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Hopefully with the aid of some of my thrifty Christmas tips you won’t be splashing too much unnecessary cash this Christmas but how about a few tips for saving money after Christmas?
How to save money after Christmas
Don’t bin it, stash it
This might seem a bit naff to some but here at Thrifty Towers we cut the fronts off Christmas cards and the same goes for gift tags too. With the aid of simple card stock (we buy ready cut blank cards from The Works here when they’re on sale) we’re able to fashion our own Christmas cards, decorations and gift tags in the run up to the next Christmas. We’re not quite at the ironing wrapping paper stage just yet but give us another decade and you’ll never know!
Deconstruct Christmas
Whilst it is still fresh in your mind talk about the parts of the period that you loved and the parts you didn’t enjoy as much. Make a note to cut out expenses which were unnecessary. If no one at the cranberry sauce, why buy it again next year to throw it out all over again?
Big purchases
Mr Thrifty and I waited a few months longer to go through the process of picking out or wedding rings. Buying them during the post-Christmas sales period saved us over £600 on something we treasure and wear everyday. If you have plans to buy something expensive makes sure you’re out there taking advantage of the best sales. You don’t have to physically traipse around the shops, check out online comparison sites and add in things like cashback sites (I talk about them here) and you could be saving even more than you imagined on that desperately needed washing machine.
Need Vs Greed
Those sales are super tempting and sometimes it really does come down to asking yourself ‘do I really need this or am I being greedy?’ I’ve fallen into the trap of spending just for the sake of it from the age of 10 until about 25, it’s a dangerous one and it can lead to all kind of problems.
I have a small list of items that I need like new trainers, a couple of new bras, work friendly clothes, a birthday present for a family member and a set of towels and that’s what I’ll limit myself to buying in the sales. I know I can make a significant saving on those items but I don’t need anything else.
Love your leftovers
Make sure not a scrap of food is going to waste. Seek out some delicious recipes for leftover turkey (I’ll be sharing some soon), ham or whatever you’ll be having and make sure you have the necessary vegetables and spices to make those leftovers work. You might not feel like trekking to the shops on 27th, so don’t give yourself an excuse to fail.
Returns
Now this is the one which will cause eyebrow raising from some corners but let’s put it out there – if someone bought you a gift and it’s the wrong size, colour, design or altogether just not right for you perhaps you could return it for a refund? What’s the point in having three Downton Abbey boxsets if you could return them for something you actually need or want? Be sensitive when returning gifts, it’s a minefield out there!
Have a chat
Have a conversation with your partner or family member about your financial situation before the new year. Talk about any difficulties you are having and where you would (realistically) like to be financially before the same time next year. Go forward into 2014 knowing you’re going to take positive action.
This is the 12th and final post in my series 12 Thrifty Days of Christmas
Day 1- Who, Where When?
Day 2 – How to set a Christmas budget
Day 3 – How to manage your family’s Christmas gift expectations
Day 4 – 36 homemade gifts you’ll be proud to give
Day 5 – How to make extra cash for Christmas
Day 6 – 20 homemade food gifts for Christmas
Day 7 – Should you ditch Christmas traditions to save money?
Day 8 – 34 Free Christmas Printables
Day 9 – How to throw a budget friendly Christmas party
Day 10 – Thrifty Christmas Dinner
Day 11 – How to relax over Christmas
P.S. I’m sorry this series took longer than expected, obviously family issues always come first. Thank you so much for your support.
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