The holidays are the biggest shopping season of the year — and the easiest time to blow your budget. These genius money hacks help you save on gifts, travel, and more without missing the festive fun.
While the holidays are the most joyous time of the year, they can also easily become the most stressful. Along with spending time with loved ones, attending holiday parties, sipping on egg nog and munching on Christmas cookies and Hanukkah latkes, it’s also the time of year where budgets are easily blown. The holidays are the biggest shopping season of the year and it’s no wonder that they can be just as financially straining as they are merry. We’ve compiled a list of genius ways to save money this holiday season below.
1 Start With a Plan
The easiest way to go overboard with holiday spending is to not have a plan in place before you begin. Set a holiday budget and make a list of gifts you’ll need ahead of time to avoid overspending or overextending yourself. Utilize apps like Santa’s Bag to keep your spending in check.
2 Cash In Credit Card Rewards
Many credit cards come with some type of incentivizing rewards program. Whether it be cash back, a points system or airline miles, now is the time to cash them in! You can easily cross one gift off your list by exchanging your credit card points for a gift card to one of your loved one’s favorite stores or restaurants! Save on your holiday travel by using some of your miles that just keep adding up or put that cash back to good use.
3 Utilize Money-Saving Apps and Services
There are tons of apps and services out there that can help you save money (Billshark being one of them, of course!). If you are doing most of your holiday shopping online this season, the browser extension, Honey, is perfect for you! Honey automatically applies coupon codes for you so you don’t have to go searching for them.
4 Subscribe for Discounts
While we hate spam email as much as you do, sometimes it pays to sign up. Many brands and companies will send you a discount code just for signing up to their email list. The 20% savings you’ll get right to your inbox is worth the time it’ll take you to unsubscribe later.
5 Don’t Complete Your Checkout
Oftentimes, if you leave items in your online checkout cart, that company might send you a discount code just to persuade you to complete your order. Whether it’s a free shipping code or a percentage off, something is definitely better than nothing! These little savings add up.
6 Stay Social
Many companies and brands will offer special promotions to their followers on social media that the general public may not ever be aware of. If you know your significant other, little one or coworker is wanting something particular for the holidays, follow that brand on social media in hopes that they’ll have a special sale, free shipping discount, or VIP promo code.
The entire Billshark team wishes all of you the happiest of holidays!
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Frequently Asked Questions
How can I avoid overspending during the holidays?
The easiest way to go overboard is to shop without a plan. Before you begin, set a holiday budget and make a list of the gifts you’ll need ahead of time so you don’t overspend or overextend yourself. Apps like Santa’s Bag can help you keep your spending in check throughout the season.
Can I use credit card rewards for holiday gifts and travel?
Yes. Many credit cards offer rewards such as cash back, points, or airline miles. You can cross a gift off your list by exchanging points for a gift card to a loved one’s favorite store or restaurant, and you can save on holiday travel by redeeming miles that keep adding up.
What apps and browser extensions help save money while shopping online?
Plenty of apps and services can help, Billshark included. If you do most of your holiday shopping online, the browser extension Honey is a great option because it automatically applies coupon codes for you, so you don’t have to search for them yourself.
Why should I sign up for store email lists or leave items in my cart?
Many brands send a discount code just for joining their email list, and the savings landing in your inbox are worth the time it takes to unsubscribe later. Likewise, leaving items in your online cart often prompts a company to send a free shipping code or percentage off to persuade you to finish your order.
How does following brands on social media save money?
Many companies offer special promotions to their social media followers that the general public never sees. If you know someone wants a particular item for the holidays, follow that brand on social media in hopes of catching a special sale, a free shipping discount, or a VIP promo code.
