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Play it wise

The hype has begun – Christmas is here. You know, that time of year when you expect every detail to be perfect, not to mention the quality of gifts that you are planning to present to all those eager beavers crossing out the remaining days on their Rudolph calendars. Nobody appears to understand your problem: the finance issue, duh. That issue refraining you from splashing out on all those sumptuous gifts. See, Christmas is a time of year when we want to ignore the plight of all that’s going on around us, even if you’re hitting the doghouse and struggling to string together your Penneys brand shoes. Perfect, perfect, perfect… at least we can pretend, eh?

So, don’t fret – you’re not alone. Thousands of people this year are struggling to make ends meet. Christmas is so all – encompassing and so much could go wrong. But what if we play the game smart, cool and cheap? We can slide into the commercial trap with as much ease as Santa chugging back his last round-the-world pint. It doesn’t have to be an all out hair-pulling, ear-splitting stress debacle. There is light at the end of the tunnel. This Christmas it’s all about tapping into your creative side to be as resourceful and inventive as possible. The following steps are so simple and so easy to follow that, if applied often, can contribute significantly to your annual savings.

Budget – no, not that grim topic hanging above our heads like a dark cloud. Thanks Cowen.  We’re talking a more personal budget; one that you have sole control over. Not some hypocritical bureaucracy. Write down the names of your nearest and dearest. Set a target amount of expenditure beside each name – be strict. This small step, believe it or not, helps gather confusion into greater context. Write names by level of priority: who the most important people are (careful not to offend), and who are the most expensive (suckers!) to buy for. Match up your income with your outgoings, and don’t be afraid to ask yourself: Am I spending more than I earn? It’s amazing the amount of people who will answer yes to this particular question, so long as they are honest to themselves. Review your budget and adjust changes that crop up.

Compare prices. Nowadays people are shopping for necessities in more than one place, whereas before, it was all done under the one roof. It’s important to compare prices and check out the latest deals. We all know how annoying it is to buy something, fast forward a couple of shops later, and see the same product for half the price. Grrrrrr! There are a number of websites that can provide you with information regarding the latest price drops, etc. They are worth a look before your big shopping ‘voyage’. Boot the indolence. Do your research.

Seek out second hand bargains: see Charity Shop Chic. Alternative to charity shops are sites such as ebay.ie, which is popular for its downgraded prices on big items. Also, second hand bookstores are renowned for selling the latest releases at cut prices, provided you are willing to read something second hand though, in some cases, the books are brand spanking new.

Driving? Lucky you. One major saver: compare petrol prices. Some fuel stations offer lower prices than others. It’s a matter of comparing prices. Over a period of time this simple step can save you a huge amount of money, sometimes amassing to hundreds of euro.

Save money on gift cards, provided by the big retailers. Every time you purchase something and present this card, you’ll receive reward points. The more points you have, the more discounts and freebies you’ll get.  These big industries are more than happy to mill your hard earned cash, so reap the rewards – take advantage.

This time of year has its fair share of scam artists. Malicious people will try their best to rob you blind and take advantage of your vulnerability. Proceed through this season with caution: if something seems too good to be true, it most likely is (ditch all hope on these occasions). Steer clear of sparkling lottery cards offering you the world, and avoid the people handing them out like a plague, unless they are legitimate and can prove it.

B for beauty. B for bargain. The net offers the best beauty bargains, girls – and boys. The wonderful web is ideal for seeking out the best and latest beauty ranges. Some sites are even offering freebies for promotional purposes. Avid bargain hunters are known for seeking out price comparison sites online. Practical price comparison sites offer bargain advice for on/offline hunting. They provide you with information on the latest products – makeup, hair, clothes, accessories – and the best places to track them down.

Partying is a factor on the agenda for most people this season. And, like most things, this can be achieved on the cheap. And no, I don’t mean you should round up your friends, head to the nearest field, and begin cracking open bottles of WKD! It’s a matter of scouting. Should you find yourself handling the task of booking, don’t panic, and don’t settle on your first choice. Remember, no contracts have been signed, and you are not legally binding yourself to anything by asking those all-important questions. Stress comparisons. This all-round independent rule applies to everything this season. It’s all about comparing, provided you have the patience, that is.

Phew, there you have it: a bumper guide to the best money saving tips this year. It doesn’t have to be doom and gloom. Preach simplicity and play it practical. This is the time of year when you can afford to take chances, unleash your inner creative beast, and play host to the number of great offers out there. Lock, load and engage….

Martin Flanagan