Christmas saving tips to get the best deals
If you’re worried about the increase of shoppers at this time of year – don’t be. We’ve got you covered with tips to avoid the Christmas rush, while maximising on Christmas saving! With a little extra planning, you’re on track to have the most budget-friendly and stress-free holiday season yet. And if cash is what’s holding you back from spreading the Christmas joy, apply online and we’ll see how we can help in making this festive season epic.
Do your research first
Avoid that feeling of dread when you get to the shops and completely forget what you’re there to buy. Do some research before you step out of the house and make a list of what you’re buying and for who. Set a budget for each person so you know exactly what you can afford to spend. Once you’ve got a good idea of what you want, check out different stores that might sell that item to make sure you’re getting the best deal, and to check where the items are in stock. You can even check PriceSpy to compare the prices and be completely certain you’re getting the best bang for your buck!
Avoid online shopping if possible
Have you ordered anything online over the last few months and feel like you’ve been staring out the window for weeks waiting for it to be delivered? Us too! If you can, we recommend trying to avoid online shopping this holiday season. The shipping and delivery delays are a bit unreliable! Businesses are having trouble getting their products into the country and NZ Post is overwhelmed trying to keep up with packages waiting to be delivered as Aucklander’s have ramped up their online shopping due to the long lockdown.
In-store shopping is the way to go this year so no one misses out! Plus, you’ll save a buck on shipping fees and resist the online shopping temptation. Win, win!
Go in with a plan
Every successful shopping trip has a well thought out plan behind it. If your mission this Christmas is to prepare early and stay within your budget, you’re going to need a great plan! Once you’ve done your research, make a list of the shops you’re going to visit and what you’re buying at each one. That way, you’ll be spending less time in the mall and you’ll be less likely to overspend.
Get in early
This goes without saying. The earlier you get your Christmas present shopping done, the less stressful it will be. Wouldn’t you rather be relaxing and enjoying time with your loved ones in the days leading up to Christmas instead of struggling to find a carpark at the mall? We know what we’d prefer! Not to mention, some of the best sales of the year happen around Black Friday and the beginning of December. By getting in quick, you won’t miss out on popular gifts and you can snag the best deals.
Make some gifts by hand
Not only do homemade gifts save you money, but they also go down a treat with family! Nothing shows how much you care more than giving something that you spent precious time on. Homemade gifts could be anything from home baking, a scrapbook of memories you shared with the person or even a Christmas hamper with all of their favourite snacks. Start by thinking of what your friends and whānau really love and how you can recreate that at home without having to spend a lot of cash.
Other ways to save some cash this Christmas
Saving money over the Christmas period isn’t just about your shopping habits! Cut back on the spending for your Christmas feast and go potluck style, or ditch the gifts entirely and choose to spend quality time with your loved ones.
When life throws us a curveball, sometimes Christmas gets put on the back burner. And that’s okay! If Christmas seems a little impossible this year, let us lend you a helping hand. A personal loan with Instant Finance can take some financial stress off your plate with a repayment plan to suit your budget. We are the makers of possible, after all!
Terms and conditions, and responsible lending criteria apply.