5 Ways to spend less this Christmas
By: Savings Guide
Updated: November 1, 2012
#1 Shopping online (locally or US)
The internet is essentially the world's largest and most convenient catalogue. Use the net the price hunt and compare products - from there you are equipped to go retail shopping at the major shopping centres with specified ideas of what price you should be paying for things. Online sellers have fewer overheads and in turn can offer their products cheaper but you would be surprised how many bricks and mortar shops will match a price simply to win your business.
For extra savings, consider buying your presents from Amazon to take advantage of a strong Australian dollar. Also the US are much more price conscious and in turn compete heavily on price, giving us the consumers some extra big savings come Christmas time.#2 Play retailers off against each other
This is probably the easiest tip you can implement this Christmas. If you have a high priced item you wish to buy, get a base price from a shop and then take it to the next. Ask them to beat it and repeat between 2-3 retailers. You will save yourself hundreds on items like washing machines, dryers, TVs and other gadgets.
#3 Buy people gift cards or give cash
It may not seem as personal but to us nothing screams impersonal than a gift that the person doesn't actually want. Cash and gift cards mean your money will be well spent on something the receiver will actually want.
A good fact to consider is that eBay has one of its busiest new item listing days on Boxing Day, largely filled with Australian's who are reselling their unwanted gifts. Just shows how much frivolous spending goes on at Christmas time.
#4 Give a delayed gift
If you are struggling to afford presents at Christmas for all of your loved ones, consider giving a delayed gift, such as a trip to the Hunter Valley in Winter, giving you another 6 months to save and plan. Combine this with a nice card and you will still get a great outcome and give yourself some extra time to get organised.
