Budget-Friendly Christmas Experience
That Will Make You Thrive (financially)
Table of Contents
Christmas On A Budget
Christmas is considered to be the time of great joy filled with beautiful celebrations, delicious indulgence, and a peaceful atmosphere, but in reality, for most people, it is also one of the most stressful times of the year also associated with huge expenses, mindless shopping and going into debt.
The solution to that is to celebrate Christmas on a budget!
So if want your Christmas to be a joyful time free from pressure, debt, and questionable financial decisions you need to set up an effective Christmas budget and stick to it. You need to take control over your finances, be more organized with your money and take charge of your spending habits so that you will make your Christmas affordable and STILL enjoyable! Trust me, this is your (and MINE) recipe for success!
So without further ado, let’s dive in!
emotional self-care
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GOAL: Boost Your Mental Energy
- Plan everything in advance (Christmas dinner, Christmas party, Christmas activities, Christmas cards presents, decorations)
- Plan quality time with your family, friends, and loved ones (not only at the Christmas table)
- Write a priority list that will help you get organized and stay focused
- Simplify your tasks to save time, energy, and money
- Make a realistic to-do list
- Write a Christmas not-to-do list to avoid overplanning and overscheduling
- Be realistic with your Christmas bucket list (not to be confused with a to-do list)
- Set Christmas goals and intentions behind your goals
- Create A Christmas Gift-Receivers List
FREE Christmas Worksheets
"The Goal Achiever" Workbook
5 FREE Pages From This Workbook
2. Set Realistic Budget & Stick To It
And Stick To It
Setting a budget is like having an accountability buddy that holds you accountable making sure that you manage your money the right way. It helps you to stay on top of your finances, organize your spending and master your good money habits so you can sleep peacefully especially during the Holiday season
- Establish your financial boundaries for the Christmas season
- Set a Christmas budget and stick to it
- Divide your Christmas expenses into different Categories
- Determine how much you can affod this Christmas
- Determine how much extra money you want to save (or you wish you could save)
- Determine how many presents you want to buy
- Add to your budget all the incidentals such as Christmas food, decorating, wrapping paper, gift boxes, Christmas cards, party supplies, etc.
- Decide what you want to buy for each person from your gift-giving list
- Plan and create your Christmas budget
- Put a price tag on every Christmas present you want to buy
- Create an effective Christmas shopping plan that will help you to save your money, energy, and time
- Be a Mindful Consumer (even during this tempting Holiday season)
- Adapt the 24 Hour Rule (Resist the temptation to buy everything you like)
- Use Holiday Budgeting Apps to stay on top of your finances
- Stick to your budget
Expense categories to consider when creating a Christmas budget:
- Christmas cards and stamps
- Grocery bills for Christmas dinner and party
- Indoor and outdoor decorations
- Extra energy costs for Festive lighting
- Christmas gifts for friends and family
- Wrapping paper, tape, and other supplies
- Christmas party expenses
- Party supplies (if you’re throwing a Christmas party)
- Outfit (if you need a special Christmas outfit)
- Transportation (if you need to get places)
- Hotel (if you need to start over somewhere)
- Donations for charity
- Extra tips for your favorite services (restaurants, drivers, hotel, hairdresser)
- Santa’s Bag - Christmas Gift List & Budget (iOS)
- Christmas Gifts and Budget (Android)
- Xmas Gifts List (Android)
- Christmas Gift List - Track Xmas gift ideas (Android )
- Christmas List Gift Planner (Android)
- Gift List Diary - Christmas Present Organizer (Android)
- Giftster - wish list registry (iOS /Android)
- Gilt - Shop Designer Sales (iOS / Android)
- Red Laser Barcode Scanner + QR Reader (iOS / Android)
- ShopSavvy - Barcode Scanner and Price Comparison (iOS / Android)
- Discount Calculator - Price Comparison & Sales Tax $ (iOS / Android)
- CouponCabin - easy-to-use coupon & cashback app (iOS / Android)
You don’t have to get a credit card just to get what you want.
