If we all sat down and looked at our budgets, I think we’d agree that November and December are usually the most expensive months of the year. Shame on Christmas prep and gift buying!
Well, not really 🙂 Us mamas tend to love splurging a bit around the holidays – decorating, gifting, giving, baking, extra activities… it’s all so fun! After all, ’tis the season!
But, in light of not going too crazy, it’s wise to try and save where we can while making all the Christmas magic happen. Today I’m sharing 3 of my favorite tips for saving on Christmas expenses. I hope you’ll find some of them helpful!
Shop Through Rakuten (formerly Ebates) and Earn a Percent Back
If online shopping is part of your Christmas strategy you MUST get an Rakuten account. Rakuten is a super simple, free way to earn a percent back on your online purchases. Here’s how it works … say you plan to order from Target online (or any other online retailer). First, go to Ebates, search Target (or your chosen store), click the “Shop Now” link and you’ll be automatically redirected to the store’s site. Shop as normal and earn a percent back via check each quarter. I’ve been an Ebates (or Rakuten!) gal for years and to date have earned $446 back from online shopping!
Buy Gifts That Fit In a Flat Rate Mailer
If you are mailing gifts to family and friends far away, be smart about your gift choices! Say your nephew has Duplos and coloring books on his Christmas wish list… I say, opt for coloring books because they can fit into a flat rate mailer. This postage option will save you lots of money because as long as it fits in the flat rate envelope or box, the weight doesn’t matter! So, if you’re shopping and shipping, assess your shipping options BEFORE deciding on the perfect gift.
Ship Directly Via Amazon
If you do decide on Duplos, from the example above, consider ordering online and having the larger and heavier gifts shipped directly from Amazon. I say Amazon because if you’ve got Prime, you can ship for free! And, even better, if you log into your Ebates account first, you can not only ship for free thanks to Prime, you can earn a percent back on your order total!
How do you save on Christmas expenses? I’d love to hear your idea! Especially the ones that keep me from toting 3 small kids to the mall during the holiday craziness!