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Christmas can be such an expensive time of year and it can be easy to blow out the credit card debt and then have to deal with that in the new year.

Here are 5 tips to keep the cost of Christmas down:

  1. Budget: Number one tip is to work out how much you have to spend. Write a list of who you have to buy for and then set an amount you can spend per person and ideas for gifts you can get within that price. Take this list to the shops and stick to your budget. And remember that everyone doesn’t need to get an extravagant gift, it’s the thought that counts, only buy what you can afford.  Something for next year, you could put a small amount away every pay all year and you’d have a kitty to spend come Christmas.
  2. Gifts: Decide who you really want/need to give gifts too. Even make it all about the kids and give presents to kids only. Another great idea to reduce cost if you have a big family is to do a KK and everyone in the family buys one present to a certain dollar amount and then everyone gets one present each and only has to buy one too. You could also buy group presents where everyone puts in a $5/10 and combines it to get a bigger present.
  3. Shop around: Prices can vary greatly with toys and goods at this time of the year and it certainly pays to check out a few stores before you buy. I have found some toys were $10 or more cheaper at Kmart than other stores, this adds up if you save on a few presents.
  4. Vouchers: If you have to post presents to relatives, it is great to send vouchers as it will save you a fortune in postage. Even with some overseas stores you can get an email voucher to give.
  5. Credit: Don’t be lured into buying on credit as if you don’t pay it back in the interest free period, those Christmas presents could be costing you a whole lot more and it could affect your finances well into the new year.

Do you have a Christmas money saver tip to share?

PLEASE share with us in the comments below

Image credit: Shutterstock

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  • In the after Christmas sales I buy my wrapping paper, Napkins, bon bons, christmas cards, candles, etc. Most things are under half price

    Reply

  • We budget – it is only the way to go to ensure Christmas is a joyous time and not a stressful time.

    Reply

  • Well, I’ve started buying gift already 3 months ago. If there were sales or special discounts, I took advantage of them. I think it helped a lot.

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  • mid year sales are fantastic and the stores usually have amazing layby options too. big w was great this year with layby till december

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  • i do struggle getting my nefews x3 presents because they only go by brand name and expensive stuff. last year i ended up getting them a gold class ticket each and 1 tshirt, threw in a bag of m&m’s.
    im not exactly the favourite aunty for that but what can i give them when they have everything, like really everything. am i looking forward to this year xmas?? not exactly!!

    Reply

  • I like to shop all year round. Check out the bargain bins and sales. I’m usually well stocked by the time Xmas rolls around and stressing less

    Reply

  • I have the kids make lists of anything they can think of so i have plenty to choose from. List has to be done before the end of the september holidays and i have a box for each kiddo and grab things when on sale and stash them away till christmas!

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  • if you shop this week a lot of shops have already started their sales. So you can save masses!

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  • I think set a certain amount for each child/couple.

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  • There are sales everywhere and all the time at the moment. It makes it easier to shop for Christmas. I have less to buy, as my nieces and nephews want money but I’m loving the sales so much and have grabbed a few bargains.

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  • Great tips
    My family been lucky this year our bank lets us put money away every week for Christmas it’s a Christmas club account, we can touch it at all only 1 day a year of course around Christmas time. It has helped us save enough to get through Christmas it’s not heaps of money but it’s more than what we had this time last year as we are terrible savers. & every little bit of money we saved adds up

    Reply

  • Good tips.
    I’ve never done Xmas presents for my family oversees, saves some money ;)

    Reply

  • These are some great tips to follow. We only buy for the children which saves us a lot of money

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  • Great tips for 2017

    Reply

  • Great tips for next year.

    Reply

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