The Tightwad Tiger: Holiday Edition

The holiday season is a time of giving, and although we want to buy our friends and family many lavish gifts, sometimes we may have to cut back. To not go broke for the holidays, you must spend your money more wisely and effectively.

Set a Budget
The most important way to keep your money in check is by setting a strict budget for yourself. This will help for planning ahead in terms of shopping and what kind of gifts to get. Is your budget small? That means your gifts will have to be more thought out since every dollar counts in whatever you buy.

Limit your Gift Giving
The holiday season may be a time for giving; however, if you do not have much to spend, then you should give to those who you feel need it or you care about the most. This includes immediate family, such as your parents and siblings or close friends. It may also be possible to spare some money for the needy if you wish to do so.

Scour the Internet for Deals
Online retail sites are a great way to search for great deals to help save all the money you can. Sites such as Amazon and Ebay have many deals for the holiday season on essentially anything you wish for. However, it is recommended to also look out for deals in-store, which are just as good as the ones online. Another great source for saving will be coupon apps like Groupon. These apps will give you a wide catalogue of coupons to choose from. With coupons and store specific deals, the amount saved will total up immensely.

Start Saving
To prepare for the amount you will spend this year, it is always a good idea to save your funds and practically any money you have to spare. This means something as small as a $5 bill. Remember – every dollar counts.

Buy More Meaningful Presents
Possibly the best way to not go broke this holiday season is to refrain from purchasing the newest tech that might be too pricey for some. Instead, look for a present that has a little bit more thought into it. Attempting to create your gift is another great idea. If you are a good artist then drawing for someone is not a bad idea. A thoughtful present can go a long way and be just as giving as buying an expensive gift.

Even with a small budget, anyone can manage to gift others this holiday season. However, this list is not just limited to people who do not want to go broke. Anyone who wants to save some cash for the holidays can benefit from any of these points. So save a lot of and give a lot this year! Happy holidays!