With the craziness of the holiday season starting typically after Thanksgiving, shoppers are beginning a little earlier this year.
If you do not already have Pearl Hawaii’s Holiday Savings account, don’t worry. There is still time to plan. If you haven’t done so already, look at your budget in the months leading up to December so you can decide how much you want to spend on gifts, travel, and more. If you don’t, your January credit card bill may catch you by surprise.
If you have not prepared, you may want to check out Personal Loans. Also, consider opening a Holiday Savings account now so you will be ready for next year. Without proper preparations, it’s easy to let spending get out of hand.
PREP YOUR SAVINGS FOR THE HOLIDAYS
STEP 1 | MAKE A LIST OF PEOPLE
Include your immediate family, coworkers, and other people that you want to give a gift to – big or small. Do you have to purchase gifts for your child’s class or their teachers? What about your neighbors, people that provide you services, or the friends in clubs that you or your family belong to? Also, consider how much you will have to spend on potlucks. How many gifts will you need to get each person?
STEP 2 | MAKE A BUDGET
Create a budget and decide how much you are willing to spend on each person. Remember to include costs like greeting cards, decorations, stocking stuffers, wrapping paper, and food. If you are leaving your home, remember to include the cost of travel, lodging, rentals, and various tips.
STEP 3 | START SAVING
Once you decide on a holiday budget, it’s time to start saving. A Holiday Savings account is separate from a savings account that you open in addition to your emergency fund.
*Annual Percentage Yield. Rates are subject to change without prior notice. Savings Rates and terms effective June 3, 2021. Fees could reduce the earnings on the account.
**Annual Percentage Yield. Deposits can be made to this account between November 1st and October 31st of each year. On November 1st, funds in the account will be transferred to the member’s checking or savings account (if checking is not available). $5.00 minimum balance to open and earn APY. There is a $5.00 fee per withdrawal. Fees could reduce the earnings on the account. Federally insured by NCUA.
Why should you open a Holiday Savings Account that is separate from your emergency fund or regular savings account?
From gift buying to expensive large meals and sometimes travel expenses as well as other holiday-related costs, holiday debt can be a real burden for people.
Unfortunately, some people are still holding onto holiday debt from previous years. With budgeting and setting a little aside every month, your Holiday Savings Account can help avoid the financial burden and holiday spending woes. No one wants to start the new year with added debt.
How do I get started before the holidays?
If you have not done so already, look at your budget and estimate how much you will need during the holidays. Decide how much you want to spend on gifts, travel, or more. First, make a list of people you are buying gifts for, plus other costs like greeting cards, decorations, travel, accommodations, food, and various costs that you may incur like added electrical costs, etc. Next, identify what your budget is going to be for the holidays to cover these expenses. Third, set up your Holiday Savings account to transfer a little every month to cover the budget you will need for the holidays.
TIPS
Find good deals. Black Friday and Cyber Monday can offer big savings, but you might find better deals at other times. Start researching prices especially on big-ticket items so you know what a good deal is and what “special sale price” or “bargain” to skip.
Be frugal with holiday meal shopping. Food is central to most holiday celebrations. Sometimes, purchasing a whole meal can be several hundreds of dollars where you end up with a ton of leftovers. Consider purchasing pre-made meals and packages. Sometimes the packages developed by local restaurants and supermarkets are less expensive than purchasing all the various ingredients you will need to create the meal from scratch. The best part- you will be helping Hawaii’s local businesses.
Start planning a year ahead. While planning this year’s holidays, start thinking about how you will save money next year. What can be cut? Where can you find better deals?
Try the 52-week savings challenge! You will be surprised how much money you will save. With the 52-week savings challenge, you begin by saving $1 the first week of January, $2 the second week of January, $3 the next week, $4 the last week, $5 the next week, and so on while adding an additional dollar each week. If you do this for one year, you will have $1,378 at the end of the 52 weeks.
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