12 quick ways to save money before Christmas
Just because you’re filling a stocking, doesn’t mean you have to empty your hip pocket. Christmas is the time for giving, so it stands to reason that the period just before should be the time for saving! Here are 15 quick, clever ways you can save some money in the lead up to the big day.
1. Stop drinking
It’s alright to indulge every now and then, but alcohol can be quite expensive. If you go sober in the weeks leading up to Christmas not only will you look and feel great but you will also find you have a lot of spare change. And when you have a drink on the actual day it will taste that much sweeter!
2. Avoid eating out
Sure, everyone likes to enjoy a nice meal from time to time, but I think we can all agree that eating out can be quite expensive. Next time date night comes around, instead of going to a fancy restaurant consider making something yourself and having a romantic night at home.
3. Switch bank accounts
This is a quick, reasonably easy way to save some money you really shouldn’t be spending anyway. Switching to an account with low fees will save you money straight off the bat and allow you to allocate more funds to buying that Iron Man toy your grandson seems so fascinated with.
4. Turn off lights
You’re not just saving money, you’re saving the planet. Turning off lights in rooms you’re not currently using is the best way to save a little bit of cash in terms of your power bill. And this means you’ll have more energy to put towards your elaborate Christmas lights display.
5. Cancel unused memberships
If you’ve got a gym membership or Pay TV subscription you’re not really using, it might be time to give them the snip. We’re so busy that it can be easy to forget that you’re paying these monthly and weekly expenses, but over the course of the year they add up to be a significant sum.
6. The 10-second rule
Before you cringe, this 10-second rule isn’t related to the oft-debated 3-second rule for perishable food and the ground. Whenever you pick up a luxury item at the supermarket, stop for 10 seconds and ask yourself why you’re buying it, and whether or not you actually need to get it.
7. Use leftovers for future meals
Instead of throwing your leftover casserole in your next door neighbour’s yard, put it in a container and chuck it in the fridge. Waste not, want not, and using your leftovers for future meals is a great way of making savings. At the very least we’re sure your neighbour would appreciate it.
8. Take public transport
If you’re accustomed to cars, taxis, stagecoaches and limousines, consider the period just before Christmas as the perfect opportunity to start taking up public transport. Most of our major cities are pretty well connected when it comes to public transport and you will save a lot of dough.
9. Cut your hair at home
This is a good way to save on salon expenses and test the level of trust in your relationship at the same time. And of course, this is only an option you should be exploring for quick snips and minor restorations rather than huge follicular projects like bleaching or dyeing. Still, it’s an option.
10. Buy staples in bulk
Of course it’s probably not a good idea to buy 20 litres of milk, but feel free to stock up on non-perishable items. These staples can become expensive when you buy them in small quantities so if you’re willing to make the space commitment buy big and prepare to save big.
11. Stop smoking
In case you didn’t need any more of a reason to quit smoke, cigarettes are expensive. If you quit smoking, even just for the period leading up to Christmas, you’re going to feel better, look better and probably even smell better. Save the cigarettes for Santa this holiday season.
12. Switch to generic brands
Let’s be honest, there’s only so many ways you can make baking soda. Switching to more generic brands for items you typically buy all the time is a great way to save and make sure you’re not spending too much money on items that are part of your weekly grocery shop.
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