With under 13 weeks to go until Christmas, the holiday shopping season is gearing up for a period of festive spending. For those yet to start planning, managing a Christmas budget can feel daunting, however, getting organised now can help prevent last-minute overspending and lead to a more strategic approach to festive buying.
Fortunately, the money-saving experts at Idealo have shared their tips for organising your finances in the lead-up to Christmas. From setting aside money each month to capitalising on key money-saving dates, this is how to make the most out of your money this festive season.
Katy Phillips, a money-saving expert at Idealo explains how Amazon Prime Days, Black Friday and Cyber Monday could help you get ahead of the spending game by making smart purchases on discounted items. She said: “The most effective way to save money around Christmas is to begin as early as possible and take advantage of key sales.”
Setting aside money each month
Katy said: “Consider setting aside a small amount each month throughout the year. This approach allows you to calculate your total budget, dividing the amount you plan to spend by the number of months remaining until Christmas, making it easier to meet your financial goals without the pressure of a last-minute scramble.
“If you haven’t started early this year, you can still apply this approach by adjusting your budget for the remaining months before Christmas”.
Avoid the stress of last-minute shopping
Katy said: “Avoiding last-minute shopping not only saves you money but also helps reduce the stress and chaos of panic buying. In fact, a survey found that three in four people believe panic-buying negatively affects their Christmas experience.”
Make the most of the key saving days
Katy explained: “Black Friday and Cyber Monday provide great opportunities to bag the best money-saving deals. Doing your Christmas shopping around these dates can mean you complete your shopping with weeks to go, while also saving hundreds with good deals.”
Key dates to help keep Christmas costs down
Amazon Prime Days, October 7 and 8
The bargains have started dropping already on the global marketplace with leading brands offering up to 40 per cent off. The good thing about these ‘limited time’ deals is you can see exactly how long they will last, some are for a few hours while others are on for several days.
Black Friday, November 25
Black Friday is a great opportunity for bargain hunters, with major brands offering significant discounts on everything from electronics to fashion and beauty products.
To make the most of Black Friday, Katy recommends creating a list of potential Christmas gifts in advance and then pricing them up now on various websites to make sure you snag the best deal possible.
Cyber Monday, November 28
Katy explained how just after Black Friday, Cyber Monday is another fantastic chance to score deals, but this time with a focus on online retailers. The discounts are similar to Black Friday, but with the added benefit of more stable stock levels compared to in-store shopping.
Katy added: “Once December hits, you are less likely to find good deals, and stock on popular items might be low. Instead, take advantage of early sales, shop smartly, and consider ordering online well ahead of time.“