▲The harder you work to save up a separate stash of cash for Christmas, the more careful you’ll be when it comes to spending it.

▲Everything in shopping malls is designed to capture your attention with their supposed sales, their “perfect gift for him/her” signs, and their holiday window displays. But it’s a slippery slope.

▲Christmas is the same time every year, so there’s no excuses left. Decide early on who you want to buy gifts for, and how much you want to spend on each person—then stick to your limits.

▲Sure, they’re cute and charming, but they’re also completely unnecessary and often wildly overpriced. Send e-cards if you must!

▲Christmas doesn’t need much to be warm and jolly. Simply baking cookies together, watching your favorite Christmas movie, or caroling with loved ones is more than enough.

▲If you haven’t saved throughout the year, there are other things you can cut down on, like buying lunches or coffee, which can put more money in your pocket.

▲Instead of buying each friend or family member a gift, you’ll each only have to buy one. Set a limit for how much the gift can be, and others will certainly be relieved as well.

▲Wrapping paper and gift bags can be ridiculously overpriced, so make it a habit to reuse old supplies.

▲There is no written rule that you have to buy a big turkey for Christmas, and you’ll probably find it won’t be missed either.

▲Shipping costs tack on a huge expense, so set a date before which you have to get it all done.

▲If you come across something that would be a perfect gift, but it’s not Christmas yet: buy it! You can cross them off your list, spread out your spending, and you won’t pay extra later when you inevitably forget what it was you wanted to get them.

▲Before buying anything, even if it has a big “on sale” sign, compare it with those available at other shops and online, as you might find a cheaper price.

▲If you plan ahead and start preparing a nice meal, you’ll avoid splashing out on store-bought food. You can also freeze things to save you time in the future.

▲If you can regularly see how much you’re spending, you’ll be much less likely to overspend.

▲Regifting gets a bad rap, but it’s more like relocating a gift to its rightful owner. Just make sure you don’t give it back to the person who gave it to you.

▲Instead of taking on the full responsibility of cooking, divvy it up among everyone. Same goes for booze!

▲It’s hard enough to restrain your own spending without kids begging you for every colorful thing they see.

▲Even if you’re not familiar with couponing, Christmas is certainly the time. A simple search online can save you big bucks.

▲Frivolous things are nice for Christmas, but getting the essentials like socks and nightwear can save you money in the long run.

▲Exchanging junk for junk in a game of white elephant among coworkers or club members can be a big waste of time, effort, and money.

▲We often splash out on new party wear for the holidays, but no one will remember you wore the same thing last year!

▲Be intentional about being with loved ones, and dedicate time instead of money to them. Choose conversations (even online ones) instead of clutter, experiences over accessories.

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When you start to get stressed, and you feel the need to overspend, take a deep breath and remind yourself of the true meaning of Christmas.

▲Don’t waste money on colorful paper that’s going to end up in shreds on your floor. Instead, go for something upcycled, eco-friendly, and creative.

▲Don’t just browse the stores for gifts. Plan out what would be good for each person beforehand, and go in with a purpose.

▲We get many Christmases in our lives, so if the budget is tight one year, declare a charity year where instead of buying gifts, everyone donates whatever they can to a charity of their choice. Save money, and feel good about it.

▲Instead of splashing out on tinsel that will surely be ruined and tangled, try your hand at some DIY Christmas decorations. Make it a family bonding event!

▲Instead of buying little gifts for everyone, try making something like a bath salt mix or chocolate bark yourself. You can make them in big batches, and they have a lot more heart.

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Christmas is certainly the most expensive holiday of the year. And when that holiday cheer fades away, we're often left with bleak weather and buyer’s remorse. But it doesn’t have to be this way!

It is entirely possible to spend less at Christmas and not find yourself in debt come January. Click through to see some useful tips to keep you on track and get your new year started on a much more jolly note.

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If you can’t bake but you make great decorations, trade your skills for someone’s cookies and you’ll both save.

How to avoid going into debt this Christmas

Stop wasting your money with these simple tricks

25/12/23 por StarsInsider

LIFESTYLE Money

Christmas is certainly the most expensive holiday of the year. And when that holiday cheer fades away, we're often left with bleak weather and buyer’s remorse. But it doesn’t have to be this way!