Well, the end of summer has arrived, school has or will soon be starting and the fall and winter activity season will begin. Many small towns have their Fall Festival Days and churches, schools, and civic organizations will be planning their holiday bazaars and pre-football game dinners as fund raisers. This leads us to realize that the holiday season will soon be upon us and we need to give serious thought to our annual gift-giving and to questions of paying for these expenses.
Yard Sales, Moving Sales, and Retail Store Clearance Sales
There are many ways to shop for the holidays economically for those of us who are low-income families or retired seniors on limited budgets. A habit my husband and I have developed through the years was to start shopping clearance sales in January. Then when spring arrives and yard, garage and moving-out sales start up, we frequent these on a regular basis and have found wonderful gifts, new or nearly new items for our grandchildren, nieces and nephews, friends, family and neighbors, for next to nothing in cost.
Used Clothing Stores, Resale Stores, And Clothing Missions
Our town has a Clothing Mission, Goodwill Store and a Resale Clothing Shop for children and adults. Also available in some areas are little-used sports or exercise equipment, baby furniture and toy Shops. So many of these items look new and can easily be purchased reasonably priced and wrapped as gifts.
Christmas And Holiday Shopping Clubs With Your Bank
About 10 years ago, we arranged for Christmas Club payments to be deducted from our checking account monthly, which amount we haven't missed since we've been involved with this for so many years. The Christmas Club amount is usually deposited automatically into our checking account by mid-October. This gives us additional funds to use, as we try to avoid a credit card for purchases. It's really tough being greeted in January with a credit card statement showing a high balance due from pre-holiday spending.
Homemade Handmade Crafts Make Great Gifts
Also to be considered are handmade needlework crafts or woodworking, home baked goods, candies or make your own trail mix. You can find unusual jars, such as the old style apothecary jars found in olden time pharmacies which you can fill and decorate the lid easily with a piece of pretty or unique patterned cloth and a ribbon bow. A mixture I make when I find these on sale, is using M & M's, unsalted dry roasted peanuts, seeds of your preference and raisins. This makes a welcome family gift or a smaller version for a single person on your gift list.
When considering making home crafts as gifts, I have occasionally visited craft shows for ideas and once purchased a crocheted dish towel, took it home and figured out how to duplicate it. Since then, I have bought good quality dish towels and even suitable hand towels when reduced at least 50% or more. I've lost count of the number I have cut in half and crocheted, then given as gifts or even sold to women at church, my beauty shop and to friends and neighbors.
Several weeks ago I was asked if I still made these as the woman needed new ones for her kitchen, but I told her my hands weren't cooperating and it is difficult to use the crocheting hook so hadn't been making them for several years.
An IOU For Future Services
Another economical gift idea would be to give an I.O.U. for something you are able to do, such as cooking a meal by request, transportation to a store or medical appointment, for someone without any close family or friends to rely upon. You could offer to mow a lawn, babysit, give a breakfast or luncheon I.O.U. or for a lonely person, offer to spend an evening watching a video or DVD, with a snack you provide, or even just a visit would be appreciated.
Make A Budget And A Gift List For The Family – Stick To It
When it comes to your own family members, you'll want to make a budget as to the reasonable amount you can afford for each person. Next, make a list containing what you think they would enjoy receiving and start watching for sales or clearances. Although the holidays are still several months ahead, it is much better to shop early, avoiding crowds and also not feel desperation when at the last minute you need to do your shopping.
How To Beat Last Minute Shopping And Save Your Budget
Do you procrastinate every year? Haven’t you figured it out yet? Shopping at the last minute, the midnight hour, is when you are most vulnerable to overspending and more likely to pull out the credit card. I know, as I too, have been guilty of this at times, much to my regret.
Now, by shopping a little, all year long, I am usually finished by Thanksgiving at least and everything has been paid for along the way throughout the year. Because of this I save a lot on purchases by taking advantages of sales. When I enter a store, I only look for those big CLEARANCE signs and avoid looking at regular priced items. One of the best benefits I have received from shopping this fashion is that I’m not whacked with a credit card bill in January that makes me break all of my New Year’s Resolutions.
Giving Of Yourself Perhaps The Best Gift Of All
Without the stress of having to shop and think about your budget you can more freely give of yourself in a personal way which I have found is much appreciated. I love to focus on being with family and friends which is for what the holidays were meant.
Wishing you a Happy Economical And Debt Free Holiday Season!
If you want more information on saving money on holiday gift shopping please ask EdGAR.
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