With about six weeks left to Christmas, Judy Liebenberg, a franchise principal and financial advisor at Momentum Consult, has started planning her spending for the festive season and has advice on how we all can join her in being money savvy.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a financial advisor, planning should come naturally to me but guess what, as a human being and a self-employed mom I leave Christmas planning and shopping for gifts until about two weeks before Christmas Day, and then find myself in a frenzy, overspending money,\u201d she said.<\/p>
\u201cThis year I want to do it differently and actually work on a budget as I am no longer prepared to spend my hard earned bonus and savings on too much food, super expensive decorations (that last for one day) and the wrong gifts just for the sake of buying something.<\/p>\n
Through research conducted by questioning the spending habits of friends and family, Judy has put together saving and spending tips that will make a difference in your personal budgets this December and next January.<\/p>
Plan ahead:<\/strong><\/p>\n It is always ideal to save money for Christmas as early as possible.<\/p>\n Experts say we should start planning for Christmas in July already, though it is not always easy to put money away as we tend to spend every little bit in our bank accounts.<\/p>\n Purchase a gift card when you do your monthly grocery shopping.<\/p>\n Add an amount you can afford on the gift card and put it away in an envelope to use as part of your Christmas budget.<\/p>\n Build up rewards points:<\/strong><\/p>\n These days every shop has some sort of rewards point system.<\/p>\n For a certain amount you spend, you get points allocated to a rewards card which you can then later use to purchase items with.<\/p>\n Agree with yourself that you will not use the points throughout the year but that you will accumulate and keep it for December so that you can use it towards your Christmas budget.<\/p>\n Buy throughout the year:<\/strong><\/p>\n Shops usually have huge discounts and sales at certain times of the year where you can purchase gifts at a fraction of the price.<\/p>\n Stock clearance sales are the best.<\/p>\n Also, start buying your Christmas meat now.<\/p>\n Look for specials and put it in the freezer, most meats can be frozen for up to three months.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t wait until the last week before Christmas as prices will be heavily inflated.<\/p>\n Support charity shops (thrift stores):<\/strong><\/p>\n The majority of the money we spend on Christmas is for gift shopping.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen my children were younger I\u2019d ask them at the beginning of December to write a letter to Santa.<\/p>\n \u201cThey loved it and I found it sweet until I had to actually go buy the gifts.<\/p>\n \u201cI never wanted to disappoint them thus ended up overspending totally on my budget.<\/p>\n \u201cThis year my sweet, sweet children you will get something from a charity shop (like Hospice) as this is my way of contributing towards charity. As the saying goes: One man\u2019s trash is another man\u2019s treasure.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you actually take time to visit these shops you will find the most amazing sensible gifts,\u201d said Judy.<\/p>\n The name in the hat game:<\/strong><\/p>\n If it is your turn to host the Christmas party this year then put the names of the guests in a hat and let each person choose a name with your next visit.<\/p>\n Do this in advance to Christmas and then each person will be responsible to buy only one gift.<\/p>\n Agree on a budget and stick to it.<\/p>\n Make your own decorations:<\/strong><\/p>\n Let the creative juices flow.<\/p>\n There are so many affordable and easy to make ideas on the internet.<\/p>\n Do some research and let the children help you with this.<\/p>\n Make it a holiday project and keep them busy.<\/p>\n This way you will get to spend quality time with family, be creative and save a lot of money.<\/p>\n \u201cI am so over the very expensive Christmas crackers that contain one cheap toy and a Chinese proverb.<\/p>\n \u201cRather save the empty toilet rolls and fill them with small chocolates and wrap them with homemade gift wrap,\u201d added Judy.<\/p>\n Bring a dish day:<\/strong><\/p>\n If it is your turn to host the party it doesn\u2019t mean that you have to feed a nation.<\/p>\n Ask each couple to bring a salad or a dish that will fit in with your menu.<\/p>\n \u201cMy mom, for instance, makes the best potato salad ever thus I will ask her to bring it.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will have cold meats and salads for Christmas lunch.<\/p>\n \u201cFor those who cannot cook, you are most welcome to make a financial contribution towards the menu,\u201d said Judy.<\/p>\n Trifle pudding is so last season:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cStop buying Christmas cake (not everyone likes it) and trifle is really overrated and expensive to make.<\/p>\n \u201cUse Google or Pinterest to find a cheap easy to make tart recipe.<\/p>\n \u201cI got a delicious recipe from my friend, which serves eight to 10 people for just under R80,\u201d said Judy.<\/p>\n Leftovers \u2013 the day after:<\/strong><\/p>\n Don\u2019t just throw leftovers away, make a new dish out of them.<\/p>\n Make nice sandwiches or deliver it to a shelter for homeless people, they will appreciate every bite.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThis is my personal tip: consider giving your children and spouse the best gift ever, namely the eighth wonder of the world, compound interest,\u201d said Judy.<\/p>\n \u201cThis year my children will each get a R500 unit trust investment for Christmas as part of their gifts.<\/p>\n \u201cI will ask my financial advisor (yes I also have one) to assist me with planning according to their ages and outcomes that we want to reach.<\/p>\n \u201cMy husband has a retirement annuity and my gift to him will be an ad hoc lump sum that I will pay into his plan.<\/p>\n \u201cNo more expensive gifts that are only used for a month or two or that depreciate in value.\u201d<\/p>\n Hav<\/strong>e a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\nALSO READ:\u00a0Help us make Christmas special for vulnerable children<\/a><\/h4>\n