5 Ways to Save Money During the Holiday Season

The holiday season can be great for many reasons. It’s a great time to be with friends and family, throw company parties, and attend religious gatherings. While the holiday season can be great it can also be very stressful. Naturally there are a lot of reasons for this, but it seems the one main reason is financial obligations. With so much going on during the holiday season, it is quite easy to lose track of how you are spending your money until it is too late. Here are five ways to save money during the holiday season…

1. Know Your Budget

The biggest piece of advice we can give is to know your limitations. Figure out what is worth purchasing and doing and what is not. We’re not saying that you should limit your holiday activities, but we are encouraging you to be smart with your money. By setting a budget of how much you can afford to spend during the holidays, you will be putting yourself in a position to stay #FinanciallyFit. Your budget should include: gifts being purchased, food costs, travel costs, event costs, and anything else you plan on doing over the holidays. Create this budget, then be prepared to stick to it. It won’t be easy, but it will be rewarding.

2. Homemade Gifts
Some of the best gifts are not ones that cost a lot, but rather those that come from the heart. Instead of spending your money on gifts for family and friends, invest your time and talent into creating their gifts yourself. To most people, family and friends mean more than anyone, so think of something that they would enjoy. Here are some possible gifts to make:

• Blankets 
• Hats & scarves 
• Toy chests & jewelry boxes 
• Artwork 

3. Do Activities That Don’t Require Money

An outing with friends and family is a great way to spend time with those closest to you. However, not everything you do needs to cost money. There are plenty of things that don’t cost money, such as:

• Iceskating 
• Sledding/Skiing 
• Caroling 
• Snowshoeing 

These are not only examples of creative family gifts that they will remember forever, but also a good way to stay active and get outside during the winter.

4. Potlucks
The typical holiday feasts are definitely something that most people look forward to. The holiday season is sure to be filled with delicious meals. However, these meals can be quite expensive for one person or family to host. Consider pitching in and having a team effort. A potluck is a great way for everyone to join in on contributing to the feast. Through a potluck, you might be able to enjoy foods you would perhaps normally be hesitant to try.

5. Save your money

Earlier, we covered setting a budget and sticking to it. Have you ever thought about the best way to use the gift cards and financial gifts you receive during the holiday season? It seems as though our natural impulses tell us to instantly spend it, but that is not acting #FinanciallyFit. Rather, resist your natural urges and save your money. Think about what you would spend money on if you had not been given the money as a gift. Once you are absolutely sure what you want and CAN afford it, go ahead. You will be in a much better situation to enjoy your purchases.


Hopefully these five tips help you better stay ahead financially and enjoy the holiday season!

How To Stay Financially Fit During The Holidays

Hi everyone it’s Financially Fit Phoebe here! With all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. I am here give you the tools you need to be financially fit this holiday season, so you can celebrate the holidays with ease!

Allow Time

The holiday season always tends to fly by! Can you believe that there are only 14 more days until Christmas? I can’t! To avoid impulse holiday shopping, make a holiday calendar. This calendar will include what days you will buy gifts for each person, when you will cook & bake holiday treats, and when you want to have your holiday decorations up by. When making your holiday calendar compare it to your paydays and when bills are due.

Decide How Much You Can Spend

The first step to being financially fit during the holiday is creating a budget. The first thing I like to do is come up with a holiday budget (this will include everything). Next I take my holiday budget and divide it into four categories: gifts, food, decorations and other. Here is how you can make sure you follow your budget for each category:

Gifts: First, make a list of all the people you plan to give gifts to. Then, next to each person’s name write the amount of money you will spend on their gift. Lastly add up the numbers next to each person’s name to make sure it does not exceed your allotted gift budget.

Food: Many of us look forward to holiday treats and food; I know I do! To avoid getting a bad taste in your mouths (because you spent too much on holiday foods) I recommend you make a list of all the holiday treats and foods you plan to make. Next to each holiday treat or food write how much it will cost to make. Don’t forget to add ingredients up like sugar and sprinkles! Lastly, add up how much money it will cost to make everything and make sure it fits in your budget.

Decorations: One of the easiest ways to cut back on holiday spending is the decorations. Set up all of your old holiday decorations before you buy any new ones. To save some cash have your kids, nieces and nephews make holiday decorations with you. If after doing all this you feel like your home could use a little more holiday cheer, then go buy a few more decorations- but remember, stick to your budget!

Other: This list is one many people forget about. Under this list should be gas money to go to stores, shipping costs, gift-wrap, and any additional things you will need during the holiday season. They might not seem like they cost a lot, but added all together you’d be surprised!

DIY Gifts

I think the best gifts are handmade. Some DIY gifts that I love are mason jars filled with treats, crayon art, letter art, handmade soaps and upcycled art. If you need some more DIY gift ideas take a look at St. Cloud Federal Credit Union’s “DIY Gifts” Pinterest board. 

If you are feeling overwhelmed with all of your holiday expenses do not hesitate to call St. Cloud Federal Credit Union, we’d be happy to help!

xo,

~Phoebe

Five Fall Financial Fitness Tips

Whoa, say that title ten times fast!  Fall is always a fun time of year; colors are changing, leaves are falling, and temps are beginning to drop.  Making the most of autumn while staying Financially Fit may be easier than you think! Check out this list of five money-saving tips we put together...

1.  Home-heating costs are not cheap, especially for us Minnesotans.  Before the Temperature cools way down, consider taking another look at how 'weatherproof' your home is.  It may cost you a bit up front, but it will save you a lot in heating and maintenance costs in the upcoming winter months!

2. Fresh foods are plentiful and inexpensive during this time of year.  You can still grab summer favorites like tomatoes, peppers, corn, and cucumbers AND add in fall favorites like butternut squash, grapes, and sweet potatoes for tasty, nutritious, and affordable meals.  And remember, as herbs and summer annuals start to seed, take a few minutes to collect seeds for next year. This can be an easy way to keep your garden going from year to year, without making it a huge investment!

3. Cooking with a crock pot rather than a stove can save you money in energy costs.  You can make a lot of yummy, healthy meals with a crock pot, and it will save you time too.  Simply throw ingredients in and let the crock pot do the work!

4. Fall is a great time of year to use nature for seasonal decorations.  While the goodies at home decor stores can be tempting, you can have a festive home for a lot less!  Gather acorns, twigs, leaves, or corn stalks for a fun Thanksgiving table, or snag leftover Halloween pumpkins to create a harvest scene!

5.  The Thanksgiving season triggers sales on all sorts of baking supplies – flour, sugar, chocolate chips, spices, nuts and more! Do an inventory of what you have to figure out what you're running low on. Then, stock up! *Tip: Be sure to check for coupons before you head to the store. This time of year you'll find coupons for the ‘staple’ baking items!

Bonus Tip:  If the cost of the Holidays is starting to stress you out, make sure to take some time to set a holiday budget and spending plan. If you haven’t done it yet, November is the best time to plan for spending in the month of December.  If you’re Financially Fit during the Holiday Season, you’re bound to enjoy it even more!

There are always ways you can have fun and enjoy the season while keeping your Financial Fitness in mind… Stay tuned for more tips, tricks, and Financial Fitness ideas!

Our mission is to educate, support, and encourage our Members to become Financially Fit.

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