The holiday season is always my favorite and happiest time of year—the same, unfortunately, cannot be said for my bank account. It seems like every year, my gift-giving list grows bigger and bigger, but that doesn’t mean I have to spend more and more. Here are some simple ways to keep spreading the joy this season without breaking the bank.
Set a Budget—and stick to it
Similar to To-Do lists, sticking to a budget is easier said than done. Make a list of everyone you’re getting a gift for, and set a maximum amount to spend on each person. That way you know upfront how much you’re going to be spending this holiday season. It also might be helpful to tack on an extra $20 in case the old high school friend that you haven’t seen in two years gets you a gift, and then you’re covered.
Shop the sales
Never shopped Black Friday before? Now is the time to start. The sales are well worth it, and they can end up saving you some serious $$ down the line. And as college students, we have no excuses when it comes to the notorious Black Friday madness. We’re young, we’re tough, and we can handle a little chaos. So this Black Friday, set your alarm, grab a latte, and see what kind of deals you can score.
It’s like a chose-your-own-adventure game, but with shopping—now tell me that doesn’t sound amazing?
Sell it back
Remember that biology book you bought for $200 and opened once? Yeah, it’s time to part ways and sell it to some other pour soul taking the class next semester. Let’s be honest, if you didn’t use it all semester, there’s no shot of you using it now. Other great items to sell back are last year’s clothes that are just gathering dust in your closet. It’s a great way to earn some cash while making your room for this year’s must-haves.
By following this budget tips, you’ll be able to check everything off your gift list and keep your bank account happy!