- unique Christmas presents
- fancy Christmas decorations
- delicious Christmas dinner & party
- and more
Ashley Patrick is going to give you strategies to Save Money for the Things You Really Want in a FREE class. Register for the free class here (two different times!) and get loads of practical tips for making big purchases the smart way.
You work too hard to let your money control you, especially during the Holiday season! Why not learn to master your money (instead of letting it master you)?
That’s exactly what the Master Your Money Super Bundle is all about: 51 eBooks, eCourses, and printables to pay off debt, budget like a boss, and reach your financial goals.
Inside this bundle, you will find tons of resources to help pay off debt, grow your savings, and reach your financial goals, and so much more. It’s basically one big financial library — all for $67.
- Set financial goals the right way
- Design a clear financial blueprint
- Eliminate sabotaging expenses
- Make extra money without selling your soul
- and more
Get the bundle here
Do you want to:
- Throw the perfect Christmas party?
- Make delicious desserts?
- Impress your friends and family?
The financial planner is a bundle that contains 30 pages of printable writing worksheets that will help you to evaluate your financial health, set SMART financial goals, set an effective budget, set an emergency fund, get into the habit of saving more money, become money conscious and develop powerful habits for achieving financial freedom.
This printable finance planner kit is all you need to stay on top of your finance!
This kit includes 30 PDF printables to help you take control of your finances:
Evaluate Your Current Financial Situation:
- Yearly Overview
- Yearly Expense Tracker
- Net Worth Worksheet
Budgeting & Finance Planning:
- Monthly Budget with Categories
- Monthly Budget Planner
- Monthly Budget Planner with Savings & Debt Goals
- Subscription Reminder
- Password Keeper
Manage Your Spending:
- No Spend Challenge
- Expense Tracker
- Grocery Shopping List
Set Finance Goals & Challenge Yourself:
- Emergency Fund
- Top Savings Goals
- Savings Tracker
- Finance Goals
- Savings Goal Tracker Jar
All the Trackers:
- Debt Payment Tracker
- Savings Tracker
- Bill Tracker
- Account Tracker
- Yearly Expense tracker
Calendars to Track Your Finances:
- Monthly Finance Tracker
- Monthly Expense Tracker
intellectual self-care
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GOAL: Embrace Your Uniqueness
- Make a grocery list, check it twice and stick to it
- Choose Christmas recipes and plan plan your Holidays menu in advance to save money, time and energy and prevent food wasting
- Pick your supermarket wisely to save money on Christmas food shopping (Aldi, Lidl)
- Buy local and seasonal food to support the local economy
- Bring out your inner chef and cook delicious and healthy Christmas meals
- Try new recipes and prepare Holiday treats that will delight your taste buds and impress your friends
- Prepare spiced & warming mulled wine
- Make gingerbread cookies for your insanely delicious holidays
- Bake a Gingerbread house (best recipe here)
- Ask your friends and family to bring some Christmas treats, wine or side dishes.
Imagine being able to feed your family and actually enjoy the process?
When you’re able to plan ahead, and have resources to help you every step of the way, your experience of the holidays will be like no other year.
You’ll find all the resources you need (and more) in the Ultimate Holiday Cooking Bundle.
When you buy the Ultimate Healthy Living Bundle you’ll get access to:
- 13 eBooks
- 7 Printables
- 3 eCourses
Best of all, you can get it all for just $19.97.
4. DIY Cristmas Presents
The Christmas spirit is about a positive festive attitude and mindset, not about insanely expensive gifts and luxury trips planned mainly to get that one photo that would make everyone jealous. It’s not a competition to see who has the most generous heart or a better taste in buying Christmas gifts.
