ALMetro360

Tips to Make Your Holiday Budget Go Further T HE HOLIDAY SEASON IS FAST APPROACHING , BRINGING WITH IT THE CHANCE TO SPEND TIME WITH YOUR LOVED ONES , CREATE HAPPY MEMORIES , AND ENJOY SOME DOWNTIME . B UT THE COST OF PRESENTS , PARTIES , DECORATIONS , AND LAVISH MEALS CAN QUICKLY START TO ADD UP , AND YOU MIGHT FEEL THAT YOUR PURSE STRINGS ARE STRETCHED TIGHT ALREADY . L UCKILY , THERE ARE SOME HANDY TIPS THAT YOU CAN TRY TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR HOLIDAY BUDGET , AND THEY DON ' T REQUIRE MUCH EFFORT . HOP O NLINE The corona virus has brought about many changes in shopping. Now, many of your fa- vorite local businesses have online and curbside options. Not only can you often save money with special deals shopping online, you can also avoid the hectic Christmas crowds. You can also use rewards programs like RBC Rewards and Ebates, which give you money or points toward other purchases, saving even more cash. F AMILY S ECRET S ANTA If you have a big family, youmight shudder as you contemplate the huge list of gifts to be purchased. By trying a family Secret Santa, wherein each per- son buys a gift for only one other mem- ber of the family, you can save buckets of money without leaving anyone out. This fun twist to a family holiday tradition adds an element of surprise and excitement because no one knows who their gift will come from. B UDGET FOR THE S MALL T HINGS You might have planned how much you'll spend on gifts for your children, your parents, and your best friend, and maybe you've even factored in the cost of travel and food. But almost everyone forgets to budget for small holiday essentials like wrapping paper, cards, and shipping gifts to your far-away loved ones. Make sure to keep on top of these smaller expenses so that you don't blow your budget on less important things. C REATE H OMEMADE G IFTS Many people shy away from homemade gifts, thinking that they need to be a craft genius to make something special. But these days, you can find hundreds of tutorials on Pinterest and YouTube for all sorts of gifts to suit your skill level, whether you're a complete beginner or a Martha Stewart aficionado. Homemade gifts are more personal, and you just might impress yourself and your loved ones with your creative flair. The holidays can be an expensive time, but with the help of these handy tips, you won't need to waste it stressing about money. With these simple changes in place, you can put your feet up and enjoy the time with your friends and family without worrying about your holiday budget. n 36 AL/ Metro 360 www.almetro360.com ......................................................................... MONEYMATTERS ............................... S