Saving Big for the Holidays by Throwing Parties

According to research from statista.com the average person anticipated spending only $704 on holiday gifts in 2014. This number is down from higher economic years such as those of 1999 and 2007 which were above $800 per person. Retailers know that holiday buying usually happens in November and December but they are constantly devising ways for you as the consumer to feel comfortable in starting your holiday shopping early. To encourage purchases in summertime, you may see commercials on tv or radio that reference Christmas in July sales. These commercials are targeting people like me, the planner and budgeter. I plan my gift giving each year and therefore I save lots of money each year. I consider spreadsheets on the computer to be a work of art. In fact, I have monthly planning on even my Christmas and holiday gift giving. I’ve decided to share a few tips that help me budget and earn a large portion of my gifts for the holiday season.

I always start by creating a gift giving list. My list includes teachers, neighbors, and co-workers. Once you budget gifts for each person on your list you’ll know what it will take to reach your goal. I look at my monthly finances and then manually pull out money to put into savings each month to meet my goal. This year I discovered a “set it and forget it” savings option. It is called Smarty Pig. Yes, they have an app for that! They are partnered with BBVA compass which is FDIC insured. Through their banking and savings program you can do two amazing things. First, you can schedule savings to be drafted from your checking into your account. Secondly, you can share your financial goals and others can contribute. As with any financial solutions please consult with your financial expert about this option as you will earn interest on your savings.

Statista,. (2015). Christmas in the U.S. – average spending on gifts, 2014 | Statistic. Retrieved 7 July 2015, from http://www.statista.com/statistics/246963/christmas-spending-in-the-us-during-november//

Smartypig.com,. (2015). Smartypig. Retrieved 6 July 2015, from https://www.smartypig.com/how-it-works/tutorials/mobile-app

Source: Retrieved 6 July 2015, from https://www.smartypig.com/how-it-works/tutorials/mobile-app

Let’s suppose that this year your budget for holiday gifts is $2,500 but your savings plan only allows for you to save $1,500. What can you do? This is where it get’s good. In direct selling companies you can host a party without joining as a distributor. Often as a reward for your efforts there is a hostess gift awarded to you the host at the end of the event. I recently looked at the (MLM.com, 2015) directories list at MLM.com to find several direct selling companies that I could offer to host a party for and get a gift to add to my holiday gift giving stockpile. Here are a few that I came up with.

● Avon – Sally
● Thirty One Gifts – Jan
● Jerky Direct – Mike
● Tupperware – Jennifer
● Mary Kay – Sara
● Party Light Gifts – Jessica
● Man Cave – Bob
● All Dazzle – Stacey
● Bandals Footwear – Sharon
● Barefoot Books – Bobby
● Do You Bake – Corey
● Groom Industries – Myself

Photo Source: Retrieved 6 July 2015, from http://www.retailsolutionsonline.com

If we assume a hostess gift is valued between $20 – $50 per party, I would be able to dramatically reduce my budget for gifts to meet my savings ability. I created a spreadsheet that will allow you to track your holiday gift giving. Here are 9 other ways to save on your Christmas:

• Barter for gifts and Christmas cards.
• Have a garage sale.
• Keep your shopping list and budget on your phone with you when you are shopping.
• Use the Amazon discount code finder. http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/cheap-amazon-loopholes
• Cut Movie and TV Costs by borrowing DVD’s and lowering your cable subscription.
• Make gifts that are personalized with a heartfelt message.
• Use one of these savings plans posted on Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/explore/christmas-savings-plan/
• Clip coupons and save on weekly groceries.
• Cook more. It is well known that eating out costs more.

To summarize, I find that the most fun and economical way to save for the holidays is by being a host of a party for a direct selling company. And by adding one or two other savings ideas you can create an amazing holiday gift giving for friends and family without adding financial stress. Your efforts will make a wonderful holiday filled with fond memories.

Photo Credits:

Smartypig.com,. (2015). Smartypig. Retrieved 6 July 2015, from https://www.smartypig.com/

Retailsolutionsonline.com,. (2015). Thirty-One Gifts Successfully Deploys TXT Integrated Retail Planning Solution. Retrieved 7 July 2015, from http://www.retailsolutionsonline.com/doc/thirty-one-gifts-successfully-deploys-txt-integrated-retail-planning-solution-0001