Christmas Shopping on a Budget
Let’s face it, it’s rough out there. Thinking of shopping for Christmas makes me queasy at this point. With three small children I can’t escape the throws, but I can be thrifty and wise.
In August I wrote about Back to School Clothes Shopping on a Budget with some simple tips that apply to Christmas shopping as well:
- Take inventory of what you have in the way of clothes and toys. Remove items that are too worn of that have been outgrown. Be sure they are clean and set them aside (important for later). Do this not only for your kid’s closets, but your own as well. No longer in need of the size 4 power suit? Set it aside.
- Make a list of what’s needed. Remember, there is a difference between need and want.
- Set a budget. It can be per person or in total (in total typically works best for me). My budget is being set by what I can offset in selling items from Step 1.
- Swear off credit cards No credit this Christmas - cash is King and Queen. If you buy online and put on a credit card, immediately transfer cash from your bank account to your credit card for the exact amount. Don’t wait, just do it.
- Make a shopping plan. Start looking on eBay, Craigslist and local consignment shops. Shop at stores with layaway plans to help pay over time (rather than on credit). Place a ‘wanted’ listing on Craigslist (it’s free) to see what you come up with.
I am in need of gently used size 6 boys clothing. If your son has outgrown his and you were looking for a good home, please let me know. Ideally I’d like a bag of clothes - pants, shorts, shirts, sweaters/pullovers for a fixed price ($x for the whole bag)
How to pay for it…
Remember in step 1 we set some items aside? List them on Craigslist (free), eBay (small fee) or take them to a local consignment shop. Consignment shops are doing brisk business in this economic downturn with many people taking items in for cash making the inventory levels higher and more choice for you the thrifty shopper.
More advice?
I’d love to hear from others on how they are managing shopping for the holidays. Let’s here it in the comments!
Comment by Sammy on 5 November 2008:
I have a friend who does all of the above in January already. Throughout the year she buys gifts on sales, by mid-june her Xmas shopping is usually finished and done at huge saving.
Comment by canoer on 5 November 2008:
Heh, I wait until the absolute last minute. Fortunately my family has an understanding about gifting, and we really don’t do much exchanging of gifts - we all have more stuff lying around our houses than we need. I do have a loom and try to weave a few rag rugs over the year to use as special, handcrafted gifts.