Frugal Living

One of the stress of planning for the holidays is how to be able to go through it without entirely breaking the bank. And if you have no passive income or even holiday savings to delve into, then celebrating the holidays might bring you more problems than goodwill.

Before planning anything, bear in mind the REAL reason why you want to celebrate the holidays. And to me, that does not mean celebration by consumption, because I am sure you can find other ways to celebrate the holidays other than hanging around the mall salivating over the high tech goodies and mulling over the 50% offs in the mall. Remember, stores have one primary thing in mind– TO GET YOU TO SPEND YOUR MONEY.

Here are a few ideas on how you can avoid breaking the bank during the holidays:

1. Avoid the malls like a plague. This is important because as early as October, the malls are already cranking up their advertising power to get you to spend some or more (even better) by shaving off or using “the we are on sale ploy.” Ofcourse, this would be a good opportunity for you to buy gifts and this leads me to the no. 2,

2. Avoid the malls like a plague. This is important because as early as October, the malls are already cranking up their advertising power to get you to spend some or more (even better) by shaving off or using “the we are on sale ploy.” Ofcourse, this would be a good opportunity for you to buy gifts and this leads me to the no. 2,

3. Give discounted gifts. If you need to buy a gift for an officemate, classmate, family member, children or spouse, October and November would be the best time to buy your gift for the holiday. You can get clothes off the rack or on discounted prices. You can buy CDs for your officemate and perhaps some toys for your children. If you really felt compelled to give gifts, then buy them at discounted rates. Just be careful and check out the items before paying for them because some discounted items especially clothing sometimes are damaged (missing buttons, imperfect hems, etc…)

4. Make a shopping list before hitting the malls to avoid other sale diversions. Buy what is necessary and get out of the mall. Your list has to item and shop specific, for example: if you want to give CDs to your nieces, decide on what CD and which CD place to buy before leaving the house.

5. Use debit cards instead of credit card. Debit cards are good as cash. This is why a budget and shopping list is important. You do not want to be buried in credit card bill during the holidays. Just imagine yourself paying off your credit bills on something you gave your officemates… Not to mention your forlorn face and agony when you see your credit card bill come January…

I know, I know… Christmas is giving, but we must give within our means. If we cannot pay for it in cash, we cannot afford it.

For more frugal suggestions and inquiries, send email to; frugal.pinoy@gmail.com