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Jonni McCoy's Money-Saving Suggestions
Jonni McCoy, Shell spokesperson, leading expert on shopping and frugal living and author of the acclaimed Miserly Moms, Frugal Families, and Miserly Meals, shares tips on how every family can save money in their day-to-day spending habits.
Holiday Saving
Stay in the Spirit – But Out of Debt – This Holiday Season |
It’s Not Too Late to Set a Budget without being a “Bah Humbug” |
| By Jonni McCoy |
Sticking to a well-orchestrated budget while hunting for the must-have gifts of the season, planning the perfect holiday meal and arranging flawlessly timed travel are not tasks for the novice. This time of year can drain even the savviest shopper’s budget, but there are easy ways to save and even earn money this holiday season.
When I became a stay-at-home mom, I learned first-hand how to manage my family budget with only one income. Since then, I’ve written three books and launched a Web site (www.miserlymoms.com - opens in new window) teaching others how to make frugality a lifestyle for the entire family, especially during the holidays.
Try to avoid a holiday shopping hangover this coming January and start with a financial game plan to tackle holiday decorating, gifts, travel and entertaining. Take time to prepare your budget, draw up gift lists and comparison shop for the best deals. Here are some more tips to help you make the most of your holiday spending.
Deck the Halls – For Less
- Stay simple. Use evergreen trimming as a table centerpiece and sprinkle silver confetti over it for some sparkle.
- For unique holiday home decor, buy terra-cotta clay, roll out ½-inch-thick pieces and use cookie cutters to make ornaments. Let them dry overnight, paint and then decorate.
- Display your holiday cards in a festive basket or punch holes in the cards and string ribbon through them to hang around your home.
Shopping Wonderland
- Make a detailed shopping list of who you are buying gifts for. Set a dollar limit and the type of gift you would like to purchase next to each name. Total up the amounts and make sure you can afford what you are planning to spend. Once you fit the gifts within your budget, carry the list and stick to it while shopping.
- Spend a few minutes online at your favorite retailer’s Web site and search for Web deals. Some offer better prices and free shipping.
Give From the Heart, Not the Wallet
- Think outside the gift box and make creative and personal gifts. Easy and cost-effective ideas include baked goods arranged in decorative containers and themed gifts for those on your list such as the movie or pet lover.
- With large groups or family, draw names for gift-giving and set a spending limit. Giving one or two people a very nice gift is often better than giving many people a small gift.
- Make your own gift tags from last year’s greeting cards. Use scalloped scissors to create edging.
Most importantly, stop shopping once you have neared the end of your budget and you have purchased all of the items on your list. It is very easy to keep shopping with all of the retailer promotions during this time of year. Finally, it’s never too early to begin thinking about next year. Stocking up on decorations and gifts during the after-holiday sales will get you ahead of the game and help keep you within budget next year.
Family Traveling
- Plan ahead. How will you get to your destination? Will you bring a cooler for most meals or eat in restaurants? How much and what will you pack? Do you have a basic list of items so you don’t forget anything?
- Don’t empty the wallet to fill your tank. Keep a Shell Platinum MasterCard® from Citi® Cards on hand to get leverage for vacation expenses. When Shell sent two experts on a 5,000 mile road trip with nothing but a car and a Shell Platinum MasterCard, they earned $38 of Shell gasoline by using the card to pay for all of their hotels, food, and Shell gasoline purchases. To calculate total savings go to http://www.877myshell.com/ and see all the free gallons you’ll earn while on the road.
- Save money on meals. Bring food to store in mini-refrigerators and utilize any complimentary breakfasts or happy hours with hors d’oeuvres. Make sure you call and specifically ask about possible deals at hotels, car rental companies and airlines.
Holiday Spending
- Give from the heart, not the wallet. Making creative and personal gifts, such as baking cookies and sweets, can save a lot of money. Save seeds from your garden and give with a gardening tool attached. Give mixes, such as cookie or soup mix, layered in jars.
- Give themed gift baskets for your favorite Movie Lover, Bath Lover, College Student, Cat Lover. Pick a theme and build a basket around it with their favorite items.
- Make your credit card work for you. If you do use a credit card, set a budget in advance, and look for a card with a rebate. Some cards, such as the Shell Platinum MasterCard® , offers rebates for every purchase. With the Shell MasterCard you earn 5% rebates on all your Shell gasoline purchases and 1% on all other purchase.
- Choose the right store and the right time. Look to discount stores, such as Ross or Marshall’s, for savings on name-brand clothing, gifts and decorations for any celebration. Shop throughout the year to take advantage of all sales.