The holiday season is a time for joy, love, and giving. But it doesn’t have to be a time of financial stress. At Minnequa Works Credit Union, we’re here to help you navigate the festive season while staying within your budget. We want to provide some of our valuable tips to save money during the holidays and make this time even more enjoyable.
Opt for Fun, Low-Cost Activities
The holiday season doesn’t have to be about extravagant spending. Focusing in on budget-friendly and fun family activities can help add exciting memories without a hard hit to the wallet. Here are a few of our favorite recommendations:
Holiday Movie Nights
Host a cozy movie night with your favorite holiday classics. Pop some popcorn, make hot cocoa and enjoy quality family time. Have everyone pick their favorite holiday movie and take turns watching them together.
Baking Parties
Gather in the kitchen to bake holiday treats and cookies together as a family. It’s an enjoyable and cost-effective way to connect and have a fun time decorating treats with colorful icing and sprinkles.
Outdoor Adventures
Embrace the season in Southern Colorado! Find a nearby snowy hill to sled down or go ice skating at the local rink. Or dress warmly, take a mug of hot cocoa to go, and take a stroll around town to see holiday light displays.
Volunteer Together
How about giving the gift of time this holiday season? Give back to the community by volunteering together with friends and family. The spirit of giving through volunteerism is a wonderful way to celebrate the holiday season. Look for opportunities to serve organizations that you are passionate about to help the community.
Financial Tools to Help
In addition to planning fun activities, there are also many financial tools that can be helpful to maintain savings during the holiday season. Here are some of our top recommendations when it comes to financial tools for the holidays:
Plan Your Budget
Before you dive into holiday shopping, create a detailed budget. Calculate how much you can afford to spend without sacrificing your financial stability. Factor in gifts, decorations, food, and travel expenses. Additionally, talk about spending limits with friends and family that you may exchange gifts with to help everyone stay within budget.
Consider creating separate savings accounts for specific holiday expenses. For example, set up a “Gift Fund” and a “Holiday Meal Fund.” Transferring money into these designated accounts throughout the year will make holiday spending even more manageable.
Account Tracking & Updates
During the holiday season, and throughout the year, look to leverage the power of mobile banking to monitor your accounts in real-time. Look at setting up alerts for balance thresholds to receive notifications when you’re approaching your budget limits. Often, benefits such as mobile deposit are also available in your mobile app that can help add more convenience to your holiday season by saving time, helping to give you more time back with friends and family to make more holiday memories.
In addition to being proactive in planning holiday activities and using financial tools, other options such as seeking out discounts and coupons, or getting creative with DIY gifts can be a valuable resource to make this the season for saving.
Remember, the essence of the holidays lies in spending time with friends and loved ones, and with careful budgeting and a focus on shared experiences, you can have a memorable holiday season without breaking the bank.
At Minnequa Works Credit Union, your financial success is our top priority. Contact Us to Learn More
