Things are often much cheaper online than in a store, but you do need to take extra precautions when shopping online. Grab your gift cards Australians love gift cards and vouchers, but too many of us let the funds expire before we use them. Check the expiry date on any gift cards you still have credit on, and consider putting this money towards your Christmas costs.
Every dollar of gift card credit you use means you're spending one less dollar of your own money. Every little bit helps! Gift cards can also make good presents for people who are hard to buy for, or if you just don't know what to get them. Giving gift cards at Christmas also means the recipient can use them in the post-Christmas sales. But there are some things you should consider before buying gift cards.
Visit our gift cards webpage to find out more. Get social with Christmas shopping If you follow your favourite brands and retailers on social media, you may be able to get exclusive discounts through these social channels. Their newsletters may also alert you to sales and deals. There are also discount or deal apps that you can use to find bargains that you can use as Christmas gifts.
Before you buy any deal or discount, always check the terms and conditions to make sure you know what you are getting and make sure the website is legitimate. Master the art of Christmas gift hacking There's a lot of pressure to spend up big on gifts at this time of year, but pricey presents aren't necessarily the way to go.
Here are some ways you can show you care, while keeping a lid on your spending: Agree on a spending limit - Suggest to your loved ones that you set a limit on how much you will spend on gifts for each other to keep your budgets under control Kids only - Talk to the other adults in your extended family about only buying presents for the kids this year, rather than for the adults DIY vouchers - We often remember the things people do for us rather than the presents they give us.
Consider giving redeemable vouchers for tasks like babysitting, massages, picnics, homemade dinners or even housework. Savvy sales - Take advantage of sales throughout the year to nab some bargains and store them away for Christmas. But, even in December there are bargains to be had. You can also check out any clearance outlets near you, or sign up to their newsletters so that you'll be in the know when they have a sale.
Compare offers - Some stores match or beat competitors' deals, so compare their offers and take all the details with you when you go into the store. Don't be afraid to ask for a discount - you might just get a Christmas miracle! Given the challenging circumstances this year due to the Covid pandemic, if you can be a little extra generous to those who work in service industries , consider doing so.
First, consider these factors, courtesy of the Emily Post Institute :. Teacher: Consider a group gift with parents' pooled funds. Gardener: Equivalent of a week's pay.
Pool Cleaner: Equivalent of one session, divided among the crew. Pet Groomer: Up to the cost of one session or a gift. Dog Walker: Up to one week's pay or a gift.
Full Terms and Conditions apply to all Subscriptions. Or, if you are already a subscriber Sign in. Other options. Close drawer menu Financial Times International Edition. Search the FT Search. World Show more World. Most credit unions offer good options. You can set up a direct debit amount so that a certain set amount is deducted directly from your pay-check. Using this allows you a period to pay off your bigger holiday purchases without incurring the huge interest fees.
Some companies now offer a 12 month no interest period on credit card balance transfers and 6 months for credit card purchases. You must pay the minimum monthly amount during the introductory period and terms and conditions apply.
How many of us can admit that we have items in our wardrobes with the tags still on or just worn once? A great way to make extra money in your spare time is to sell it online. Facebook Marketplace and Depop are two of my personal favourites. For many people, the festive season can add a lot of unwanted financial stress. It is worth remembering that Christmas should be all about spending quality time with the people who matter most and not about crazy lavish spending on extravagant gifts that will be long forgotten about come the New Year!
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