Liz Walsh from Topdogdays has put together 6 of her favourite top tips to help you save money this Christmas.
1. Agree a budget…and stick to it!
Easier said then done, but hopefully if you set an amount per person then it will deter those impulse buys & keep you on target. Try a pre paid spending card for all your Christmas purchases to ensure you keep on track.
2. Use Loyalty Card Points towards Christmas Gifts
Consider using your loyalty points as payment towards your Christmas purchases. You can either redeem loyalty points in store or, in some cases, exchange loyalty vouchers for rewards. For example Tesco clubcard vouchers can be redeemed for discounted magazine subscriptions, Merlin Passes, Thornton’s chocolates & even half price gift cards.
3. Save Money with an Annual Membership
Why not help someone else save money by investing in an annual pass or regional card for Christmas. These passes & cards can offer substantial savings on entry with many additional benefits on parking & discounts on secondary spend.
There are plenty of deals on annual membership around including free entry for up to 6 accompanying children, (English Heritage), cash back offers, (National Trust) & budget overnight packages, (Stay, Play, Explore Family Fun). More details available at Annual Pass & Regional Card Deals for Christmas.
4. Cash Back Sites
Another option to reduce the cost of your Christmas gift is by using a cash back site such as Quidco or TopCashBack. Instead of going directly to the retail site, this offers you a way to gain money back on your purchases without compromising on price. Simply sign up for free, (avoid cash back sites that require a fee up front), & check out the potential savings you can make on your Christmas shopping.
5. Shop Around for Vouchers
Once you’ve decided on your Christmas gifts, it can also be worth shopping around online for a discount voucher to ensure you get the best value for your money. There are plenty of money off vouchers around, (including MoneySupermarket of course), and with just a bit of extra effort, you can achieve a lot more bang for your buck.
6. Home Made is Best
Don’t feel obliged to spend money you don’t have on Christmas gifts. Thoughtful hand made gifts can be greatly appreciated by recipients especially those made by the younger members of the household. Slippers come & go but my Super Mum pencil holder will be cherished forever!
