Tips for a Stress-Free Christmas
December 13, 2007 by Maricar
Filed under Frugal Living, Home Making
What is the biggest stress-inducer during Christmas time? Is it too much to do? Too many presents to wrap? Too much food preparation? Not enough time or money?
Apparently, budgeting is one of the biggest stress-inducers at this time of the year. We all like to give and receive presents. Some of us do very well in terms of planning and budgeting. Others just seem to go overboard and find at year’s end that they just spent a tad more than they should.
If you’re one of the latter, follow this link to 51 tips for a stress-free and happy Christmas. Here are some practical ideas for keeping money stresses at bay this season.
* If you have to use credit cards, use those with 0% interest rate for a period of time.
* Sending fewer Christmas cards, or if you can’t cut your list, send postcards, which cost less to send.
* Re-use decorative items from last year.
* Track your spending meticulously. Keep an up-to-date record of expenses so that you’re not surprised when the bill arrives.
* Generate cash by selling unnecessary items.
* Avoid payday loans, which have high interest rates.
* Compare prices before buying.
* Check out special sales and discounts that happen around this time of year.
* Make and stick to a budget.
* Talk to your friends and family to have a Kris Kringle gift exchange instead of everyone buying gifts for everyone else. Make the exchange fun with games and surprises.
* Shop for large-ticket items at moving or estate sales.
* Surf sites like Craiglist and Freecycle for free items.
* Prepare your own food for your parties.
via Mortgage Fit
Tags: stress-free Christmas, Christmas shopping tips, budgeting, Christmas budget, housekeeping, homemaking
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