I’m a mum and here’s my top eight tips to save money this Christmas – and why you should be buying more gift cards

CHRISTMAS is just around the corner, which means most of us are planning for some pricey shopping days.

But one mum has revealed her top eight budgeting tips to get you through the festive season.

Youtube

Angela revealed her top budgeting hacks for a panic-free Christmas[/caption]

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And there’s a very good reason you should start buying gift cards now[/caption]

Angela, from Canada, shared her tips in a YouTube video, and revealed the clever things you can start doing now so you don’t have a super expensive December.

First, the mum recommends making a budget to decided exactly what your going to spend for christmas.

She said that with prices going up you should write a list of your non-negotiable items you want this Christmas and figure out what to cut back on.

Angela added: “Don’t put yourself in debt or hurt yourself by spending too much money on one day of the year.”

Now you have a budget Angela recommends doing an inventory of everything you need to buy for Christmas such as wrapping paper and cards.

She said you should then check what you already have from last year and use that up instead of buying more.

The money-saving mum recommends to start buying two things now to stop you form overspending during December.

The first thing Angela suggested buying is one Christmas food item a week in your regular shop.

Not only will this help get you even more excited for the festive season, but it will also mean you won’t go overboard on Christmas goodies.

Angela also advices buying gift cards each week at shops you’ll know you’ll buy gifts from.

“I know that come Christmas I’ll have a stockpile of gift cards to go towards my purchases,” she explained.

Angela also added that you should save any points you get from membership cards so that you can pay off your grocery shopping or presents with them.

Everybody loves a bargain – and Angela recommends checking out the clearance aisles in stores to pick up toys for little ones.

The money-saving mum is also a big fan of cash stuffing envelopes and does this throughout they year to put aside for the holidays.

She added: “Every week leading up to Christmas you put some money aside in the envelop and seal the envelope.”

Finally, the frugal mum said you want to keep track of everything you’re spending throughout the build up to Christmas to ensure you don’t go over budget.