Whether it’s a last minute move for the holidays, or you’re already preparing for the special occasions that are to come, there’s no denying that gifts can be a drain on your budget, to say the least. If you have kids, or simply an ever-growing family of brothers, sisters, nephews and nieces, it can become increasingly tough as the years go on. Here are a few tips to help you stay as generous and thoughtful as ever, but without having to go broke.
Always keep an eye out for deals
First of all, unless you’re in a total rush and you simply can’t find the item elsewhere, never buy a gift in the first place that you look. There is almost always going to be some sort of deal, coupon, or voucher you can use to your advantage. If you really want to save money, then websites like Groupon are a must-follow. There is a growing number of money-saving websites and, honestly, the more you follow, the better. This goes not just for gifts, for any purchase you might be thinking of making online.
Keep it online
Even if you can’t find a deal for precisely what you want, you should always keep your eyes online and avoid going to retail stores where possible. Sometimes, the retail store might offer a better deal but in the vast majority of cases, you will always find what you’re looking for at a better price by comparing sites like Shopline Boutique. Plus, add to that the convenience of simply ordering the gift and having it come to you, and it’s no surprise why most people do the majority of their shopping online.
Consider a Christmas credit card
Looking to give a little more but don’t have the wiggle room in your budget? Borrowing or relying on your credit of any kind always has to be done with care, and with an explicit, detailed plan on how you’re going to pay it back. However, shopping with a credit card can often be a more financially sensible move. Rather than draining all the funds you need for other things, it lets you set aside money specifically for buying gifts, with the freedom to pay it back after the fact. Of course, this only works if you have the discipline to not use the card for anything else.
Make it yourself
What is it that really makes a gift valuable? Is it the price tag? Usually not. More often, it’s a combination of something useful or wanted, and the emotional attachment that comes along with it. For that emotional attachment, there’s nothing that quite shows a personal touch like actually making the gift yourself. There are plenty of websites like The Spruce Crafts which have tons of DIY gift ideas. It’s worth having a browse and seeing if there’s anything that might be a good fit for your loved one.
The tips above can help you manage your budget while still ensuring you always have something up your sleeve for Christmas, birthdays, and other special occasions.
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