Merry December is approaching. On the one hand, we look forward to it, but on the other hand, we tremble before the pressure of buying gifts for friends, family, colleagues, pets... Frantic shopping carries the risk of sucking up all the charm of the Christmas spirit, and it can also be a real shock to our wallet. Read 8 ways to avoid bankruptcy during the holidays.
These are 8 ways to avoid bankruptcy during the holidays.
Set a limit
Set a strict limit on how much you will spend on gifts far in advance. In the best case scenario, the number should not be more than 1 % of your annual income. If you find that you can't give gifts to all the people you want with this money, maybe think about whether you can also make gifts.
Agree on the value of gifts with others
Situations when we present someone with a disproportionately large or small gift are quite unpleasant. To avoid situations when he gives you an expensive wristwatch and you only give him funny socks, agree with your loved ones on the approximate value of the gift.
Choose quality over quantity
Don't waste your money on useless gifts that will serve as an end in themselves. If you don't know what to give someone, just bake them cookies or make them a voucher for pampering with a homemade cake and fragrant tea. When buying gifts, it is better to buy less and better quality.
Be aware of marketing tricks
Corporations spend millions of dollars researching how to convince consumers to buy their product. One study found that consumers 17 % are more likely to make a purchase if Christmas music is played in a store. The same applies if the smell of Christmas gingerbread wafts through the store.
Shop the sales
If you know what you want to buy for gifts, you can buy them well in advance - best at the sales.
Don't buy a present
You can also make a gift yourself (cookies, homemade teas, portrait, album...) or give your partner, relative or friend a voucher for an activity. You can make a voucher for spending a weekend together in nature, for a movie night or anything similar.
Don't buy with a credit card
When you go on a big Christmas shopping spree, don't take your credit card with you. The most elegant solution is to take only as much cash with you as you can spend, and leave all other means of payment at home.
Don't buy just because you have to
Presents are a nice part of Christmas, but they are far from the whole point of it. Christmas is supposed to be a time when people calm down and connect with each other, and for that we don't need presents. If you can't afford gifts, simply give your loved ones a few hours of your time and attention.
