Let the holiday shopping begin! During this festive season spending extra money is easy and even expected as we purchase gifts, host dinner parties, and turn up the heaters. Here are 5 simple ways to save during the holidays.

1. Shop your closet for holiday wear

Instead of purchasing a new outfit for every holiday party, shop your closet! Shopping your closet for holiday outfits is not only a great way to save, but it is also a fun way to be creative with what you have. Try pairing a black dress with a colorful scarf, or wear a fancy top with jeans and those over-the-top shoes you have. Be creative! As long as you feel beautiful and confident, any look can be perfect for the holidays.

2. Shop the sales

Many retailers offer large discounts and sales during the holiday season giving you the opportunity to save big! The best way to shop the sales is to sign up for your favorite retailers’ email lists. You will receive an email every time there is a new deal in the store or new merchandise coming in. And when the holiday season is over, feel free to unsubscribe from these email lists if you like to keep your inbox less cluttered.

3. Be conscious of what you are spending, keep a list or booklet

Just being aware of what you are spending can actually save you money. It helps prevent overspending, gives peace of mind, and makes sure you know exactly what you spent on each person, party, and gift. Use a booklet, checkbook, or app where you can easily write down everything you spend. We recommend using a booklet or app that is easily accessible and easy to use so writing down your purchases is quick and simple.

4. Set a budget for holiday presents

Setting a budget for your holiday presents is a great way to save and a fun shopping challenge! Set a budget for each person you are purchasing gifts for and try to stay as close to that budget as possible. Do some comparison shopping between stores to find the lowest prices on items and check places like Amazon.com and Target.com for items being sold at a discounted rate. This might require a little more effort while you are shopping but offers a huge payoff in the end when you know everyone has received something they love, and you did not break the bank.

5. Use a cashback website

There are many websites that offer cashback for online purchases from a large variety of retailers. If you do a lot of shopping online, these website are a great way to save a little extra money with minimal effort. One of our favorite cashback websites is couponcabin.com. Go to couponcabin.com and make a profile (it’s free), type in the retailer you want to shop at, and that retailer’s profile will come up with available coupons and the cash back rate that is being offered. Click the “shop now” button and you will be redirected to that retailer’s website and your cashback will be recorded when you complete your purchase.

We hope these 5 ways to save during the holidays gives you peace of mind this holiday season. We wish you the happiest of holidays surrounded by all the people you love.

Happy Holidays!