HAPPY TH 20 ways to have the best Christmas ever ... wit
IT’S the most costly time of the year – with families blowing an average of £800 on Christmas.
Many of us will get into debt so here are our top tips for keeping your bank balance healthy this festive season.
1. MAKE A BUDGET
Calculate how much you can realistically afford to spend on gifts, food, drinks and decorations – and stick to it. Consumer websites, such as which.co.uk, have cash planning aides.
2. BE A WISE BORROWER
It is far better to budget than borrow. But if you have to, a 0 per cent interest credit card is best. Many firms, like Santander and Sainsbury’s, offer up to 30 months’ interest free on buys. Just make sure you pay off the balance in time to avoid face eye-watering fees.
3. SHOP AROUND
Comparison websites like pricerunner. co.uk can help save cash on this year’s must-have toys, games consoles and mobile phones. Hosting Christmas dinner? Use a site like mysupermarket. co.uk to find the best prices.
4. DON’T OVER BUY FOOD
If you’re sick of being left with tons of turkey on Boxing Day, visit lovefoodhatewaste.com. It can help you calculate portion sizes, so you don’t overspend. If you still have leftovers, it has tips on the tastiest ways to use them up.
5. SECRET SANTA APPS
Big family? Adults should consider a secret santa draw, which means buying just one present. Free apps such as drawnames. co. uk, elfster. com and sneakysanta.com can help you decide a budget and organise who buys for whom.
6. CUT BACK ON KIDS
It is tempting to splurge megabucks on your baby’s first Christmas. Your bank balance will be better if you don’t spend loads on a gift they won’t remember.
7. STICK TO LIST
Make a list of the gifts you plan to buy and resist the temptation to fritter away cash by picking up extras on impulse. If you can, leave the kids at home while you shop. Their Christmas list will grow if they’re exposed to all of the shiny new toys in shop windows.
8. GET CRAFTY
If you’re artistic, making gifts can knock a huge chunk off the Christmas present bill. Nearly all of our favourite stocking fillers can be made at home for a fraction of the price you’d pay in a shop. Netmums has a handy guide on how to get started.
9. BUY WISELY
Brits spend an average of £2.2billion each year on unwanted Christmas gifts. Royal Mail typically experiences a 50 per cent hike in the number of packages being returned on the first working day of the year. The most likely gift to be sent back? Women’s clothes.
10. EXCHANGE OR SELL UNWANTED GIFTS
Not keen on your presents? If you have gift receipts you can exchange them.
Otherwise you can sell them online – psychologists reckon the best time to do this is in the week between Christmas and New Year because this is when people are most receptive to sales. They expect bargains at theat time.
11. USE LOYALTY CARDS
Many retailers’ loyalty card schemes will let you use points instead of cash. You can use Sainsbury’s Nectar points to buy kids’ toys in Argos, or to snap up bargains on eBay. And Tesco Clubcard points can be redeemed at top jewellery shop Goldsmiths.
12. EMAIL XMAS CARDS
Brits spent almost £400million buying and sending cards last year. Why not send personalised ecards instead? Websites such as bluemountain.com and 123greetings.com offer a range of free options. If you still want to send paper cards, hand deliver as many as you can.
13. CASH NOT VOUCHERS
Gift cards seem like a great idea when someone is hard to buy for but they will be worthless if the company goes bust and can expire in just a few months. If you’re unsure what to get someone, give cash instead.
14. CASHBACK CREDIT CARDS
If you have a good credit rating, apply for a cash- back credit card. American Express offers a card which gives you five per cent cashback on everything you purchase for the first three months of membership. But interest rates are high, so ensure you can pay the balance or you’ll lose out.
15. USE CASHBACK SITES
Check if a retailer is registered with a cashback site. Sites such as QuidCo and Top Cashback pay you a percentage of what you’ve spent if you visit the store’s site via theirs.
16. CHECK YOUR BANK ACCOUNT BENEFITS
Banks such as Lloyds, HSBC and First Direct have deals with retailers which mean you can claim cashback on purchases made using your debit or credit card. Check your account benefits to see if you qualify for offers.
17. BE TRAVEL SAVVY
Book train tickets as far in advance as possible to ensure the cheapest price. Off- peak services and travelling on slower routes will also save you money. Visit splitticketing.com to see if you can save by paying for your trip in several parts while remaining on the same train.
18. AVOID STORE CARDS
These can be tempting, especially if they promise a discount off your next shop. But interest rates are sky high and can plunge you even further into debt.
19. BARGAIN RETAILERS
The cost of wrapping paper and tree decorations can add up. Keep the cost down by visiting bargain retailers such as Poundland, Poundstretcher and Poundworld, where most items cost only a quid. Just buy what you need to keep your budget on track.
20. PLAN FOR NEXT YEAR
Finally, slash the cost of next Christmas by snapping up discount decorations, wrapping paper, cards and even Christmas trees in the January sales. Use this year’s Christmas budget to work out how much your 2018 festivities will cost and put a little aside each month to spread the cost.