With consumer confidence finally climbing back up, retailers are slowly becoming hopeful of a merry Christmas after last years let down. For us shoppers however, this means that the discount sprees that came early last year probably won’t start until Boxing Day.
Fortunately there are many ways you can save on all the presents and decorations that needs to be bought this season, and here are five things I’ll be doing to get more for less:
Get in the group-giving spirit
The world of gift giving is riddled with ‘political correctness’ which often makes us worried about how our gift will be perceived. One type of gift which often suffers because of this is the group gift, where you and your friends come together to buy something extra special to the people you love. Probably the biggest concern when doing this is what will happen when you mix friends with money as the last thing you want is for your present to turn into a source of conflict. Have a look at this great article on how to best manage a group buy so no one gets left out or shamed in the process.
Mobilise your coupons
With the internet and smartphone revolutions in full swing it’s easier than ever to find big savings near you. Apps like Deals on Deals and groupon sites like LivingSocial almost always save you 50% and often more or the original purchase price. This is the perfect way to spoil someone you love without turning your wallet into a crater. DealOnDeals is great because you don’t actually need to print out a coupon or pre-register. Simply download the app to your phone and start discovering deals and discounts on the map of your local area.
Go online, but be strategic
We all know that buying online is a sure fire way to save some of our hard earned cash. But what if the person you buy a present for decides to return it? This is a very common problem for savvy shoppers as the gift won’t be perfect unless it’s exactly what you wanted. Luckily, there is a very simple way around this, just ask the person to whom you are buying something for first! Truth is most of us don’t mind being asked about what’s high on the list this Christmas since it only means we get something we’ve been craving all year. Use that to your advantage, as your family and friends will then use this information to then go online and buy. It’s the perfect way to keep your Christmas budget in check and still give generous gifts.
If you have a credit card, use it! (Wisely)
Especially in the big spending months, credit card providers fall over themselves to try and attract your business which also means plenty of promotions and special offers. Check what they are offering and take advantage of it! It could be bonus frequent flyer points for your next holiday or zero interest periods. As a savvy shopper you can make your plastic work for you. But remember, there is always an asterisk somewhere, so make sure you check the reversion rates and don’t buy more that you can afford to pay off.
Start saving early
It might be too late to use a Christmas savings account for this season, but starting now could help you out for next year. The basic principle is easy, spread out the cost of festivities over the whole year and it’ll only cost you a small amount of every pay. Wait until last minute and you’ll have to find the full amount on the spot. Use sites like www.infochoice.com.au/ and www.ratecity.com.au/ to find the best option for you.
How are you saving this Christmas?