As early as now, moms and dads all over the world are coming up with their list of Christmas presents for their kids while friends and acquaintances are also mulling over what to give the different individuals in their social circle. And if you are like any of these individuals, chances are, you are concerned about going over your projected budget this coming season. You clearly don’t have to spend that much. You also don’t need to skimp on your presents. What you do need are these 5 ways to save money on your Christmas this year.
Travel & Entertainment
Thanksgiving is a time of plenty and many people center their celebrations around a traditional holiday meal. With the rising cost of food, you may be wondering how to keep the holiday both festive and affordable. Here are three ways to make sure your Thanksgiving is delicious without breaking the bank.
1. Reduce Waste
Food waste is a common problem year round but it tends to be even more pronounced with holiday meals. With all the snacks, side dishes, and desserts, there is just more food than can be eaten. However, there are some easy ways to reduce food waste. Know how many people you are feeding and plan accordingly with menu and quantity. For example, if no one at your party likes cranberry sauce, don’t serve it. It’s also a good idea to have a plan for leftovers so they get eaten rather than thrown away.
Vacations must be the best part of your life. It’s a time when you stay away from the hectic schedule at your work place and just have a peaceful time. It is good to have some rest anyway; move away from the noisy streets with polluted air and have a good time with your family or friends. You also get to learn new things like polar bear facts.
When it comes to travelling, you will tend to look out for the best offers that are available. It could be such as packages where you get a discount for a certain number of people and what not. In as much as you will want to have a good time enjoying your travel experience, it is important that you pay attention to affordability as well.
You can learn a lot when travelling, and depending on your interests you may be able to learn a lot more about history, things like holocaust facts, for example, but traveling can be expensive so if you are on a tight budget, you can enjoy traveling for less as long as you follow some of the advice below.
Here are some of the ways you can save money when travelling:
It’s never too late to pack your bags and take a solo adventure to a new culture. Retirement may be a frugal time for many but there are plenty of ways to travel on a limited budget. Whether you’re planning a European whistle stop tour or seeking a far flung paradise, with a little prior planning you can enjoy the holiday of a lifetime. Follow these steps and the rest of your retirement will be an adventure long after your leaving party at the office.
Reduce your outgoings
A few incremental lifestyle changes will make you a huge saving in the long term. Cut back on your expenses and you’ll be surprised at how much you can save. Start by comparing all your monthly outgoings, including utilities, internet, home insurance and gym membership. Either cancel what’s no longer needed or switch to a more affordable provider. You should also minimize eating out, use public transport less and quit any costly habits such as smoking. As your savings grow, you can begin planning your dream vacation.
Many people are deterred from trying a holiday afloat because of outdated stereotypes and ill-founded notions of what it’s going to be like. But cruises are growing in popularity and are quickly becoming the perfect budget family holiday. So, why not try looking for last minute cruises next time you and your family want an adventure? Here are five reasons why going on a cruise will make your year:
1) You can go almost anywhere in the world
Access is a major factor contributing to the growing popularity of cruises. Stick a pin into any blue area on a world map, or locate any river and the chances are you can get there by cruise ship. So, instead of being deterred from visiting all of those places you’ve longed after due to extortionate flight prices, why not hop on a cruise and travel in true comfort.
2) The entertainment
You might be under the illusion that a cruise will leave you and your family feeling bored. You couldn’t be more wrong! If anything, cruises will take the stress out of a family holiday, with a diverse range of itineraries to keep the whole family entertained, and almost all of it covered within the price of the holiday, having fun has never been so relaxing. With everything from wine tastings, kids clubs, yoga, thermal pools and scuba diving, there will be something for everyone.