Brought to you by Bank of Ireland.
Everyone loves Christmas but nobody wants to end their festive season with a painful financial hangover.
Well, following a few simple steps means that the last week of January doesn’t have to be dominated by beans on toast and instant noodles.
Start shopping as early as you can
We all remember the horror of last minute Christmas shopping. You’re only ever a flashback away from the crowds, the shoving and the smell of fear in the air.
There’s also nothing left to buy so you end up throwing money at the problem. Starting early gives you more options and more time to decide what to get.
You may even have the luxury of shopping around!
Have a spending strategy
The internet is not just a fantastic place to find cat videos.
It’s also a great way to see what bargains are available on gifts, food or drink. Shop around online before you make any major investments and then go to the places with the best deals.
Finally, sit back and bask in your smugness as you think about all the money you’ve just saved.
Don’t spoil the child
It’s tempting to spoil kids when Christmas comes around but it’s easy to get carried away.
Getting your 15-year-old niece or nephew something they’ll really like is a nice gesture. Buying a five-year-old an iPhone is just a waste of money.
Sell, sell, sell
It’s simple commerce, really. If everyone’s buying, it’s a good time to sell.
Is your house full of things you don’t need (like unwanted Christmas presents and unused exercise equipment from last year)?
Try an online site or sign up for a car boot sale if you’ve a lot of stuff to offload. You’ve nothing to lose but you could earn some extra festive cash.
Be the host with the most
Everyone’s home for Christmas and everyone wants to meet up. All that sociability can take its toll!
One alternative is to invite people around for a home-cooked meal or some drinks in the house. They’ll appreciate the gesture and it’s a simple way to catch up without breaking the bank.
Bank of Ireland is making your Christmas a lot easier this year. Bank of Ireland’s twitter channel @talktoBOI is open 24/7 over the holidays so there will always be someone on hand if you have a query.
Brought to you by Bank of Ireland.
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