Halloween may be full of surprises, but your holiday spending shouldn’t be one of them.
Between Thanksgiving dinner, gifts, travel, school activities and family traditions, November and December can bring plenty of extra expenses. A little planning now can help keep those costs from sneaking up on your budget later.
Make Your List Early
Before the holiday rush begins, write down the expenses you expect over the next few months. Think beyond gifts and include things like:
- Holiday meals and groceries
- Travel and gas
- Decorations and events
- Teacher or coworker gifts
- Family activities
- Shipping and last-minute purchases
- Seeing everything in one place can help you set a realistic spending goal.
Start Saving a Little Now
You don’t have to save your entire holiday budget at once. Set aside what you comfortably can from each paycheck. Even small amounts can add up and give you a little more breathing room when December arrives.
Watch Out for Scary Impulse Spending
Sales and limited-time deals can make it tempting to buy something just because it looks like a bargain. Before purchasing, check your list and ask yourself: Was I already planning to buy this?
A great deal isn’t really a deal if it pushes your budget off track.
Give Your Budget a Head Start
The holidays should be about enjoying time with the people you care about, not worrying about what you spent. Start planning now, decide what matters most to your family and give yourself permission to skip the expenses that don’t.
A few smart money moves in October can make the months ahead feel a lot less frightening.