It’s getting closer, you guys! Summer is over and you know what that means? Half the year has passed and you really need to save money for Christmas gifts…starting now!
Or you’ll be stuck the week before Christmas wondering how you could possibly still be shopping.
How do I know this? Because I do it every stinking year.
In my house, the party-ing season begins with Halloween in October and doesn’t end until the ball has fallen on New Year’s Eve. It’s a busy time for us and an expensive one!
I spend more money between October and January than I do throughout the rest of the year.
We have Halloween in October, Daughter #1’s birthday and Thanksgiving in November and then, Daughter #2’s birthday in December…1 week before Christmas.
It’s a never-ending season of gift giving and money spending.
I’m determined to make this year different.
Instead of waiting until October (or so…) to start Christmas shopping, I’m aiming to start now.
When I’m out and about, I’m going to start picking up Christmas gifts as I see them.
Shop Now Instead of Later
Each time I see something at the store, instead of thinking “Oh, Dad would love that” and walking away, I’m going to pick it up and take it to the checkout counter with me.
If I see something in a catalog or online, I’m going to order it.
It’s a whole lot easier to pick up a $24.99 sweater one week and a $30.00 cell phone case the next than it is to spend several hundred dollars all at once.
Plus, lots of stores offer great sales throughout the early fall months.
Hello back to school sales?! Utilize these savings to save money for Christmas gifts!
Save Your Cents
Seriously! Save your change in a jar, a soda bottle or in your backyard, throughout the year and you’ll end up with hundreds, if not thousands of dollars when it comes time to Christmas shop.
Get A Second Job
Consider getting a second job during the summer or throughout the fall.
Many retail locations hire seasonal employees, both in the summer and throughout the holiday season.
It’s a great way to earn a little extra cash to save for Christmas gifts or even just to help you get out of debt, if necessary.
Start A Side Hustle
Like above, starting a side hustle is a great way to increase your income to save money for Christmas or anything else you need.
Consider starting a blog, doing some freelance writing or open your first Etsy shop and start selling your handmade crafts.
Better yet, start an Etsy shop and sell printables or informational products to earn a passive income!
Cut Back On Excessive Spending
If you’re an impulse spender…quit it! Don’t pick up the “fun” stuff at the checkout counter…even to look at it.
Don’t buy your morning java on the way to work – pick up a big can instead and make it home – you’ll easily save $100 a month there!
Cut back on all of your excessive spending and save that money for Christmas gifts instead of frivolous nonsense!
Put your extra money away (in the bank, in a can or in the backyard – somewhere you can’t easily access it).
It’s not an easy feat to buy gifts for the whole family for the same day each year, but we love it and the smiles on their faces makes it all worth while in the end!
So don’t stress, just follow along with the suggestions above and you’re sure to save all that you need in no time at all.
I hope you’ve enjoyed learning how you can save money for Christmas! Be sure to signup for my daily newsletter to receive free printables, easy dinner ideas, recipes, home business tips and so much more right in your inbox!
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Have a Spectacular Day!
Vanessa Hamlin is the owner and founder of Food Life Design and VLHamlinDesign. With her passion for frugal living and homesteading, Vanessa loves to write about easy recipes, making money, gardening, home remedies and everything else that a good life entails! When she’s not writing for Food Life Design or creating products for VLHamlinDesign, you’ll find Vanessa reading, drawing, gardening, cooking or spending time with her family.