- Design Your Own Custom Christmas Card with Canva
- Bath bombs & Bath salts
- Christmas ornaments
- Homemade jewelry
- Photo album
- Candles
- Baked goods
- Gift baskets
- Tea & coffee gift sets
- Lip balms and beauty products
- personalized wood cutting board
- Personalized notebook
- Wire photo frames
- Upcycled Terracotta Vases
social self-care
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5. Give Experience Instead Of Physical Presents
GOAL: Nourish Your Soul
- Give experiences instead of gifts - create memories that will last a lifetime (online courses, gym membership, theatre tickets, annual opera subscription)
- Give vouchers to use in the sales
- Plan the perfect Christmas movie marathon night
- Be a DJ at your Christmas party and make sure your Christmas playlist is equipped with all the right songs
- Have fun making snow angels with your family and friends
- Make a snowman with vivid facial expressions and body moves
- Engage in Christmas cooking extravaganza with your loved ones and cook, bake or prepare something delicious instead of ordering it.
- Host A Christmas Karaoke Party
- Host a Movie Night Party with melted marshmallow hot chocolate and strawberry cheesecake.
- Put a family play (have fun at your house instead of going to a Christmas party)
6. Find extra savings
GOAL: Be Mindful with Holiday spending
- Look for Christmas sales and deals
- Shop by yourself and pay by cash
- Set a festive holiday mood throughout your house with Christmas decorations that you will DIY
- Print your own Christmas cards or send e-Cards
- DIY Christmas tree decorations
- Unlock your creative genius and make your home more Christmassy on a budget
- Be assertive & protect your money boundaries (if it feels like a NO, it’s a NO, if it feels like a YES then it’s a YEs) - say “no” politely to things you don’t want to do
Best Christmas Shopping Apps Of 2021
- Red Laser Barcode Scanner + QR Reader (iOS / Android)
- ShopSavvy - Barcode Scanner and Price Comparison (iOS / Android)
- CouponCabin - easy-to-use coupon & cashback app (iOS / Android)
- Santa’s Bag - Christmas Gift List & Budget (iOS)
- Christmas Gifts and Budget (Android)
- Xmas Gifts List (Android)
- Christmas Gift List - Track Xmas gift ideas (Android
- Giftster - wish list registry (iOS /Android)
- GiftPlanner - Christmas Gift List Organizer (iOS
- Discount Calculator - Price Comparison & Sales Tax $ (iOS / Android)
- Gilt - Shop Designer Sales (iOS / Android)
- Amazon (iOS / Android)
Best Financial Apps Of 2021
- Qapital here - Banking designed with your goals in mind
- Wally here - professional expense report app
- Mint here - saving and budgeting app
- Digit here - saving app
- Every Dollar here - budget tool and expense tracker
- Acorns here - saving and budgeting app
- You Need a Budget here - create a budget within your actual income
- Prism Bills&Money here - organizing and paying bills app
- Bill Watch here - managing, organizing and reminding bills payment app
- Albert here - saving, budgeting and paying a debt app
- Tycoon here - Freelancers app
- Personal Capital here - investment optimization app
- PocketGuard here - extra money spending app here - categorizes and organizes your expenses, monthly bills, and subscriptions
- Travel Wallet iOS / Android - travel budget and expense app
Best Resources On Personal Finance
- Personal Finance Books
- Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
- Rich Dad’s CASHFLOW Quadrant: Rich Dad’s Guide to Financial Freedom by Robert T. Kiyosaki
- The Richest Man in Babylon Paperback by George S. Clason
- The Bogleheads’ Guide to Investing by Mel Lindauer
- The intelligent investor by Brando Graham
- Think and Grow Rich: The Landmark Bestseller Now Revised and Updated for the 21st Century by Napoleon Hill
- Magic of Thinking Big by David J. Schwartz
- Your Money or Your Life: 9 Steps to Transforming Your Relationship with Money by Vicki Robin
