The holidays are officially here and Christmas is right around the corner! It is also that time of the year to question who you are buying presents for and how much you are willing to spend.

If you and your wallet are not ready for the typical obligatory holiday shopping, here are some tips on how you can stretch your budget and get more bang for your buck. There are also tips on how to lower your spending on Christmas gifts if you didn’t save in advance this year.

Plan Ahead

Before you begin your holiday shopping, it’s best to start with having a plan of action. A plan will make you feel more organized and can end up saving you money. Before you shop, try coming up with some ideas that could be a DIY gift or an item you know the person you are gifting for will enjoy this year.  Planning ahead is a straightforward way to know what you need to buy and get ahead of the irresistible holiday deals.

Gift Cards

If you are not sure what to gift this year, a gift card is a great option and goes a long way.  If you feel like you are taking the easy way out by just getting a gift card or putting money into a card, it is still something that will be enjoyed if you are running out of time. Even if the amount of the gift card is lower this year, it will go towards something one of your gifters wants and that will be a great gift for them. People would be surprised as to how much gift cards are well-liked. It is still great to be creative if that is what you want to do this year, but gift cards are a great gift option. Some of these could be a $10 Starbucks card for your coffee lovers or a Target gift card because who ever leaves Target empty handed? There are lots of options for you this year to find something your family and friends will enjoy.

Set Limit

Have you determined a budget for every person you plan to buy a gift for? If you haven’t, we suggest creating a plan for each individual before you hit the malls. If you start saving in advance, you may be able to have a more flexible budget but if that is not the case, try setting a specific amount for each person. You could have a limit of $25 or as low as $10 per person. It really is up to you and your budget this year.

Discuss Financial Goals With Spouse

If you are in a committed relationship, you may share the same financial goals if you have a joint account. Even though Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, the bills do not go away or if you are paying off student loans.

It may sound like you are not in the Christmas spirit, but if this sounds like you, you could do a DIY gift for your spouse to show that you are thinking of them and that they mean a lot to you. Some ideas could be a personalized ornament or a photo album sharing memories of the two of you.  If you and your spouse are wanting to take a vacation, you could create some sort of “vacation jar” to show that you are saving for this and that it has become both of your gifts this year.

Your budget is your budget so if you have saved and plan ahead, then you are all set to go. If you are on a budget this year, remember, it is okay not to spend more than you can afford for a loved one. It is all about quality, not quantity and the holidays after all are really about spending time with family and friends enjoying each others’ company, along with the delicious meals and holiday treats. So remember, quality over quantity and enjoy your holiday from us at Motus Financial.

About Us

Motus Financial, located in Sun Prairie, WI provides Point-of-Sale (POS) technology solutions and credit card processing services. Locally owned and operated Motus Financial provides a complete suite of POS technology services to assist merchants in processing payment from credit cards, debit cards, and checks.  Motus financial can also provide check processing as well as a customized gift card program for your business.

For more information, please contact us at 608-819-8666 or check out our website at www.motuscc.com and we look forward to assisting you.