Holiday Shopping Saving Tips

The holidays are a magical time of year: it's when your money magically goes from your pocket to someone's cash register.  How much will you spend? No matter what you plan on spending, there are plenty of ways to save.

Tip 1:  Decide and divide

Decide how much you're going to spend - divide that amount among the people you're gifting. Then be like Santa: make a list and check it twice.

Tip 2:  take yourself off yours.

The National Retail Federation says Americans will spend $700 each this holiday season - but that includes $130 we're going to spend on ourselves. Scratch yourself - you've already saved 18 percent.

Tip 3:  Coupons

Once you've decided what you're buying, check online for coupon codes.  It takes seconds and could save a bundle.

Tip 4:  Gift Cards

If you have any, use your unused ones from last year, or buy discounted ones from specialty sites and use them: that could save you 10 percent or more.

Final tip:  Give something valuable that won't cost you a dime: yourself.

There are any number of ways to do it, from baby-sitting to cooking meals to shopping and doing chores. Just make a gift certificate and you're done.

But to use these tips, you need one more: start early. The more time you have, the easier it is to substitute imagination for money.

 Tips courtesy of Stacy Johnson, Money Talks

Save money and choose green alternatives...

Are you one of those people who just cannot keep track of their spending, and find themselves wondering when and where they spent their money? Does it frustrate you that your hectic daily schedule and a busy lifestyle leave you with very less time for taking up environmental causes? Helping the cause of preservation of environment can start with small steps – tiny alteration of your buying decisions, choices, and habits can bring in a significant difference and save the earth as well as your pocket. Implementing the following tips would enable you to do their bit for Mother Earth, while allowing you to keep a steady tab on your spending habits as well. 

Reuse, up-cycle, resell – Putting a check on dumping activities can prevent landfills and infiltration of toxic chemicals into resources like soil and ground water. Do not throwaway plastic mats, electronic items, which do not work anymore, cell phones and items containing chemicals and metals. Reselling your older computer monitor or washing machine is always a better alternative than to simply throw it away – it would bring you some financial return and you would also be preventing harmful chemicals and metals like lead and nickel from leaching into ground water table. 

Think of recycling or simply up-cycling a product. Old doors and furniture can be transformed into storage provisions like bins and shelves. Copper wires inside ducts and computer hard disks can be re-used in jewelry making and other creative pursuits. 

Buy organic and locally grown products – Make more eco-friendly choices and support farmers’ communities. Buying organic vegetables and coffee beans by Fair Trade Association ensures that lesser pesticides and fertilizers find their way into the soil and water resources, thus leading to lesser pollution and protection of natural habitats. While you might not give a second thought to purchase of a fabric made of organic cotton, or roasting your own coffee, its ramifications might be hugely beneficial for the preservation of Earth. What is more, you would be making significant savings in the process, too.