It’s October and with it marks the beginning of the year-end holiday season. Beginning with Halloween right on through to New Year’s, there is a lineup of fun seasonal events that can quickly put a dent in your budget and set you back on your debt free path for next year. Does that mean you can’t enjoy the holidays? By no means should you miss out on the fun! So make sure that you plan ahead for the upcoming festivities and ring in the New Year with confidence that you haven’t brought with you any extra debt accumulation at the end of the year.
Here are some suggestions to help keep you within your budget goals:
- Try finding costumes at secondhand stores.
- Better yet, get creative and make your own.Dig into that closet and let your imagination and creativity pull a unique costume together with items already in your home.
- If you can’t find something at home, try a costume swap.Post costume requests on social media and offers to swap your old costume for someone else’s.It’s a great way to help each other out and wear something “new to you.”
- Shop candy in bulk or try alternative treats such as pencils, stickers, or other less costly items.
- Begin planning that holiday party ahead of time. Whether it’s a costume party or an upcoming Christmas party, begin researching your menu.Many stores begin to place holiday canned and boxed foods on sale during these months. So keep an eye on your local grocery store ads to save some bucks.
- With Christmas around the corner, check out your Fall sales at local department stores.Many stores need to clear out Summer stock, so load up on great sale prices and get ahead on Christmas gifts.
The important thing here is to set your goals, plan, and stick to it. Whether it’s a trick or a treat, by staying focused, you can make sure your budget goals succeed. If you need to, consult your financial planner or debt consultant to help keep you on track. Don’t let debt haunt you into the New Year.
