It’s holiday season, and while you should be excitedly anticipating December festivities, you’re just glued to your online banking app and stressing about how you’ll pay for all that entails. While you can cut corners with holiday discounts and free shipping deals, there are other ways to manage your money in addition to these classic price cuts. If your holiday expenses are sending you into a frenzy, try these tips to bring some joy back into the season. 

Savvy Tips for Holiday Shopping

1. Make a List of All Holiday Expenses
Take a page from Santa’s book—make that list and check it twice! The holidays are expensive, but planning ahead can save your bank account from unnecessary buys. But remember, this list should cover everything you buy for the holidays—not just gifts. That can include wrapping paper, traveling expenses, decorations, and food and drink for festivities.

2. Make an Elaborate Budget 
Deciding early on a realistic budget for your list of expenses will prep you for the holiday hit to your paycheck. In addition to making an overall budget, categorize what amounts of that money goes to each expense, whether it’s for the grocery store run prepping for Christmas dinner or planning how much you spend on a gift for a particular family member. 

3. Stick to Cash
When you can, buy in cash. Even if you’re constantly checking your online banking, credit card purchases can get away from you when you can’t physically see the money leaving your hand. This strategy makes you more accountable for your money and gives you a tactile understanding of how much you’ve spent.

4. Strategically Buy Online
When you do need to online shop, try to buy multiple gifts from the same retailer in one purchase. Doing so will save you money on shipping, but it does require some thinking ahead to assure you bought everything you could from that retailer in one fell swoop. Also, checking your online banking app to research what benefits and partnerships your credit card has lined up; oftentimes they’ll have deals for your favorite stores and sometimes even cash back hanging around to give you some extra money. 

5. Get a Holiday Job
If your budget leaves you strapped for cash, offset that financial pain with a holiday job. Retailers are always looking for seasonal hires during this season to cater to the increased crowds caused by shoppers like you. If you go this route, for an added bonus, try to work at a retailer where you would buy gifts—that employee discount will save you a little more dough. 

When you’re stressing about your holiday finances, having a trusted credit union on your side will help to alleviate the burden. With hundreds of millions of dollars in assets and over 60,000 members across Hawaii, Hawaiian Financial FCU is one of the leading financial institutions in the state, with a reputation for combining personalized service with technologically advanced personal banking solutions. Learn more about our broad array of services, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for news and updates, or call (808) 832-3700 on Oahu or toll-free at (800) 272-5255 with any questions.