It’s that time of year again. The temperature is dropping, the snow is falling, and, yes, money is rapidly being spent on all manner of gifts, gadgets and gizmos.
Canadian consumers are expected to spend an average of nearly of $1,800 on gifts, travel and entertainment over the holiday season, according to a survey from PwC Canada. Other estimates — including those from BMO — put that number even higher.
Regardless of how much you’re planning on spending on gifts, throw in holiday meals, entertainment, travel and lights for the tree and the holidays are an expensive time.
But personal finance experts say that shopping efficiently, planning ahead and simulating the feeling of “newness” instead of dishing out money on truly new items can slash costs and help you avoid the post-holiday financial hangover.
Shop early and shop smart
Sometimes, shopping smarter can mean buying things earlier in the season or differently than you originally anticipated.
Melissa Leong, a personal finance expert and a frequent guest on CTV’s “The Social,” suggests staking out store-specific promotions and deals during the busiest shopping season of the year.
Many stores have seniors’ days, for instance, that can reduce the price of items if they’re purchased by someone over a certain age. If there’s a senior citizen in your life, Leong says, having them accompany you to the store to make the purchase can save a few bucks, especially if the item you’re hunting for is seldom discounted.
“Then, if there’s something that never goes on sale, at least you can get a little bit of a deal in that sense,” says Leong, author of the personal finance guide “Happy Go Money: Spend Smart, Save Right & Enjoy Life.”
You can also download a retailer’s app to get discounts on first purchases, sign up for an email list to get exclusive codes, or even ask the associate at the checkout counter if there are any coupons you can apply to your purchase, she adds.
“If you don’t ask, you don’t get,” Leong says.
Plan, plan, then plan some more
Jessica Moorhouse, a Toronto-based personal finance expert and author, says starting holiday budgeting (and saving) early can make a world of difference.
Looking at your expenses from last year, scrutinizing your own spending and seeing where you can make cuts ahead of time is crucial.
“If you could start a month in advance, you’re ahead of the game,” Moorhouse says. “Start making a plan as soon as you can.”
“The biggest pitfall that I see is that people go into the season without a plan, and desperation does not fuel smart choices,” adds Leong.
In addition, planning ahead and sticking to a budget can help you avoid fads, which Moorhouse cautions can be costly and not worth the expense. Instead, she says, strive for sustainable, realistic habits that can last even beyond the holiday season.
“In general, I don’t love anything that’s trendy because it’s a trend, it goes away eventually,” Moorhouse says. “You want something sustainable.”
Cindy Marques, a certified financial planner and co-founder of the millennial-focused financial coaching company MakeCents, notes that setting expectations is important, especially when surrounded by tempting deals.
“Reconcile with yourself what you can afford to float,” Marques says.
New to you is new
A picture-perfect holiday season may be a cosy fantasy, but for most, it isn’t an easily achievable reality.
Instead of shelling out tons of money for new holiday decorations or holiday-specific outfits, a hit of dopamine from getting something new to you — even if it isn’t brand new — can do the trick, says Leong.
Borrowing decorations from a friend or organizing a gift exchange so you’re buying just one gift instead of a handful can simulate freshness without the high price tag.
“Your brain sees novelty,” Leong says, “but you’re not actually spending any money.”
On a personal level, not everyone is paying attention to every detail, Leong notes, so don’t feel guilty about wearing the same outfit over multiple years to keep costs down.
Ultimately, it’s the presence, not the presents, that make the holidays special, so focusing on non-material holiday memories is a surefire way to keep costs under wraps and holiday cheer vibrant and lasting.
“They’re things that are simple and free or not expensive,” Moorhouse says of the most memorable holiday moments. “They’re not glitzy and glamorous. So remember what actually makes you happy and then make room for that.”
