Here Are Ten Ways To Save Over The Christmas Period

Merry Christmas Everyone:

1. Let me assure you, we have never been to a Christmas party, which didn't have leftovers. People who host parties normally have enough leftover food to last a few days if not a couple of weeks. If you are planning a Christmas party, write your list of food and take away 20%. You can either do this by cutting out 20% of the products. Or if you were going to buy 1kg of prawns, only buy 800 grams. Believe me you will save money by not having to throw out good food.
   
   
2. Don't go too tacky. Sparklers, bon bons, streamers and decorations are nice, however they are unnecessary. This year don't get rid of these nice Christmas add-ons, just buy less.
   
   
3. As with most people over the Christmas period, we like to drink alcohol. Set yourself a limit with how much alcohol you will take to a party. Most people drink what they take to a party. Take two bottles and you will drink two. Take eight bottles and you will drink eight. Try and take less and drink them slower.
   
   
4. Do you have a big family? Buying them heaps of presents? While it's probably too late for this year. On Christmas Day, why not suggest setting up a secret santa for next year. Just throw the question out there. You might be suprised at how many people want to do this. You are laying the groundwork for big Christmas savings in the years to come.
   
   
5. Do you know that police hand out more speeding fines over the festive season? We are all in a rush to get to our destination. Shopping for that last minute gift; running 30 minutes behind for Christmas lunch; or rushing to country Australia to spend time with rural relatives. While you never want to speed at any time of the year; save yourself a Christmas ticket and slow down. It's a lot safer and you will save money on fuel too.
   
   
6. Are you giving your kids toys with batteries in them? Buy the batteries in the supermarket before Christmas. There is little joy on Christmas Day having to pick up some from the service station at double the cost, just to keep little Johnny or Janie happy.
   
   
7. Keep all the receipts from the presents you buy in a safe place. There is nothing worse than getting someone the wrong present. But wait it does get worse if you can't get a refund on it. At least this way you can swap your gift, instead of having to buy a second one.
   
   
8. Do you have gifts lying around from last Christmas? Perhaps gifts which you have not even opened, let alone used. Why not give these gifts to people who would appreciate them. Of course you don't want to give them back to the people who have given them to you in the first place. But I'm sure you could find people who would give them a good home.
   
   
9. This is kind of a different suggestion. Could you pick up some hours over the Christmas period at your work? Most workplaces need a few extra hands over the silly season. Even if you just work one day, that you would normally take off. This extra cash will help you claw back some of the money you spent on Christmas this year.
   
   
10. Time off over Christmas is great; however it's easy to get bored over this period. Forget sorting out your old photos, or spring cleaning. How about spending a day looking over your house for things to sell on eBay. I'm sure you will find a bunch of stuff just lying around which could bring in some cash.