Previously, we shared five money-saving techniques during the Christmas season. Apparently, that’s not enough to make sure that you still have something left on your wallet by the time you get back to the country where you’re working.
How else can you still save money during the holidays? You should try these tips:
Tip No. 1: Consider re-gifting the items you did not use.
Surely, you have mugs, tumblers, shirts, or other unopened items inside your cabinet, which you got from other people. Why not put them into good use and give them to your friends or colleagues who can use these items? This will help you save money and at the same time, free some space inside your cabinet.
Just make sure that the items you will re-gift will fit the personality of the receiver and as good as new.
Tip No. 2: Don’t settle for the usual gift wrapper.
Buying a gift wrapper means costs. Sadly, the wrapper you paid for will be ripped and torn into pieces.
Save yourself some cash and use magazines or newspapers as your gift wrapper. If you have unused paper bags, go ahead and use them as well. If you want to be creative, doodle on the Manila paper and use it as a gift wrapper, too. This will help you save more cash in the long run.
Tip No. 3: Always give practical gifts.
It’s the thought that counts, so they say. When giving gifts, make sure you go for something that the receiver will not just appreciate but also use and benefit from it. Don’t settle for the generics like shirt and mugs just for the sake of giving something to someone. Keep it simple and practical, yet useful.
Tip No. 4: Look at the price tag.
One of the reasons why people get broke is because they just buy whatever they see without any regard to the price of the item. Don’t be like them.
Surely, you want to keep your family happy but buying an item that is way beyond your budget is not advisable. Make it a habit to check the price tag to help you keep track of how much you are already spending. Always be conscious of your spending to be able to save more during the season.
Tip No. 5: Make Christmas get-togethers affordable.
Not all OFWs can go home during the Christmas season. If you are one of them, then that’s okay since you can still celebrate Christmas with fellow OFWs.
In that case, keep your celebration simple and affordable. Assign a place, preferably somewhere you don’t have to pay for rental fee, and have a potluck instead of getting a caterer. Have a videoke night or play games to keep it fun and enjoyable without hurting your budget.
Tip No. 6: Try DIY in gift-giving.
Are you good at crafts? Now is the best time to bring out your creative side and give gifts using your own hands. It allows you to save more money and at the same time, makes gifts more personal.
Who knows, this could be a good stepping stone for a business. Word of mouth is a powerful tool, so make sure you put some effort into your gifts.