How to Save Money This Christmas
It's no secret that Christmas is going to be tough on a lot of people this year. The news if filled with stories of lay offs and downsizing. It's sickening really. Well I looked through the net and my brain for some ideas on how to save some money this holiday season. There are alots of ways to do it and if you can then why not.
1. Just buy for the kids. Every year my wifes family were all exchanging presents. There are just too many of them. Buy for the kids and forget the brothers and sisters. Christmas is for the kids and I am sure we can all sacrifice. If there are lots of kids then draw a name or two and buy for one or two of your nieces or nephews.
2. Wrapping paper is such a terrible expense and who needs it really. If you are going to buy some then get to a dollar store and buy the cheapest you can find. Why spend money on something that is gone in sixty seconds Christmas morning. We use the bags like in the picture above and reuse them the next year. When you are shopping some stores will give you a bag or two with your purchase. It's enviro friendly and cheaper to reuse them each year.
3. The experts are pushing to buy used. An Ipod is an Ipod and who cares. Check places like Ebay, Craigslist or a second hand store. Trust me you children are not going to care two seconds after they get their mitts on their present. In most cases they won't even know. You can save a ton of money this way and still get some decent presents out there.
4. Make your own gifts. For those that are handy you can make your own gifts and save. Picture frames, bookshelves or knitting etc. It's endless.
5. Budget and stick to it. I know it's hard but you have to do it. Have a set amount of money and use it. That means searching things out and planning but you will be amazed at how you can save.
6. Finally, shop online. Search out online coupons and deals. Find websites where you can order and pick up your item later. Find websites that offer free shipping, retailers should be bending over backwards to ship for free this holiday season. How do you save? By not wasting gas driving around the mall parking lot, not paying for parking and not wasting your money by eating at fast food places while shopping. Think about it.













Well it took long enough but when I filled up this week gas was finally below .90 cents a litre. I hadn't seen prices like that for a long time. I hope it keeps up the monthly gas bill was becoming a bit of a killer. But if the high gass prices taught us anything over the past year was that we have to change our habits and we can change out habits and save money.






