Tips for saving money during the holidays

It won’t be long before you start getting ready for your year-end festivities. Gifts, meals, shopping ... this time of year can drain your wallet – fast. To keep the occasion you’ve looked forward to all year a joyful one, here are some handy tips to help you save money!

There are usually so many family dinners during the holiday season! That can be expensive, especially with the much higher prices for groceries. And then there are all those hours you spend in the kitchen preparing meals, at a time when you also need a little rest!

With potlucks, each guest brings a prepared dish. It’s a great way to share expenses and discover new flavours! Be sure to talk to your guests as early as possible to give them some idea of what they should bring.

Before you do your shopping, check out this great recipe for big savings:

• Make a detailed grocery list and stick to it;
• Watch the flyers for good sales;
• Stock up on non-perishable items;
• Freeze what you can;
• Use your loyalty card rewards.

The key is planning! Start by making lists for your meals, Christmas gifts and decorations. You can use the lists to create a detailed budget, and you’ll have a better idea of what everything will cost. It’s a good way to cut unnecessary expenses from your list and plan your shopping better.

It’s also a good idea to start planning as early as possible. By getting a head start, you’ll be able to do your shopping over a longer period of time and even out your spending. You’ll also save quite a bit of money by taking advantage of the sales!

To help you manage your holiday budget, download our free budget template – you’ll find it really easy to use!

At this time of year, everyone’s in the mood to celebrate. But the temptation to spend is everywhere! You want to buy presents for the kids, make your loved ones happy, bring your family together for a good meal, and so on. Before you take out your credit card, think about paying off your balance, the January bills, and those unexpected expenses. If you want to avoid getting into debt and having to deal with financial stress that could affect your mental and physical health, set a realistic budget and stick to it.

Do you like to cook? Think about whipping up some treats as gifts: cookies, donuts, brownies, toffee, fudge, chocolate truffles, butterscotch – you know which members of your family have a sweet tooth!

Are you a DIYer? Make a useful gift yourself! The Internet has all kinds of tutorials on how to make jewelry boxes, coasters, glasses cases, soaps, scented candles, photo frames and much more.

Do you have some spare time? Offer to do something nice for a loved one: babysit, clean, give a massage, do some painting, renovations or repairs, etc. To the people you care about, that kind of gift is worth its weight in gold! And why not do gift exchanges? Set a budget that’s realistic for everyone in the family, and be prepared to be surprised!

Here are a few tips for smart holiday shopping:

• Compare prices, either online or in the store;
• Do your online shopping during the special sales for Black Friday (the fourth Friday in November) and Cyber Monday (the following Monday);
• Subscribe to newsletters from your favourite brands; many offer substantial discounts (often equal to the taxes) on your first online purchase, or even free delivery;
• Buy second-hand from online resale platforms, at thrift stores and flea markets, and so on. The same goes for Christmas decorations!

Looking for a gift idea that will keep on giving? Give an RESP to a child or grandchild you love! A Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) is a simple, tax-free way to save for the child’s post-secondary education.² If your family members are out of Christmas ideas, they can put money in your child’s RESP, too. It’s a great way to contribute to a young person’s future by helping them choose the schooling and career of their dreams!

The holiday season is first and foremost a time for getting together with family and sharing good times. And you can have fun and spoil your loved ones without breaking the bank. Keeping your holiday spending under control is also a great gift for you and your family!