Save Money On Your Holiday Shopping

It’s already mid-November, which means that it’s time to get serious about your holiday shopping (if you have not already!).

While some say it’s the most wonderful time of the year, your wallet may disagree. Between holiday parties and gift exchanges, this is without a doubt an extremely costly time of year.

Some people may say it’s still too early to start worrying about the holiday season, however, in our opinion, the best way to save money during the holiday season is to start planning and to set a budget as soon as possible. The year has already flown by, the end of December will be here before you even know it.

Plus, there are always some amazing holiday sales and promotions during the month of November. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are already right around the corner, so it’s seriously time to get down to business.

We’ve compiled some of our best holiday budgeting tips to keep you, and your bank account, holly-jolly this season! And don’t forget to check out our holiday toy guide from some great gift inspiration!

Set Your Budget
Do you remember you that scene in Christmas With The Kranks where Tim Allen’s character adds up every receipt from the previous Christmas to see how much they spent during the season? Do you remember how surprised he was when he saw the total?
Don’t get caught off-guard with big bills come January, set a budget as soon as possible. Think about what you can realistically spend on gifts this year and base your budget account to that amount. Be sure to add a small surplus to your budget in case of any unexpected expenses to ensure a stress-free holiday season.

Make A List – Check It Twice
I always start my list early so that I won’t be tempted by frantic last-minute overspending on gifts out of pure convenience. Rushing through the mall on Christmas Eve trying to buy multiple gifts at once is never a good idea. Make a list of everyone you need to buy a gift for and write down what you think they would love, or truly need.
The old saying rings true, it really is the thought that counts. When you are able to give it some time, you can really think of the perfect gift for everyone on your list.
Once you have your list, you can refine it. Talk to other people in your family so you can tell them what you plan on purchasing to avoid duplicate gifts. Start searching for great deals on those items right away.

Shop Online & Get Cash Back
Forbes recommends you use cashback sites to do your holiday shopping, and we completely agree. You’re already going to be spending money (and lots of it!) shopping for your friends and family, you might as well get some money back on your purchases!
Many people don’t realize you can actually shop your favourite stores at Ebates.ca and get cash back bonuses on every purchase! There is no hassle and no gimmicks, you seriously earn cash back on every purchase you make. Through Ebates, you can shop at stores like Amazon, Old Navy, Hudson’s, Best Buy and get great cash back. They do weekly cash back bonuses as well, so you can enjoy even more savings.
Bonus: If it’s your first time shopping with Ebates, they’ll give you a free $5 bonus to get started!

Don’t Pay Full Price
As we mentioned, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are right around the corner. Black Friday starts on November 23rd and Cyber Monday is November 26th. Generally, these sales last the entire week, so you don’t need to worry about facing crowded malls.
While Black Friday deals are often available online, Cyber Monday deals are generally online only and are the true pinnacle of holiday online shopping.
Bonus: If you’re shopping online, don’t forget to go through Ebates.ca to get your cash back! Another great place to score some savings is on the Amazon Daily Deals page – you can find some great items at discounted prices.

Do you have any other great tips for saving money during the holidays? Be sure to share them with us in the comments below.