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How To Spend Less And Save More During The Busiest Time Of The Year

Whether you get caught up in the spirit of the holidays or have an extra-long list of gift requests, it’s remarkably easy to bust your budget during the busiest time of the year.

There are many costs beyond gift shopping. Travel, large parties, and family dinner get-togethers may be big expenses.

But believe it or not, you can spend less, save more cash, and start the new year without worrying about your finances. Here’s how.

How To Spend Less And Save Money During The Holidays

Reward Yourself

It seems a bit counterintuitive when you’re trying to spend less, save more, and avoid debt, but including a way to reward yourself while saving can help motivate you to continue savings, according to many experts.

When you make savings goals, they can seem far out of reach at first. Rewarding yourself with a treat now and then — a meal out, a new book, a painting you admire —helps you develop better spending habits in a way that depriving yourself until a goal is reached never will.

Take A Credit Card Break

One of the big reasons it’s easy to overspend during the holidays is a thin piece of plastic. Credit card use is rampant during the holidays, and that makes it difficult to track purchases when you’re shopping more than usual.

A good way to spend less, save more, and stay financially stress-free is to give your card a break during the time when you typically would use it the most — during the holidays.

That could mean a credit card freeze for a few months or using a credit card as payment just a few times during the season. Instead, set a holiday budget and stick to it — taking out just enough cash to cover your expenses each time you shop. You may also consider setting a credit card spending limit.

Wait Before Making Big Purchases

It’s not just the frequency of shopping that hits your wallet hard — it’s what you decide to purchase. While sales can be tempting, it (often literally) pays to take some time to think about whether you actually need to make certain big purchases.

Instead of spontaneously shelling out a massive amount of cash on that new phone or latest television, wait a day or two before deciding.

It’s an approach that goes a long way when you’re trying to spend less, save more money, and avoid buyer’s remorse.

Reevaluate Monthly Expenses

The busy holiday season is also a good time to take a hard look at what you can either cut back on or eliminate entirely from your monthly budget.

person sitting with laptop open looking for online payday advance with text how to spend less and save more during the busiest time of the year

Scaling back a little bit on your car insurance and phone plan, cutting one of your streaming services, or working towards lowering utility bills is an easy way to save more money any time of year, but especially during the holidays when spending is way up.

Get Some Help

Managing money is difficult any time of year, but it’s especially challenging during the holidays. So, get some help. There are numerous budgeting apps and other tools that can do the hard work for you when it’s a priority to spend less and save more money.

Such tools can do everything from tracking spending and organizing payments to showing how close you are to a financial goal.

Consider Alternative Gifts

While those on your holiday gift list likely want something shiny and new, they may appreciate a personalized gift more. Tap into your skills. If you’re crafty, consider a handmade scarf or a photo album. Good in the kitchen? Bake cookies and other treats for an unforgettable gift.

Take Advantage Of A Payday Advance

Financial emergencies don’t wait until the holidays are over. And when you need to spend less, save more money, and start the year on the right track, an Alabama payday advance may help you recover from an emergency quickly and easily.

A payday advance is a short-term loan designed to help cope with financial emergencies between paychecks. They’re easy to qualify for and the loan is typically paid back the next time you get paid.

At Alabama Title Loans, Inc., it can take as little as 30 minutes to qualify for a payday advance of up to $500.

It’s also easy to get started. Just fill out the short loan inquiry form on our homepage and one of our loan representatives will call to discuss the details of the payday advance and walk you through the next and final steps.

After heading to a payday advance location of your choice, Alabama Title Loans, Inc. required items are reviewed and when you are approved, you get the cash you need this holiday season either the same day or the next business day.

Get Started Today

Your plan to spend less, save more, and enjoy the holidays is attainable. If you are mindful of your budget and stick to these tips, your holiday season will be much less stressful. And now you know you can get help from a payday advance at Alabama Title Loans, Inc. Either start online, give us a call, or visit us today to see how a payday advance may help you today.

Note: The content provided in this article is only for informational purposes, and you should contact your financial advisor about your specific financial situation.

Emma Frost

Emma Frost is a lifestyle and finance blogger with a talent for communication and a passion for financial literacy. She uses her writing talents to explore topics that help her readers gain financial stability and growth.