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.

Bargains for a Happy Halloween

Halloween is expensive and although it is over, the immediate week after is perfect for taking advantage of steep discounts. Decorations and all other overpriced Halloween accessories are priced for cheap; which usually reflects the quality of Halloween-themed products.

Think about stocking up for the following year. With decorations and costumes already purchased you will have more time and money next Halloween for carving pumpkins and enjoying hayrides.

If you miss the window for after-Halloween sales, there are plenty of other ways to save big. Purchase candy after other big holidays such as Easter or Valentine’s Day. Make the decorations yourself—this pairs as a great Halloween activity for kids.

Shop online to price compare and be sure to check reviews. Many reviews will not be great, but if it’s a cheap price, then you’re getting the expected value.

Avoid those Halloween-themed retailers that appear every October. Their items are almost always over-priced.

There are many ways to save money on costumes, which, once purchased for the whole family, can add up to a hefty price. Try to reuse or repurpose costumes from previous years. Swap costumes with friends or relatives. More and more funny costumes tend to be the simple but clever ones.

For more ideas, check out this list of easy, cheap, and humorous costumes: http://www.essortment.com/halloween-costume-ideas-50-funny-ideas-52248.html

Trick or treat!

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