Take a moment, grab a calculator and total up your Halloween spending…the costumes, the candy and don't forget the decorations.
So…how much did you spend on Halloween?
According to a new survey by Retail Me Not, the average family spends $83 on Halloween.
The Budget Diet girl is hoping you're not average. If you are average, no worries because I'll show you how to spend less during holidays before you blow your budget on Christmas.
10 Ways to Spend Less on Holidays – Halloween, Christmas, Valentine's and Easter
- DIY – You don't have to be Martha Stewart to whip up a homemade Halloween costume or a homemade gift. Sites like Pinterest are full of easy, homemade ideas that don't involve craft skills or fancy tools.
- Make a List – and stick to it!
- Don't Shop without a Coupon or Coupon Code – A quick internet search or an app like Retail Me Not will yield money saving results! Simply enter the name of the store and the word coupon.
- Remember Homegoods, TJ Maxx, Marshalls and Ross – You won't find coupons for these stores, but you will find huge savings on costumes, decorations and gifts.
- Shop with Discounted Gift Cards – Yes you can buy gift cards to all your favorite merchants at a discount at CardCash.com
. How about a JC Penny gift card for 15%, Homegoods 16% off or Marshall's at 15% off? Discounted gift cards look like regular gift cards and spend like regular gift cards, but you don't pay face value.
- Try a Thrift Shop, Consignment Store or Garage Sale – If you can get past the stigma of buying used, you'll score great deals on holiday goods.
- Refuse to Get Caught Up in the Hype – Marketing folks know how to lure you with impressive displays as you walk in the door and tempting items that seem to call your name as you wait in line. If it's not on your list…walk on by.
- Is it a Need or a Want – If you need an item, and you've searched for the best deal…buy it. If an item is simply a want, and money is tight…don't buy it.
- Try a Waiting Period – If impulse shopping tends to get the best of you and your budget, adopt a “mandatory waiting period”, and chances are the desire for the product will pass. Maybe you make yourself wait 24 hours after you see an item or maybe you're waiting period is 2 days…whatever it is, stick to it.
- Earn Cash Back – If you're shopping online, make sure you earn cash back! Sites like Ebates are easy to use…you simply go to Ebates first, look for the store you're planning to shop and Ebates will let you know if there's a coupon code AND how much cash back you'll earn. 4 times a year they send your big fat check!
Please leave a comment to share your favorite ways to spend less during holidays.
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image courtesy of Stuart Miles, FreeDigitalPhotos.net
In full disclosure, this post contains affiliate links to help support The Budget Diet girl! My advice will always be unbiased and free, but free won’t pay the bills! Thanks!
