It is now officially November and the Holiday season is quickly approaching. So, how can renters afford to enjoy the Holiday season and still pay rent? The key is to plan ahead and begin saving now. Try these three easy ways to save a little extra green, so you enjoy a happy (and debt-free) holiday season.
- Empty your pockets. If you use cash, empty your pockets and purse every day. Put the change you find into a change jar and hide it from view, so you are able to resist temptation. Let this change build from now until you begin your holiday shopping. (Try to wait at least a month.) Then, take the change to a bank and swap it for cash. You’ll be surprised by how quickly a few pennies can add up. You could also try out the WilliamPaid Simple Savings Calculator to see where you could be pinching your pennies a little tighter.
- Set up a holiday savings account. Join a holiday savings club or set up a separate savings account specifically for the holidays and opt to have a certain amount taken out of each paycheck you receive. The part of this arrangement is that you may even be able to accrue a little interest - albeit small.
- Clip Coupons. If you don’t already, start using coupons at your favorite stores and sign up for free discount cards at the grocery store. Coupons and discount cards don’t cost you a thing and can save you countless dollars at the register. You could also consider going generic. Many generic brands are exactly the same as their name brand counterparts and are actually cheaper than name brand products even with a coupon.
- Hit the second-hand stores. While you may thing that you are attached to every single item you own, you can probably find a few things with which you would be willing to part ways. Sell these items at a second hand store, pawnshop or on online sites like eBay. Put the extra cash you make toward your holiday budget. It’s a win-win - extra cash for the Holidays and a cleaner apartment.
It may seem that it’s too early to think about the Holidays, but soon they will be upon us. With a little planning and smart saving, you will be ready to face that long gift list without fear. What methods do you use to begin saving for the holidays?
