3 Ways to Save Money and Time This Holiday Season
The holiday season is here, and with it, comes holiday spending. We understand that this season can bring stressful situations, especially financial ones. Your time is valuable and carving out a few hours for holiday shopping in your busy schedule may feel impossible when balancing everything else in your life. We've been there; and that is why we have put together some budget-friendly shopping tips to help shed your holiday gift-giving stress:
1. Save time and money on gift wrapping.
Wrapping paper can sometimes cost as much as gift itself. Have you ever wrapped a present at the last minute? Save yourself the money and the hassle! There are alternatives to buying expensive wrapping paper and worrying about wrapping presents in a presentable manner. Some stores will wrap gifts for you... completely free. If you are online shopping, check into the gift-wrapping options. Some online retailers give you the option for your packages and presents to arrive at your home already gift wrapped. The time saved may be worth a few dollars.
If your budget is especially tight, look into wrapping presents with complimentary newspapers. Free newspapers can often be found around many grocery stores in town, coffee shops, and more. While wrapping presents in this way is a cheaper alternative, it will also give your presents a crafty appearance.
Extra environmentally friendly tip: Most wrapping paper is not recyclable, but newspaper most certainly is! And in the spirit of keeping things green, save your cardboard boxes from online orders so that can recycle them into gift boxes for the holidays.
2. DIY Gifts
The perfect gift is not always store-bought. Homemade gifts may take more time out of your schedule, but the effort put forth in making them will mean a lot to your loved ones. Homemade gifts bring a charm to the holiday season that some store-bought gifts are not able to do. It's easy on your wallet, and you don't have to do it alone! You can craft homemade gifts with your family, which gives an extra special touch to the presents, as well as creating an activity fun for the whole family to be involved in.
Some ideas for DIY gifts may include homemade hot chocolate mix with marshmallows and candy canes to give to loved ones on a cold winter day to enjoy. Do some research and see what you are able to do with your budget when it comes to charming homemade gifts. You may also consider gathering materials from dollar stores, dollar sections, and other clearance areas at retailers to create something new for a fraction of the price!
3. Open a RGCU Christmas Club Account
It may be too late to save for this holiday season, but it’s the perfect time to start for next year. Open a Christmas Club account now and throughout the year, you can save money separately so that you are able to have enough money come the Holiday Season. This way, you are not breaking the bank or going into debt for buying the perfect gifts for your loved ones next year. You may also save yourself from stress too. Open your account with a minimum of $25, start saving and withdraw your money at any time. Stop in to one of our six locations to open a Christmas Club account today.