Simple Ways to Save Money and Time this Holiday Season

by Taya Knight


Who doesn't love to save money and time over the holiday season? Below I've listed some of my favourite ideas to help you save some hard earned dollars and precious time!

Shop online - Online shopping is great this time of year if you want to avoid crowds and especially if you know what you need to purchase. Online shopping is also great for those who find it difficult to find time to get to the stores.

Search for discount codes: This goes together with the shopping online thing. Quite often stores have discount codes available. They range from dollars off to percentages off and free shipping. To find these discount codes, do a simple search on Retail Me Not or search "business name coupon code".

Ask for a Price Adjustment on something that is now on sale after you bought it: Stores quite often have a 30 day price guarantee. So if something goes on sale within 30 days of you buying it, you can come in with your original receipt and receive the difference back! Each store is different, but it's definitely worth checking out if you could save a pretty penny by doing it!
Follow your favourite companies on Facebook or Twitter: Use social media to your advantage. By following your favourite companies on Facebook or Twitter, you'll be one of the first ones to know when they have a special promotion going on!
Handmade Gifts: Sometimes handmade gifts are the ones that are loved the most. I've seen some pretty amazing gifts during my travels through the web! Craft blogs I've often sewn my husband hooded sweat shirts to give as gifts because the store bought ones usually end up fitting him weirdly after a short amount of time. He loves them and loves the thought I put into making them for him!

Buy new accessories instead of a new outfit: If you've got a holiday party of two to attend this year, why not pull out one of your favourite outfits you already own and simply purchase new accessories to create a new look? Way less expensive than buying a whole new outfit!

Make your holiday get-togethers a pot-luck: Who says you have to spend all the money and time to put together a gathering? Make others bring along their favourites, and you'll have a great selection of food! Or an appetizer party could be fun too! (Don't we usually fill up on appetizers first anyways?)

For decorating, use nature to your advantage: Wander around your neighbourhood and collect all the great looking sticks, cedar boughs, and pinecones and create your own unique mantel displays, railing decor and wreaths! Use some metallic spray paint to inject a bit of shimmer.

Have a decoration swap with friends if you're tired of your own decorations: Tired of putting up the same decorations year after year? Get together with some friends who are feeling the same way, and swap your goods! This also works with wrapping paper, if you're thinking you'll never get to the end of a roll!

Shop the after Christmas sales: I don't suppose this need to be said, but this is how I get all my holiday bags, wrapping paper, ribbon and bows! Usually for a whopping 50% off or more.

What are some of your best money and time saving tips for the holidays? Hop on over to my site, SimplyFrugal.ca to let me know! May you have fun, be frugal and enjoy the pleasures of the Christmas season!

Coupon clipping, menu planning and deal hunting are a few things Taya is passionate about.  She lives in Beautiful British Columbia with her husband who supports her vision and strange tendencies for living a debt free life.

She can be found at SimplyFrugal.ca where she brings Canadians the latest store deals, coupons, freebies and money saving ideas - daily.