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Today: 8am to 6pm (AET)
On the first day of Christmas, my true love said to me – we need to cut costs!
We know that raising kids is already expensive, without adding extra costs for special occasions like Christmas. Here are 12 quick and easy ways to start cutting costs at Christmas (and to increase Santa’s slush fund in the process!)
A budget can make you feel more in control of your finances. Break your budget up into the main costs for Christmas: presents, food, decorations etc and track your spending as you go. There are plenty of free budget tracker apps out there to help you, or check out our online guide to creating a budget and sticking to it.
Unplanned spending over the holiday season (particularly on food and drink) can really tip the budget balance. Try pre-planning the food and drink you’ll need for upcoming social events and then buy it on special and/or in bulk (and BYO snacks to kids’ Christmas events when you can!) Trim down the cost of Christmas alcohol by choosing less expensive beverage brands and buying cheaply from the discount stores.
Without getting too Grinch-like, try to agree on a spending limit for family presents or limit gift-giving to the kids only. Some savvy families exchange adult gifts a few days after Christmas, so they can buy them for half the price in the Boxing Day sales!
Why not swap the commercial Christmas for a DIY-style Christmas? Encourage younger children in particular to get creative by hand-making Christmas cards and wrapping paper. Save on gifts for teachers at school, kinder and childcare by baking cookies or gingerbread instead of giving a store-bought gift.
Keep an eye on the many pre-Christmas sales in department stores and even your local shopping strip, and snap up toys and gifts when they are on special. Try to limit the number of times you visit the shops before Christmas, and keep impulse buying to a minimum.
Is your health insurance policy the best one for your family or are you paying fees for services you don’t need? Try using our easy online comparison tool to help you find the right health insurance for your needs (and potentially free up some extra Santa cash in the process!)
Be careful of added shipping costs that make your online bargains less attractive. Check if there’s an option to pick up in-store or take advantage of online retailers that offer free shipping.
According to Money Smart, 20% of Australians put Christmas shopping on the credit card, so it’s important your card is giving you the best deal.
Reviewing your credit card is a quick and easy process that could save you hundreds of dollars this Christmas. Why not compare now – you’ll be surprised at the impact a simple switch could have on your festive hip pocket.
A straightforward way to save money is to be selective about the Christmas extras you buy. Cheaper Christmas crackers are just as much fun!
Set aside a night to review your family’s wardrobes and cupboards. List unwanted goods and clothing on online selling sites, or hold a pre-Christmas garage sale and watch your Santa slush fund swell!
Having fun doesn’t have to involve spending. Christmas traditions – like touring the neighbourhood Christmas lights or attending one of the many free, council-run Christmas carols events held all over Australia each year – cost nothing but are truly priceless.
Here’s cheers to you and your plumper Christmas bank balance!
iSelect does not compare all products in the market. Not all products are available at all times. Any advice provided in this content is of a general nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You need to consider the appropriateness of any information or general advice we give you, having regard to your personal situation, before acting on our advice or purchasing any product.
