We understand that it’s only November, and the last thing you want to start thinking about is the stress of the holidays. But as we know, every year the holidays come up much quicker than you expect and can leave you in a financial pinch.
As the Globe and Mail stated in an article from 2013, Canadians anticipated a total spending on average of $1,810 for the holiday period, up 12 per cent from $1,610 in 2014, a survey by Bank of Montreal found. And you can assume the numbers have only gone up from here, making the Christmas holidays one of the most expensive times of the year for most people. And as much as the holidays may still be over a month away, now is the time to start budgeting for this year’s holiday season.
Between the parties, gifts, decorations and food, you will want to make sure you’re going into the holidays financially prepared but also coming out of the holiday season financially afloat as well.
If you get paid bi-weekly that means you only have four to five paychecks left until the holidays are here. And when you think about it that way, with all the regular expenses you already have, watching your bank account and spending habits are needed now more than ever.
That’s why with each paycheck for the next few weeks you should be creating your holiday spending account. Whether that’s taking out cash and putting in your piggy bank or moving more into your savings account each week, bulking up your budget for the holiday season is the key to being financially successful this holiday season.
Now that we’ve brought the holidays to your attention, another way to be financially lucrative this holiday season is to start your shopping early. We’ve previously talked about top money wasters throughout the holiday season, and these tips can also help you not have a giant credit card bill looming over you and keep you from getting financially stressed out. Shopping earlier an also help you budget better by making it easier to keep track of your spending.
So as far away as it may be still, don’t let this holiday season stress you out financially, and be prepared this year with our financial savings and spending tips.
Do you have any holiday saving or spending tips for us? Let us know in the comment section below.