- You Are a Badass at Making Money: Master the Mindset of Wealth by Jen Sincero
- The Total Money Makeover Workbook by Dave Ramsey
- The 4-Hour Work Week: Escape the 9-5, Live Anywhere and Join the New Rich by Tim Ferriss
- The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America’s Wealthy by Thomas J. Stanley
- I Will Teach You to Be Rich, Second Edition: No Guilt. No Excuses. No BS. Just a 6-Week Program That Works by Ramit Sethi
- The Total Money Makeover: Classic Edition: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness by Dave Ramsey
- Start Your Own Corporation: Why the Rich Own Their Own Companies and Everyone Else Works for Them by Garrett Sutton
- Youtube Channels
- Bloomberg TV Markets and Finance
- MoneyTalks News
- GoldSilver (w/ Mike Maloney)
- Bigger Pockets
- The Financial Diet
- SeedTime Money
- Podcasts
- Financial Times – Banking Weekly
- Morgan Stanley Ideas Podcast
- Bloomberg Masters in Business Podcast
- Bloomberg P&L
- Exchanges at Goldman Sachs
- Financial Times News Briefing
- Financial Modeling Podcast
- Motley Fool Money
- Blogs on Business & Personal Finance
- Financial Samurai
- I Will Teach You to Be Rich
- Business Insider
- Real-Time Economics
- Freakonomics
- The Consumerist
- Calculated Risk
- The Conscience of a Liberal
- Board games
- Cashflow
- Monopoly
Mindful Money Management FREE Worksheets
christmas self care
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- How to Manage Christmas When You Suffer from Anxiety Disorder HERE
- Smart Ways to Eat Healthy During the Christmas season HERE
- Unique and Inexpensive Gifts for Christmas 2019 HERE
- Christmas on a Budget: 7 Powerful Hacks to Budget, Plan & Organize Debt-Free Christmas HERE
- How to Eat Mindfully HERE
- 7 Steps to Detox Your Mental Wellbeing. – Cleanse Your Mind for a More Positive Life HERE
- 8 Simple Ways to Live a More Active Lifestyle HERE
- 6 Simple Ways To Live A Healthier Lifestyle HERE
7. Shop By Yourself & Pay By Cash
stay grounded and practice self control
Who carries around cash nowadays? Well, the simple answer is, those who want to avoid mindless shopping and overspending.
Cash is STILL King!
Of course, I’m not saying that you should pay for everything in cash and get rid of your credit cards ASAP. Because that would be incredibly inconvenient and a bit irresponsible, especially if you mostly shop online or plan an expensive purchase. But we’re talking here about making a carefully calculated Christmas budget that works.
It’s too easy to lose track of how much you have to spend if you pay for your Christmas shopping by card. Not to mention saving some extra money. But if you plan to make most of your Christmas shopping purchase online during the Black Friday or Cyber Monday sales go for it! But remember to track carefully all your expenses using expense tracker Apps.
But if you prefer to go outside and hunt for the best Christmas offers in the city you live you can pull money out of an ATM and pay for your purchases by cash. Or you can use a mix of both. Regardless of what type of payment you choose for your Christmas shopping, remember to keep track of how much you spend and stick to your budget.
- Switch to “mindful spending” mode
- Shop your Christmas presents by yourself to have more control over your spendings and purchase decision process
- Stick to your Christmas gift list
- Hold on to your receipts
- Remember that a cash-only budgeting system makes it easiest to track your spendings
Get FREE Workbooks
Create A Balanced Life FREE printable Workbook
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Stay Positive
Be Mindful
and create a memorable Christmas experience on a budget!
xo Kate
4 thoughts on “How To Celebrate Christmas On A Budget: 7 Powerful Hacks.”
I hope you have a great Christmas 🙂
Simon!! I hope we all have a wonderful Christmas time. I hope we all will get through these strange times and we become stronger than before.
I hope so too 🙂
Have a wonderful weekend Simon! 😃😉