Christmas shopping plan without going RED on your budget

If you visited any mall this weekend, then you have already realized the Christmas shopping is in full bloom!

Even though you may feel like bringing everything home that’s on SALE at ridiculous prices that you’ll never see again, it’s time for you to calm down and prepare a list for Christmas shopping.

Check out the prudent way to became one smart shopper this holiday season.

1.       Become tech savvy. A recent article on Moneyville mentioned most buyers will shop online this holiday season. The reason is you can compare, compare and compare! Online shopping will not only save you money but also save you significant time shopping. Compare the prices on websites before hitting the stores. However it’s important to identify what purchases are a ‘catch’ online. Don’t purchase anything that is perishable, or you’re not sure about the size. However, you can never go wrong with gift cards, toys, accessories and home décor.

2.       Use your card rewards. According to recent consumer statistics, every Canadian has at least two reward cards or is involved in loyalty programs. If you hold any reward card, now is the perfect time to utilize as all those points will pay off either now or throughout the year. But make sure your reward program gives you the option to roll over your incentives next year. If you don’t have any reward card use your credit card cash back option. Also check for in-store coupons.

3.       Buy bulk only if you have a big family or planning a big party. Imagine the savings on dry foods, snacks, chocolates and other household items. Some great places to visit are Bulk Barn, Costco. Make sure all bulk items are non-perishable so you can store the left overs to use rest of the year.

4.       Make gift list and stick to it. This is very helpful when you have a strict budget when buying for your friends and family. Make a budget list to know how much you spend for each person. This way you will not end up spending more than you could afford. Here is a sample below-

Name	Gift Idea	Budget

5.       Finally don’t forget to have a great time. We all have certain budget limitations but let’s not stop this from enjoying the holiday season. Merry Christmas!

 For more money saving options this Christmas, visit our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/prudentfinancial or website http://prudentfinancial.net/.