Saving Series: Celebrating Christmas on a budget: Tip #3

Saving Series: Celebrating Christmas on a budget: Tip #3 Extra tricks and tips

Hope you have been enjoying this series. For the final post, I'd like to share additional tricks and tips that make help in making your holiday smooth and stress free this year. Here a few ideas that I personally use.

1) Use gift certificates from department stores - JC Penney and Kohls will randomly send you $10 gift certificates in the mail when you sign up to be on their mailing list. Typically, we receive one gift certificate per month between both stores. While, it may not sound like much, over the course of the year it allows me to get a bunch of small gifts or stocking stuffers. Typically I'll get socks, boxers, winter gloves, clearance clothing, etc for my husband and socks, t-shirts, bibs, small toys, Carters outfits, etc for my son.

2) Use online credit to purchase gifts- Many new online stores will offer credit to customers to celebrate their grand opening and to get exposure. Take advantage of it! You've seen postings about the $25 credit to MyHabit store. In the past Rue La La, Franklin Goose, etc have had similar promotions. Look at your gift list and see if something offered by these stores might work.

3) Swagbucks- Using swagbucks as a search engine accumulates points that you can then redeem for Amazon.com credit. Using swagbucks (sign up HERE) on a semi frequent basis can earn around $10 per month just by making a simple change from Google to Swagbucks. I've cashed in to purchase my son and water table, coffee maker for my husband and other various items over the past 2 years.

4) Use stockpile items to create gift baskets- If you have been couponing for a while, you know its easy to get items cheap or free. Why not make gift baskets out of your overstock? Have a teenager? Fill a basket with health and beauty items, makeup, etc. Need a teacher gift? Fill it with back to school items that could be used in the classroom.