Avoid money stress this festive season
ROODEPOORT — The best way to avoid ruining your new year budget is by finding creative gifts.
With so many parties to attend and gifts to buy, the festive season is a great time to celebrate, but also an easy time to drown yourself in debt.
Avoid this problem by budgeting beforehand and planning your finances accordingly to truly have a cheerful season. CEO of Cash Converters, Richard Mukheibir said there are often so many temptations during this time of the year, it is difficult not to overspend.
We all know that it is better to start saving for Christmas early in the year but Christmas spending has been known to get out of hand. The moment you receive your salary, sort out your essential expenses including bond and car payments.
“When it comes to buying presents, remember it is not about the size of the present or how many presents you have. Make a list of people who you would like to buy presents for and include a budget for each present and avoid impulse buying. A great option for adults is to have a ‘Secret Santa’, where each person buys a present for one adult,” said Mukheibir.
If that does not tickle your fancy, there is always the DIY option of making gifts yourself to save money. It is very easy to get your hands dirty and create your own arts and crafts and will mean more to the recipient than a store-bought gift.
According to Mukheibir, people have recently taken to buying previously owned goods. He added, “In September and October, we usually see an increase of people looking to sell their electronics, especially tablets, laptops and cellphones.”
There is no harm in letting your creative juices flow when it comes to buying presents, however, if you are going with the pre-owned option, make sure that you are getting it in good quality and are getting your money’s worth.
