The one thing we recommend you don't do is join a
Christmas hamper club where your money is not safeguarded (remember the
Farepack fiasco in 2006?) Have a look at these alternatives and you
could have Christmas wrapped-up by November:
Do some Christmas shopping now
Shop prices tend to go up and up the nearer we get to Christmas and with so many people beyond just immediate family and friends to consider, it's handy to look out for any special offers, sales and BOGOFs (that's buy-one-get-one-frees) as early as you can. You could end up saving yourself lots of money, plus you can feel smug amongst the stressed-out shoppers in December because you'll have most of your shopping out of the way.
Keep an eye out for gifts throughout the year - as well as the big seasonal sales, plenty of stores now have smaller sales throughout the year in an effort to boost flagging profit margins. That 'perfect present' you think is unaffordable might be more reasonably priced come the store's next sale or 'event' - keep your eyes peeled and bag a bargain.
Use Cashback sites
If you prefer buying presents online to traipsing round the shops, use cashback sites to earn yourself money in the process. They work by sharing some of the commission with you that they receive from selling goods online so you can earn money every time you make a purchase.
Rpoints, for example, has no joining or subscription fee and also offers a 5 welcome bonus which you can redeem once you have built up 25 worth of cashback. There is 1p to a point; so 100 points is equal to1. Your points can be redeemed and converted to money straight into your bank account or by Paypal. You can buy a range of goods from electronics to baby products, clothes and food and drink.
Join your local Credit Union
Credit Unions have had Christmas savings accounts for years and their rates are pretty competitive - you can put as little as £1 in each time you make a deposit.
Each credit union has a 'common bond' which determines who can join it. This may be people living or working in the same area or those who are members of the same organisation, so ultimately, only your neighbours or colleagues benefit from your investment.
Credit Unions pay an annual dividend on your savings but you can take money out during the year if you need to. As with banks and building societies, your money is protected under the Financial Compensation Scheme, so the first £50,000 of your savings is safe whatever happens to the Credit Union.
Collect coins
Simple ideas are always the best and this old favourite is no exception. At the end of the day or week, pick out all the loose change from your pockets, wallets and bags and keep it in a jar or envelope. If you do this every week it's amazing how much you can save over a year.
At the end of every month, collect up the coins you have saved and take them to the Post Office, a Credit Union or a building society. That way you'll earn some interest and the money will be safe from pilferers - including you!
Buy things early
As with buying gifts throughout the year, it's never too early to start planning for next Christmas. It doesn't just have to be money that you save throughout the year either. Start with any sales that catch your eye throughout the year and buy items for Christmas as you see them on offer. Christmas decorations, cards and gifts are marked down from just after Boxing Day so save money by putting these away for the next year. Take advantage of the January sales for small presents and stocking fillers and you can always stock up on food like mince pies and crackers for the following festivities and freeze the stuff that won't keep. Of course, this only works if you have space to spare!
Do some Christmas shopping now
Shop prices tend to go up and up the nearer we get to Christmas and with so many people beyond just immediate family and friends to consider, it's handy to look out for any special offers, sales and BOGOFs (that's buy-one-get-one-frees) as early as you can. You could end up saving yourself lots of money, plus you can feel smug amongst the stressed-out shoppers in December because you'll have most of your shopping out of the way.
Keep an eye out for gifts throughout the year - as well as the big seasonal sales, plenty of stores now have smaller sales throughout the year in an effort to boost flagging profit margins. That 'perfect present' you think is unaffordable might be more reasonably priced come the store's next sale or 'event' - keep your eyes peeled and bag a bargain.
Use Cashback sites
If you prefer buying presents online to traipsing round the shops, use cashback sites to earn yourself money in the process. They work by sharing some of the commission with you that they receive from selling goods online so you can earn money every time you make a purchase.
Rpoints, for example, has no joining or subscription fee and also offers a 5 welcome bonus which you can redeem once you have built up 25 worth of cashback. There is 1p to a point; so 100 points is equal to1. Your points can be redeemed and converted to money straight into your bank account or by Paypal. You can buy a range of goods from electronics to baby products, clothes and food and drink.
Join your local Credit Union
Credit Unions have had Christmas savings accounts for years and their rates are pretty competitive - you can put as little as £1 in each time you make a deposit.
Each credit union has a 'common bond' which determines who can join it. This may be people living or working in the same area or those who are members of the same organisation, so ultimately, only your neighbours or colleagues benefit from your investment.
Credit Unions pay an annual dividend on your savings but you can take money out during the year if you need to. As with banks and building societies, your money is protected under the Financial Compensation Scheme, so the first £50,000 of your savings is safe whatever happens to the Credit Union.
Collect coins
Simple ideas are always the best and this old favourite is no exception. At the end of the day or week, pick out all the loose change from your pockets, wallets and bags and keep it in a jar or envelope. If you do this every week it's amazing how much you can save over a year.
At the end of every month, collect up the coins you have saved and take them to the Post Office, a Credit Union or a building society. That way you'll earn some interest and the money will be safe from pilferers - including you!
Buy things early
As with buying gifts throughout the year, it's never too early to start planning for next Christmas. It doesn't just have to be money that you save throughout the year either. Start with any sales that catch your eye throughout the year and buy items for Christmas as you see them on offer. Christmas decorations, cards and gifts are marked down from just after Boxing Day so save money by putting these away for the next year. Take advantage of the January sales for small presents and stocking fillers and you can always stock up on food like mince pies and crackers for the following festivities and freeze the stuff that won't keep. Of course, this only works if you have space to spare!
Jasmine Birtles is the founder of the money-making and money-saving website http://www.moneymagpie.com
Jasmine earns her living as a finance journalist, expert, TV presenter and is author of 38 books including the latest, "Beat the Banks!"
Sign up for MoneyMagpie's weekly newsletter http://www.moneymagpie.com and get free money making tips, money saving guides and exclusive offers and discounts.
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http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jasmine_Birtles
Jasmine earns her living as a finance journalist, expert, TV presenter and is author of 38 books including the latest, "Beat the Banks!"
Sign up for MoneyMagpie's weekly newsletter http://www.moneymagpie.com and get free money making tips, money saving guides and exclusive offers and discounts.
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