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Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Don’t stress! There are still deals to take advantage of, even after Black Friday!

Budgeting isn't easy, but it’s a GREAT feeling knowing you have a healthy bank account. Let us help make holiday budgeting and purchasing easier—attend December’s Credit Club! In the meantime, here are some suggestions from our budgeting professionals.

Have a plan
Avoid holiday headache overspending and make a detailed budget plan. Encompass all that is part of the holiday season into the budget, including travel, food, events and parties. There should be a long list of what your holiday expenses are. While planning and spending, think of ways where you can cut back on your budget or save on expenses.

Comparison shop all your planned purchases
Check ads in newspapers and visit retailers’ social media pages or websites. Saving just a few dollars on each expense adds up! If getting the better deal means driving to several different shops, save gas money by grabbing everything while you are already out or try carpooling with a friend.

In the true spirit of the season, the thought really is what counts
It’s tempting to use shopping as a way to get into the holiday spirit. Instead of making time for shopping, make time for friends and family, and creating gifts that are personal. If holiday expenses really have you worried, talk about it with friends and family; they might be just as eager to set limits on gift spending.

Food for thought for the New Year
Employ multiple saving strategies in addition to savings accounts, such as the whole family pooling and saving change over the year. Every little bit only serves to help, and you might be surprised just how much you can actually save in a year while still making ends meet.

If you do especially well this holiday season and spend under your budget, consider getting a head start on Christmas for the following year. After-Christmas sales are competitive with Black Friday deals; cards, decorations, and Christmas-themed gifts will be hugely discounted.

Don’t miss out on a workshop that is sure to help make your holiday full of cheer! This month’s Credit Club “Creating Memorable Christmas Traditions” on Thursday, Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. will help you create those wonderful Christmas memories for you and your family that will last a lifetime! Click here to learn more and register.


Written by: Sarah Cornwall, Marketing Resources, at Family Services, Inc.