Holidays are supposed to be merry and bright, but due to the high cost of the holidays and the interpersonal politics of things like gift- giving, shopping, and entertaining, it can also be filled with friction with that in mind, here are a few tips to help manage the pressure and stress of the holidays so you can actually enjoy the festivities drama free.
Don’t go into debt buying holiday gifts
It’s so easy when you go into a store to waste valuable time shopping to blow your budget on a gift that costs more than you wanted to spend or had a budget for. This year, instead of getting friends another scented candle or bottle of wine, look out for discounts or promos (on platforms like Konga and Jumia, etc.) to take advantage of them to get the most out of your budget and perhaps save more. And really, who wouldn’t want a little more extra money?
Host holiday parties without blowing your budget
Everyone loves a great holiday party, but going out to for pizza, ice cream or hosting a group dinner can be beyond expensive. Instead, you can team up with friends to host a higher quality party without going broke. Not everyone is a planner though, so let everyone take on the responsibilities that best suit them — maybe your friend makes a mean margarita but can’t cook to save his life, and maybe your friend with more money than time just wants to cover the cost of the cleaning service the next day. Figure out who wants to do what, and delegate the responsibility wherever you can!
Look for the best holiday travel deals, but avoid hidden fees.
Holiday travel can get expensive, especially if you’re traveling with a group. Plane tickets add up fast, and it can be hard to get everyone in the same place. To sidestep this, always hunt for holiday travel deals.
Websites like WAKANOW or JUMIA TRAVELS search multiple airline and travel sites at once, making sure you’re getting the best deal on all your holiday travel. Be careful of fares that might have hidden fees, though — lots of airlines have “basic economy” tickets now that don’t allow carry-ons
or for you to choose your seats, and the last thing you want is to end up having to spread your friends out across an airplane.
Make a plan, and stick to it
As you’re looking for ways to make it through the Easter holiday season with your sanity and finances intact, don’t blow through your budget and dip into
other accounts, come up with a spending plan now to set your finances up for success in 2019.