Saving Money in December *

December is always the most expensive month of the year for everyone, especially for those on a tight budget so I’ve come up with a few ways to save some money during the toughest times!

Meal Plan & Make Shopping List
If you’re not organised or haven’t got a pen, this one is really hard, but stick with it and you can eat well and save a hell of a lot. We each chuck out nearly £500 of food each a year so plan meals for the week and only buy what you really need. I also think you can do the same with your lunches as that will save a lot too!

Sell Unwanted Goods
Take this quick test: You’re at home. Open a cupboard. Look inside. If it’s full of clothes you haven’t worn, or ‘good ideas at the time’ you haven’t used, for, let’s say, three years – you don’t need them. I am so guilty of this! I left around 80% of my clothes and shoes at my parents when I moved out so why not sell them to someone who will actually use them? It can help make money for your Christmas gifts and help someone else cross a gift of their list by purchasing yours.

Use Voucher Sites
Sites such as Gratisfaction can help you save tonnes on everyday items and they even have a lot of items on there for free so spend some time researching what they have on there. It could be worth having a look on there once you’ve created your shopping list for your meal planning to see if you can save anymore there.

 Learn to say ‘no’
You don’t have to go to every Christmas Party, meal or drinks as they can all add up if it’s not covered for by your work. Or if you feel you really have to go along, chose cheaper options; do you honestly need to eat another turkey roast dinner with all the trimmings? There are bound to be cheaper options.

 Just Be Sensible
I know it’s easy for me to say but just thinking before you buy things can make such a difference. The amount of times I’ve put a fair few items of clothing and shoes into a basket online, left it half hour, gone back to it and realised that most of it wasn’t what I was looking for or something that I’d actually wear. I even do it with food shopping, when I get to the checkout I make sure I have what I need, not what I want or the offers that tempted me; it makes such a difference.

Hopefully these tips will help you save this Christmas.