Holiday Shopping Tips To Save Money This Year

As joyful as the holiday season can be, it can also come with a lot of stress. Between buying gifts, traveling, and cherished holiday experiences, shopping for the holidays can add up quickly and make it harder to stay on track financially. 

In this article, we’ll walk through how to save money during the holidays, our best holiday shopping advice, and how Arkansas Federal Credit Union can help provide financing options like low-rate credit cards or personal loans if you need an extra financial boost this holiday season.

To learn more money-saving tips for the holidays and how Arkansas Federal can help, visit us at your local branch or online to get started.

Save for the Holidays Early

One of our best savings tips for the holidays is to open a dedicated savings account for your holiday spending. Having a dedicated account will help you gradually save for the holidays over the year, so that putting the money aside feels more manageable. 

The best way to do this is to create a holiday budget so you know how much you need to save for the holidays. You can open a savings account with Arkansas Federal and use the My Cards feature to track your spending and stay within your budget. And if you want to take this holiday saving tip to the next level, you can set up automatic transfers into this account, so once you set your budget, your holiday funds can grow without any extra effort.

Use Holiday Shopping Tips To Spend Less

Saving for the holidays isn’t just about putting money aside for holiday expenses, but finding ways to spend less. Here are some of our best holiday shopping tips to help you save this holiday season:

• Shop Early: One of the easiest ways to save money on gifts is to start your holiday shopping early. Starting early means you have more options for what to buy and have time to find the best price for what you want. Plus, starting early means you’ll avoid paying extra for shipping.

• Find Deals with Alerts: If there’s something specific you want to buy, one of our best holiday money-saving tips is to set price alerts for the items you want to purchase. This way, when the price drops, you’ll be notified and can get the best deal. You can also look up coupons online for different companies that carry what you’re looking for. 

• Get Creative: Holiday shopping can be expensive. See where you can find creative, low-cost options for holiday gifts. For example, you could make homemade gifts or organize a gift exchange with a set spending limit where each member draws one name instead of buying for everyone.

• Take Advantage of Rewards: Holiday deals like cash back, bonus points, discounts, and free shipping can help you stretch your budget and save on future purchases.

• Avoid Overspending: If you know you have trouble sticking to a budget, try paying with cash or a debit card. That way, you only use the funds you’ve set aside for gifts and don’t accidentally overspend.  

By following these holiday spending tips, you can make the most of your holiday budget and still enjoy meaningful gifts and experiences. 

Financing Tips for Holiday Spending

Even with careful planning, you may find that you need a little extra funding during the holidays. If that’s the case, one of the best money-saving tips for the holidays is to choose low-cost financing options that will help you save money on interest and fees. 

In general, we recommend being cautious of high-interest credit cards and avoiding the “Buy Now, Pay Later” financing options. Instead, we recommend using a low-rate credit card or personal loan to save money during the holidays on financing. A low-rate credit card or a personal loan from Arkansas Federal can help you cover holiday expenses with lower interest and more affordable monthly payments, making it easier to stay on track financially. 

Plan Your Holiday Savings with Arkansas Federal

The holidays should be about spending time with your loved ones, not worrying about expenses. With Arkansas Federal, you can plan ahead and make the most of your holiday savings. 

With low-rate credit cards and personal loans, you can manage holiday costs without paying high interest. Our savings and checking accounts also make it simple to set money aside throughout the year, so you’re ready when the holidays arrive.With these holiday money tips and the right support, you can focus on the joy of the holidays instead of the stress of spending. To get started, visit your local branch or explore your options online.