Stocking up on holiday decorations at the store can really add up. And although you would love to have your house decked out for the holidays, you can’t let that expense eat into you gift, food and other holiday spending budgets.
The cheapest place to buy decorations is not Target OR Walmart actually. My favorite place to shop for holiday decorations is at the DOLLAR STORE! And I mean the real dollar stores, like the Dollar Tree where everything is literally a dollar. They have quality decorations and most of everything you would need for holiday decor that is way less than Target or even Walmart.
Stay away from what I call the “fake dollar stores” like the Family Dollar. These stores market themselves as dollar stores, but they sell several items that are $3, $5, or even over $20. Although they have great deals too, they are not as fun as real dollar stores and they can lead to other impulse buys that really add up your bill.
During the month of December, you will find the best prices for the following food items:
- Holiday candy (the week after Christmas)
- Oranges
- Apples
- Grapefruit
- Champagne
- Sparkling Cider
- Sugar Cookie dough
- egg nog
Stock-up! Remember that apples, oranges, nuts, candy and grapefruit make great food gift baskets for Christmas. Buy baskets and supplies from the dollar store.
Times can get a little tough during these rocky economic times and with the cost of food going up, you may be rethinking your grocery bill.
There are many factors that are contributing to the higher cost of meat, but don’t let that drive up your food budget. Try cutting back on your family’s consumption of meat. Since the American diet really revolves around meat, try making at least one night a week a vegetation meal.
Visit recipe sites like Allrecipes.comfor meal ideas. There are tons of stir-frys and pasta options that don’t include meat.
When purchasing meat, buy it bulk from warehouse like Sam’s or Costco. Divide it into sections and store in a chest freezer. If you don’t have a membership, wait to find meat sales from “loss leaders” at your local grocery store. If you find a rock-bottom price, stock up and freeze it for later use.
Cut back on your impluse spending…continued from Part I
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4. Cut back on the number of visits to the store. Lessen the chance you will succumb to impulse buys by avoiding the retail store as much as possible. Try to consolidate your grocery and retail store trips to just once a week. Make sure to make a comprehensive list before you go. Make sure you don’t forget anything during the first trip.
5. STOP - ask yourself, do you really needed this? While you are waiting in line at the checkout lanes, ask yourself do you want this or need this. Give yourself a day to think about any impluse item over $20.
6. Stay away from the mall as much as you can. Do not use the mall as a place of past-time. If you need to buy something from the mall, again make a specific list of items you will be shopping for.
Look for coupons and deals online first before you go. Once you make you purchase, leave immediately. The mall relies on you to make emotional purchases. The cute packaging and store lighting entices you to buy that overly priced candle. Walking past the food court makes your hungry all of a sudden. Don’t put yourself through it. Looking for exercise? Walk at a park or hit the gym. If the mall is your preferred excercise place, then go to the mall empty handed. Leave your money at home or in the trunk of your car.
Impulse spending are like termites to your budget that slowly eat away at your bank account and before you know it, you’re wondering where you money has gone. Know that every one’s money has limits (even the wealthy.) Use this tips to help you say NO to impulse purchases:
1. Use CASH ONLY when shopping at the store. Budget how much you will spend before you head to the store and go to the ATM to pull out cash. When there is a limit, you will think twice about buying that extra bag of cookies on sale.
2. Make a list and STICK to it. This doesn’t apply just to the grocery store. Make a list even for shopping at the mall. Write down the items you plan to buy and how much you can afford to spend on each item. - then pull out the needed cash.
3. Cut back on expensive snacks and coffees. No - buying a latte from Starbucks or getting some candy from the vending machines ar work, every now and then is fine. But if you have a specific savings goal, then this could really deter you. Make coffee at home or in your office break room and bring cheaper snacks from home.
Do you love Facebook or Linked-in? If you find yourself spening a lot of on social networking sites, than why not earn money for it?
Gather.com is an emerging social networking for us grown-ups. Thier target market is for 30+ (although is also a great site for people in the mid - late twenties as well) With lots of interest groups from parenting, photograhy to politics.
The best part is that you can earn MONEY or redeem gift cards for your participation. According the the website:
Gather (www.gather.com) is the only social network that actually rewards members with real money for their active participation. Through the Gather Points(tm) program, members earn points by enjoying the site and creating popular content. A total of 1565 points equals $25, 3125 points equals $50, and 6250 points equals $100 in cash. In addition to cash via PayPal, members can select gift cards from premier retailers such as Amazon.com, Starbucks, Home Depot, and Target. So far this year, Gather members have redeemed more than $230, 000 in points for PayPal cash payments and gift cards, allowing them to have a happier holiday with their friends and family.”
So get hooked on social networking AND earn some extra spending money this holiday season! I will be working on starting my own gather page at michelledirect.gat
Stocking up on holiday decorations at the store can really add up. And although you would love to have your house decked out for the holidays, you can’t let that expense eat into you gift, food and other holiday spending budgets.