Written by: M Katie Helle, CPA
Planning for the Holiday season can be stressful to some, particularly those on a tight budget. When planning for this shopping season, consider the tips below.
- Evaluate your current budget and set a holiday spending limit. Setting this budget is crucial to ensure you spend within reason when shopping.
- Understand what your holiday spending entails—plan for gifts to purchase and wrap supplies, meals, travel, and even holiday clothing.
- Identify what is most important with your holiday spending. Everyone has different priorities, so there is no right or wrong answer here.
- Please make a list and stick to it. Plan and shop the ads for the best deals. There are websites available, such as Honey, that will track the best price for you as your online shopping assistant.
- If gift-giving is your priority, consider making a gift to save some money. Become best friends with Pinterest for great low-cost handmade gifts.
- If your budget is minimal this Holiday season, find ways to make extra money. Consider selling your items on platforms such as Facebook Marketplace or picking up a part-time job.
- Consider the gift of presence. Companies spend billions of dollars to market and advertise each holiday season, making many people feel the need to spend money on monetary items. Still, to many, the gift of presence is all they need. Consider putting down your phone and being in the moment with family and friends. Moments like these are what you will cherish forever.
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Katie Helle has been in public accounting since 2009, with experience in individual and small business taxation, specializing in payroll and sales tax reporting and compliance and QuickBooks accounting software. She is an Arizona native and resides in Chandler, Arizona with her husband, young daughter, and two goldendoodles. Outside the office, she is actively involved with community outreach, enjoys fitness, and can be found with a power tool or two in her hand for her many crafts.