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Plan Your Holiday Budget Early
Special to The Truth
The holiday season will be
here before you know it, and it is never too early to start
budgeting for this exciting time of year. While many may
seek financial absolution in January, the first of the year
will be a lot brighter if you avoid seasonal over-spending
in the first place.
Here are some simple
strategies for setting up a holiday budget and sticking to
it.
Get Started Early
Purchasing gifts, decking
the halls, throwing holiday parties and getting out of town
will come as no surprise, and neither should the associated
expenses. You can end 2015 in the black by planning ahead.
Just as you may tuck away
savings for a rainy day or for a big purchase down the line,
you can also create a holiday fund. Cut back on unnecessary
expenditures here and there, diverting that portion of your
income to a special savings account marked “Holiday
Spending.”
Smart Spreadsheets
Before hitting the stores,
map out your spending with an organized spreadsheet. It is
easier to keep track of your purchases when you have an
interactive visual to assist you.
These days, it is easier
than ever to mathematically calculate your expenditures as
certain new models of scientific calculators for the first
time offer spreadsheet functionality. For example, Casio’s
new CLASSWIZ fx-991EX scientific calculator allows users to
create spreadsheets of up to five columns and 45 rows for a
maximum of 170 data items on its high-resolution LCD screen.
With its icon-based display and 274 functions, this tool can
prove valuable when planning your pre-holiday season
savings. More information can be found at www.ShopCasio.com.
Shopping Strategies
Store designers have
admitted that floor displays are designed to keep you
browsing and to encourage impulse purchases. You can
circumvent these obstacles by being aware of them. For
example, the area around checkout is full of grab-and-go
smaller items, the purchase of which can easily be justified
on a whim.
Making a list and knowing
what you plan to purchase before entering a store can help
you get in and out without adding more to your cart than you
planned.
With smart planning and
new tech tools, you can end this year with your coffers
full.
Courtesy StatePoint
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