5 Tips to Keep Your Finances Merry & Bright
The holidays are a time for joy and celebration, but finding the perfect gifts, planning holiday meals, and managing travel can add chaos to your merry. Never fear! We’re here to spread cheer with smart holiday spending tips to keep your finances on track.
#1 – Set a Budget & Limit Impulse Buys
Start by creating a realistic budget for the holiday season. Break down your budget to cover all holiday expenses: gifts (divide this by the number of people on your list!), wrapping, shipping, meals, and travel. This will help you avoid overspending and may even help guide your gifting ideas. Want help keeping track? Check out our free Money Management tool in Online Banking and the Mobile App!
#2 – Use Rewards & Perks to Your Benefit
Holiday shopping is the perfect time to maximize cash back, rewards points, or special card offers. Look for holiday-specific promotions like bonus points for shopping or increased cash-back rates on certain purchases. These rewards can help offset costs or even cover the cost of a few gifts if you plan wisely. We’re doubling your cheer this holiday season with twice the cash back and rewards points on our Visa Cash Back and Signature Rewards credit cards!
#3 – Shop Early and Often
Rushing to buy last minute gifts leads to overspending. Shopping early gives you more time to find deals, compare prices, and spread your spending. As the holidays creep closer, keep an eye out for early-bird and pre-Black Friday deals!
#4 – Consider Creative, Meaningful Gifts
The best gifts don’t always come with a hefty price tag. Homemade treats, handwritten letters, or offering a skill or service (like babysitting, pet-sitting, or helping with a home project) can be more meaningful and memorable than something store-bought. Find more ideas here!
#5 – Set Your Future Self Up for Success
Feeling overwhelmed by holiday expenses this year? Do your future self a favor and plan ahead for next year. Use a special savings account to pool cash over the next 12 months. By this time next year, you’ll have a solid fund to make worry-free purchases!
