8 SMART WAYS TO SAVE
ON HOLIDAY EXPENSES
(Family Features)
While often regarded as the most
wonderful time of year, the holiday
season is also an expensive spot
on the calendar. Even as many families feel
the squeeze of infl ation and rising costs, there
is hope for your budget when it comes to
gatherings, gifts, food and beyond.
Consider these tips from the money-saving
experts at Slickdeals and Head of Deals Vitaly
Pecharsky to avoid overspending without
sacrifi cing your festive spirit.
Stick to a budget. Beyond gifts and
stocking stuffers, holiday costs can add up
quickly once you factor in travel, decor, pet
care, special events and more. Create an allencompassing
budget for the season then break
it into segments for each type of expense,
including hidden expenses like wrapping paper
or extra toiletries for guests, so you don’t end
up with an unexpected credit card bill.
Split up food costs. Instead of putting
yourself under the pressure of full-time
holiday chef (and taking on all the expenses
that come with it), consider hosting a potluckstyle
gathering. Providing the main course
and encouraging guests to bring an appetizer,
side or dessert is an easy way to avoid a hefty
hosting bill. Send an e-vite with a list of musthaves
that allows loved ones to sign up for
specifi c dishes to ensure everything is covered
without doubling up.
Search for the best deals. Whether you’re
looking for the perfect
gift from toys to
technology or trying
to save on travel costs
and home decor, make
sure you fi nd the best
price. Consider a site
like Slickdeals, where a
community of millions
of people work together
to save money so
you can be confi dent
you’re getting the best
deal. With 12 million
shoppers assisting
others by vetting and
voting up the top
deals from renowned
retailers, your holiday needs are covered
without sacrifi cing quality. You can also set
Deal Alerts that send notifi cations directly
to your inbox when a deal that matches your
criteria is posted to the site.
Share experiences, not just “things.”
Gadgets and gizmos may come to mind when
brainstorming holiday gift ideas but remember
some family members and friends just want
more time together. If you’re considering
a special experience for - and with - that
special someone, think about their favorite
hobbies and activities. Animal lovers may
be overjoyed with a day at the local zoo and
gearheads would cherish tickets to the next auto
show. Integrating
experiences into your
gifting repertoire
often makes for a
more memorable (and
cheaper) solution.
Take
advantage of gift
cards. A quick
internet search
can lead you to
discounted gift cards,
allowing you to
save cash on holiday
purchases. Or, for
the one on your list
who has everything,
simply give the card
as a gift so he or she can pick out what’s truly
needed. As an added bonus, discounted gift
cards are typically available even at the last
minute so procrastinators can still save.
Show off your DIY skills. Buying new
holiday decorations and replacing worn out
crafts are seasonal expenses you may not
immediately factor into your budget. Rather
than heading to the store for (likely overpriced)
ornaments and tablescapes, put your creative
cap on and repurpose goods from around the
house. Reusing items like glass jars to make
homemade snow globes, for example, can be a
crafty way to save. Plus, it’s a fun activity for
family members to enjoy together.
Seek out post-holiday sales. Once the
holidays are over, it’s a perfect opportunity
to get ahead of the game for next year.
Stock up on gift wrap, decorative items and
other nonperishables that are often heavily
discounted in the new year.
Save throughout the year. A handy tip for
holiday seasons to come, try creating a fund
each year where you can save up for gifts, food,
travel and other end-of-year expenses. Set up
a special bank account specifi cally for holiday
savings where you contribute a small amount
each month to be fi nancially prepared for the
festivities.
Find more ways to save this holiday season by
visiting Slickdeals.com.
Pg 16 - 124 Riverhead, North Fork To Advertise call: 631-698-8400 Pennysaver - November 30, 2023