12 Credit Tips for the 12 Days of Christmas
No matter what holiday you celebrate, if you give gifts, host parties or travel (well maybe not this year due to Covid-19), during this time of year, your budget is likely to take a hit. Unfortunately, it sometimes takes more of a hit than we plan and we end up paying for it, in many ways, the following months and possibly year.
We’re going to try to take away some of the stress of overspending with some credit tips that might help you get through the holidays. Plus, if you do overspend, there are some actions you can take to make things a bit easier on yourself. We’ve added those into the mix of tips as well, take a look…
Tip #1: BUDGET
Ahh yes so much easier said than done! However if you can plan ahead of time how much you can afford to spend and stick to that amount we promise you will be in better shape than if you starting blowing you budget with each purchase. You can use this budget planner or create a spreadsheet in excel. Do what you must to develop and stay on the budget you set for yourself.
Tip #2: Make a list
And of course, check it twice. Surprise purchases tend to be a problem when trying to keep a budget on track. Find the easiest way for you to maintain a list and keep it handy at all times. If you find yourself out shopping and see a gift you would rather get a loved (than what you had on the list for them) that’s okay however, be sure to adjust your original list so you are not going over your budget.
Tip #3: Always compare prices
Take some time to compare prices — whether comparing between brick-and-mortar stores or online stores. Based on the merchant and their inventory, the difference in price could be big. There are many great apps out there like ShopSavvy, Honey, etc. that you can use to compare prices before you buy.
Tip #4: Choose vendors carefully
When shopping online, be sure to shop with vendors that you trust the most — for price and service. You want to be confident that you’re getting a reasonable price, and even if it’s not the best price, that you’ll be getting it delivered on time. If you are skeptical about a website you are trying to purchase an item on, before hitting checkout google them to check their reviews and for things like scams and fraud.
Tip #5: Pay cash
When possible, pay cash to avoid overspending on credit cards. By not spending too much on credit cards, you can also stay clear of high-interest rates on your credit card. Which ultimately results in you paying more for a purchase if you don’t pay the entire credit card off the following month.
Tip #6: Save money
This credit tip goes in the middle because although you should have already saved for this year’s holidays, make a note to start saving for next year. Starting in January, there are 12 months until the holidays. So why not make a budget, divide it by 12 and put that into holiday savings account each month? You will thank yourself by the time the holidays come!
Tip #7: Search for sales
Online or in store, there are always sales going on during the holidays, Black Friday, Small Business Saturdays and Cyber Monday. Do some online shopping research and, as with tip #3, compare prices as you search for sales. You’ll never know what you might find for less.
Tip #8: Caution: buy-now-pay-later
Many retailers offer ways to make a purchase now and pay for it later. Read the small print to make sure you’re not penalized if you pay it back early or if you don’t pay it back within the interest-free period. It could end up costing you a lot more than you bargained for.
Tip #9: Track as you spend
If credit cards are necessary, check how much you’ve spent at the end of each day. Make sure to have a reminder of your maximum budget amount nearby, so you’ll know how close you are to reaching the limit.
Now, if you’ve overspent your budget and find yourself in a bit of debt, check out these tips to help you along the way…
Tip #10: Know what you owe
Before the bills come in, try to document your spending. You can add up your purchase receipts or review your credit card purchases online. Remember to include purchases made on payment plans, deferred credit lines, and store credit. Knowing what you owe before the bills come in will help you get started early on the plan to pay your debts back.
Tip #11: Budget for January — March
Assess how much disposable cash you have every month to pay down credit card balances. Whatever is left after you subtract required expenses from income should go toward your holiday debt. Also, try to pay more than the minimum balance due. If you haven’t paid off your debt after the first three months of the year, continue this strategy until the balance for your overspending reaches zero.
Tip #12: Talk with your accountant
Check with your accountant (or use a tax software program) to figure out if you might be getting a tax refund. If you are receiving one, perhaps you can allocate it toward your credit card balances. If you typically file your return electronically, you might actually receive your refund in February, which means you can start paying off your holiday debt even sooner!
We hope these tips help.
LifeGuard Credit Solutions wants to wish everyone a safe and happy Holiday season!
Originally published at https://lifeguardcreditsolutions.com on December 10, 2020.