13 Ways To Save Time, Money, and Your Sanity During the Holidays

This blog is co-sponsoring the giveaway. Affiliate links may be included. If you make a purchase through the link, it will cost you nothing extra, but I could receive a small fee.

Between now and Christmas there are so many things that we want and need to buy. There are beautiful and fun gifts just begging to be bought. But, to live frugally and simply we need to be very careful how we spend money. It’s so important to face the coming weeks with a plan and stick to it. Here are a few tips to help you stay on track.

Budget

Create a budget and stick to it. You’ll need to make a plan for gifts, decorations, food, and extras. Then, shop by your budget and don’t spend more than that. It will take away a lot of stress when you don’t go into debt just to celebrate the holidays. Grab your turkey or ham at a store like Sam’s Club or Costco.

Live Cheaper in December

Come up with cheaper meal plans. You could have a few extra meatless meals and make things from scratch. Skip the drive-through and make something at home. Cut the electric bill by turning down the thermostat one or two degrees. Skip the coffee shop and vending machines by taking your own coffee and snacks from home.

Offer Gifts of Time Instead of Money

If you have more time than money you could make your gifts. A hand made gift is so special: crafts, cookies, mixes, or custom baskets will make someone very happy.

Shop Local

Shop local for unique presents and support small businesses. Small businesses can offer great discounts and services, too. Many small businesses offer free gift-wrapping during the Christmas season.

Save On Gift Wrap

Don’t spend a lot on gift wrapping. Save bags year after year. I save tissue paper and ribbons to reuse. Gift bags are very expensive so find cheaper Dollar Store bags and paper. You can also buy bundles of generic white or brown paper bags. You can decorate them with stamps or let children decorate them with crayons, glitter, or paint.

Save Time And Energy By Cooking Ahead

Bake ahead and freeze for holiday meals. Most recipes will tell you if the dish can be frozen before or after cooking. You’ll have more energy to enjoy the event if you haven’t spent the last 12 hours in the kitchen.

Stocking Stuffers

So many times I’ve busted my budget by waiting until the last minute to get stocking stuffers. Shop early and grab stocking stuffers on the clearance table or at the Dollar Store.

Don’t Shop When You’re Hungry

Although it’s tempting to treat yourself with hot pretzels or giant cookies, it’s better for your wallet to put snacks in your purse. Carry a tote and bring along a bottle of water.

Give Of Yourself

Give “Coupons” for services like baby-sitting, dog-walking, or another needed activity. Make your own or print out gift coupons with free online templates.

Get Cash Back

Make sure to shop online through Rakuten to get cash back on almost everything you buy. You’ll find all types of gifts and even travel reservations. Travel is cheaper when you book far ahead – train and plane ticket prices will just go up closer to the holiday. If you have a credit card with travel points, you might be able to get some free flights or hotel rooms.

Win Your Gifts

This time of year my blog has more giveaways than every before. Enter all my giveaways and you never know what you might win!

Buy Used

Some gifts can be found on eBay or Craigslist. You could find a gym set or bike that’s almost new. Christmas decorations could be made with cheap thrift items. Thrift stores are good places to find platters, glassware or dishes.

Create Free Christmas Traditions

Most of the best memories are ones that cost nothing. My family loves to drive around to look at lights and visiting drive-through nativities. I love to have a tree decorating night with homemade pizza. Families grow closer with board game or movie nights at home. Help serve food at a soup kitchen, volunteer at the Salvation Army or visit elderly and sing carols.

These and other great ideas can be found in the eBook below. I hope you’ll download this free ebook.

Get Your Free Christmas eBook: 31 Days to Create A Simple Family Christmas

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Christmas – a time for gratitude, togetherness, and celebration. The Christmas Blessings Giveaway is in its 8th year, and we are excited to once again bless not one family, but two, with some cash for the holiday season! I’m teaming up with an amazing group of bloggers with the hope of making this Christmas the best yet for TWO families by giving away $500 in Paypal cash to each family. What would you do with that money?!

While we wish we could bless many more families, we were able to come up with a big prize for TWO families – $500 each (delivered via Paypal) – that we pray will make a big difference in their lives this Christmas season – whether it’s to fulfill their kids’ Christmas wishes, pay off some bills, or to help build some savings, our prayer is that it helps to lessen any financial burden and/or fills a specific need.

There are lots of entry options in the Rafflecopter form below – the more you enter, the better your chance of winning!  I know it can seem tedious and time consuming to go through all the entries, but isn’t a chance at $500 worth it? I think it is!  Plus, all of these amazing bloggers donated their own money toward the cash prizes, so this giveaway wouldn’t be possible without them.  I hope you’ll take the time to check out each one. Who knows, maybe you will find some new blogs to follow.

The giveaway will run from Monday, November 15th through Wednesday, November 24th (ends at 11:59pm EST). Winner will be notified by email shortly after the giveaway ends and will have 48 hours to respond to claim the prize or another winner will be drawn. You must have a Paypal account to win.  By entering this giveaway, you agree to be added to the email lists of the participating bloggers.  Please be sure to read the Rafflecopter terms and conditions upon entering.

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