download

Easy Ways To Avoid Christmas Debt by Lisa Page

Christmas time can lead debt if you are not careful. I hope you all know how to manage your money for the Christmas rush. But just in case you don’t, I am going to give you some very important pointers. These tips should help you get through the season, with more than just the shirt off your back.

Make another source of income That's right, take on another business project or go get a part time job. You may need an extra few hundred dollars a week around Christmas time. Christmas season usually opens lots of seasonal part time jobs that will get you through tough times. An extra project online could let you go smoothly through the holiday season also. Maybe spend a little time selling your items off ebay or off your online store. Start that marketing campaign that brings in a few hundred dollars a week.

Make a Master Christmas list List all the people you have to get gifts for. Instead of just listing everyone's name, list their name and a money amount next to their name. If you have 20 people to buy for and have $1000.00 to spend. Then each person on your list should get a $50.00 gift and no more. Gift certificates of gift cards can make it easier, as well as make sure you don't go over the budget on your shopping list. People tend to over overspend or buy things for themselves if they don't have a master list.

Set your budget and stick to it If your budget is $1000.00, don't go over that amount. If your estimate on your budget is over the amount you can afford; go over it again and take off things you don't need. Don't forget to add in for Christmas extras, wrapping paper, bows, cards, etc. Don't buy gifts for people you can't afford to buy for. Make sure to double check your list so you don't forget anything.

Go Shopping Early Get out to the stores early in the morning and early in the Christmas shopping season. By shopping early you will cut out the aggravation that comes along with Christmas grief. You won't be forced to overspend, with all the "so called" Christmas sales around the last week of Christmas. This will also give you time to shop around and find better bargains. Don't buy the first thing you see. Do some price research. Saving a buck or two can really mean a lot. Check online, see if you can find a better bargain online.

Buy the right gift The last thing you want to do is buy somebody the wrong gift. We have all received that gift that just collects dust in the corner. Even though you can't afford what the person wants. Put yourself into their shoes and imagine what they would like to receive for a gift. It doesn't have to be a gift that the person wants. A five dollar gift could be the best gift someone receives, if it's a needed gift. Remember to bargain shop, but don't disappoint anyone by buying a replica or generic Christmas gift.

Make a gift or card It is the thought that counts this time of year. Someone shouldn't get offended if you give them a gift you made, instead of bought. When someone gives me a gift they made, I cherish it. I know they went through more trouble to make that gift than someone who just went in to a store and bought something for me. Everyone has a talent. Christmas time is a great time to show off your talents. Save some money, make a gift or card for someone.

Last but not least. Don't use that credit card!! You will tend to spend a lot less, if you use cash to buy your gifts. Sometimes people don't realize how much money they spend with a credit card, because they don't see the numbers. But when they have cash and not credit, they tend to watch what they spend. If you had $20.00 in one pocket and your credit card in the other pocket; what would you use to pay for that gift? Most people would pull out the plastic instead. Your brain wants you to be left with cash in your pocket. But common sense should tell you to use the cash, not the credit card. If you pay for something with a credit card, the interest will make you pay almost double of what the gift is really worth.

Follow these simple tips and you won't make a bunch of debt for yourself after Christmas. I hope this helps some of you save some money this Christmas.

About the Author

Learn how to start your own home business by following this amazing step-by-step guide. Want to be an Ebay Powerseller? This guide will help you. Check out my Daily Blog.