IN AN AGE where money is a constant concern, saving and living on a budget becomes a top priority for many families.
For one determined mum, the pursuit of financial freedom led to monumental savings, even after quitting her job.
Kel, a resourceful money-saving mum, shares her journey of cutting costs, making balanced sacrifices, and ultimately thriving financially.
She embarked on a game-changing financial journey after feeling trapped in a corporate job for 16 years leaving her yearning for more quality time with her children.
Faced with the challenge of living on less than half their income, Kel adopted an innovative approach – a 'No Spend Year’ in 2019.
This transformative period involved careful budgeting, trimming unnecessary expenses, and reshaping her family's lifestyle. The result? A staggering £24,000 in savings within a single year.
As the holiday season approaches, Kel’s insights into mindful living come to the forefront.
Her experience and wisdom translate into practical advice for those seeking a budget-friendly Christmas celebration.
Here are some of her top tips for a Christmas that won’t break the bank…
1. Plan and Prioritise:
Planning is the most important step.
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List all the people in your life you want to buy a gift for, the food, decorations etc that you’ll need to buy.
Take the time to write out what they might love to receive.
Putting the work in ahead of time pays dividends when out shopping, as it will keep you on track and curb the chances of impulse spending or overbuying.
Keep the list in your wallet or purse at all times, stick to it and avoid deviating from it.
2. Set a Budget and Stick to It:
Now that you have the list written out, set a realistic budget against each item.
This is especially important when it comes to gift buying.
With all the seasonal offers and promotions it can be easy to over-buy and spend more than we intend to.
Track your spending and ensure you stay within the set limit.
3. Thrift Shop Treasures:
Have fun exploring thrift stores for unique, cost-effective decorations or vintage ornaments to add a special touch to your festive ambience.
With so many beautiful items for little cost, our home can be a cosy Christmas getaway for all the family to gather.
You may even find the perfect night-out outfit.
4. DIY Décor Delights:
Fairy lights are a great way to create a warm welcoming atmosphere.
Create your decorations by crafting homemade ornaments, wreaths, or centrepieces using materials like pinecones, old fabric, or recycled paper.
Making these at home costs a fraction of store-bought versions. Sprinkle fairy lights through your creations for an extra wow factor.
5. Gift Experiences:
Rather than material gifts, consider gifting experiences, such as cooking classes, concert tickets, or adventure park passes, fostering cherished memories over possessions.
Better still, host a cooking evening at your place with friends.
It's a great way to bond, create fun memories and share the greatest gift of all, your time.
6. Festive Movie Marathon:
Who doesn’t love a good movie night with the Christmas tree twinkling, wrapped up warm under toasty blankets as the wind howls outside?
It costs nothing, but the memories it’ll make are priceless.
7. Light-Up the Night Adventure:
Pile into the car, take a Polar Express style journey and explore local neighbourhoods to enjoy enchanting festive light displays.
Bring some pencils and paper with you and vote which were the favourites. You can even make drawings of the best ones for inspired seasonal paintings.
8. Memory Album:
For a gift that really means something. Create a memory book or scrapbook, capturing special moments from the year, and gift it to a loved one.
Print photographs, glue in receipts and other memorabilia for a year in their life to treasure forever.
This is a gift that they will have for years, even decades, to come.
9. Storytelling by the Fire:
Gather around a fireplace or cosy corner to share stories or read classic Christmas tales, fostering a warm, intimate atmosphere. It's a wonderful way to spend an evening.
10. Tree Trimming Party:
Host a tree-trimming gathering where guests can bring an ornament to contribute to the tree, celebrating unity and diverse decorations.
The more homemade and thoughtful the better. Serve mince pies and other Christmas treats to complete the magic.
11. Holiday Karaoke:
Karaoke is fun any time of year, but when the playlist is full of all the old Christmas greats, it brings it all to another level. Organise a festive karaoke night, and spread cheer through music.
12. DIY Festive Crackers:
Create your Christmas crackers with personalised messages, small trinkets, and treats for an extra touch of merriment.
13. Local festive events:
They are a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in the holiday spirit without breaking the bank.
Community-sponsored events and local markets often organise a diverse range of free or budget-friendly activities designed to spread cheer and foster a sense of togetherness during the holiday season.
Look out for holiday markets, tree lighting events, craft activities, workshops, carol singing and seasonal exhibitions. Libraries and local tourist offices are great places to find out what’s on in your local area.
14. Advent calendar of Kindness:
Craft an advent calendar of acts of kindness, featuring daily activities like donating to charity or performing acts of goodwill.
Another version of this is a coupon book of IOU’s.
This can be filled with vouchers for chores, tasks and treats that you can do to help them out – from doing the dishes to back massages; the sky's the limit.
As we don our fleece jackets and sip warm cocoa by the fire, remember embracing the festive season doesn't have to mean emptying out the wallet.
Whatever festive adventures you get up to, mix festive cheer with family adventures and have a snuggly and money-friendly holiday!
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