Flourish eMag Dec 24 - final - Flipbook - Page 58
MONEY
Money Tips for the
Holiday Season
BY CON BARBAYANNIS, CPA
Ah, the holiday season—a time of joy, family gatherings, and… spending sprees.
With festive cheer comes the inevitable challenge of managing our finances
while indulging in the season’s delights. Fear not! With a few savvy tips, you
can keep your wallet happy without missing out on the merriment.
1. Set a Budget (and Stick to It!)
First things 昀椀rst—get your budget sorted. List all poten琀椀al expenses:
gi昀琀s, food, decora琀椀ons, travel, and those sneaky extras like wrapping
paper or that extra bo琀琀le of wine for unexpected guests. Alloca琀椀ng a
set amount to each category can help keep you grounded. The key?
S琀椀ck to your budget as if your future self is watching!
2. Make a List, Check it Twice
Before you hit the shops or dive into online
sales, write down exactly who you’re
buying for and what you have in mind. This
reduces the tempta琀椀on of impulse buys
that seem oh-so-a琀琀rac琀椀ve in the moment.
A well-thought-out list helps keep your
purchases purposeful and your spending
under control.
3. Embrace DIY Gifts
Homemade gi昀琀s add a personal touch and can signi昀椀cantly
reduce your expenses. From baked goodies to handcra昀琀ed
ornaments or even personalised photo albums, the e昀昀ort
you put in will be appreciated far more than a generic storebought item. Plus, you can get the whole family involved,
turning gi昀琀-making into a fun ac琀椀vity.
