, referral bonuses and up to $1,250 in closing cost credits. Be sure to check out Capital One 360’s Black Friday Sale where you can take advantage of Capital One 360’s deals on banking, brokerage and mortgage products. You can even share the financial peace of mind with your family. When you encourage them to take advantage of the Capital One 360’s deals, you may even be eligible for a $40 referral bonus.
What Are Some Tips You Have To Sticking To Your Holiday Budget?
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
View Comments (50)
Sticking to a budget and saying no have been the two biggest things I've had to learn for the holidays. Otherwise my bank account is just tapped at the end of it all.
Those are all great tips. I especially like the budget buddy; they can really help keep you on track!
These are all really great tips. I always say I am going to stick to a budget, but I always blow it and go way over.
Sticking to a budget is the hardest thing this time of year. Especially when other people decide there's not enough under the tree and buy MORE.
I am a list maker and that usually helps me stick to a plan when I go out shopping. Usually.
I have a lisit and a budget for each list and I stick to it. I also don't usually venture off of it and I allow room to donate to charities.
At this time of year it is so easy to go overboard. Making and sticking with a budget is a great idea.
I've learned to just say no over the years. And the people you say no to, still love you anyway, lol. Most people understand no comes with a reason. Good tips here!
Make a list and budget. That is the way to go.
Budgets are the least fun, most important part of the holidays. I like to reward myself with a cookie once I'm done with drawing up a budget. Incentive!
Great idea! I think cookies make great incentives. :)