的 holidays themselves are an ultimate Catch-22; you’ve never been invited to more events, 派对和聚会, but you’ve also never been more conscious of how little cash you have to spend on them. On top of that, there are gifts, decorations and travel expenses to consider.

以下是如何在不倾家荡财的情况下享受这个季节的方法.

1. 查看团体折扣 

如果你和朋友一起参加节日主题的活动, 如果你们每个人单独支付的话，费用通常会很高. 幸运的是, you can usually get a discount if you go in as a group – look at online discount hubs like Groupon to see what type of holiday steals are available where you live. If all else fails, you may be able to finagle a discount from the event organizers themselves. Just call, make your case, and see if you can get some cash knocked off your ticket or fees.

2. 选择非高峰时间

Another way to enjoy holiday events and spectacles for less is to attend on weekdays instead of weekends. 日场和工作日的演出通常会打折.

3. 在人迹罕至的地方度假

Want to enjoy a cheap vacation while simultaneously avoiding the teeth-pulling sensation of spending time with your distant relatives? Sometimes you can get awesome deals for vacations during the holiday season. 看看那些技术上处于“淡季”的地点,” which means that hotel rates and flight prices could be discounted.

4. 震撼你内心的神秘圣诞老人

Potlucks and Secret Santas are inexpensive ways to have a great time with your friends without feeling like you’re going to have to take out another mortgage on your house. 你只需要来点蛋奶酒, 一顶从帽子里抽出名字的帽子, 这是洋蓟蘸酱的半成品, 你都准备好了.

5. 设定预期

事实上，很多人都在精打细算. 你能付出的时间和金钱是有限的. Spend some time setting clear expectations with your family and friends about what to expect during the holidays this year. Use some humor and just be honest about what you can and can’t do.

让你的家人和朋友也摆脱送礼的困境. Maybe even share ideas that will make (almost) everyone happy. 

You can let people be generous but lift the pressure off of them by providing fun, 但节俭的建议. Some ideas include homemade gifts, a white elephant party, or even a holiday season without gifts. 而不是花钱, 花更多的时间和你的朋友在一起——聚餐, 一个游戏之夜, 或者参加假日跑步活动. 

6. 设定一个预算

If you’re unable to change other people’s minds about gift-giving this holiday season, then be clear with yourself about what you can and cannot do financially. Take a close look at your finances and set a holiday budget and stick to your plan.

7. 得到社会

It’s amazing how many deals you can find from your favorite retailers this time of year, 尤其是如果你使用社交媒体的话. 在脸谱网上看, 推特, Pinterest, or your favorite retailer’s website for coupon codes or upcoming sales. 不要全价购买你的物品.

8. 减少脂肪

How long has it been since you took a good look at your monthly expenses? Look for subscriptions or services that you aren’t using or automatic debits for forgotten bills or purchases.

你发现你的杂货店了吗, 电, and fun budget line items have increased significantly since the last time you took a hard look at your expenses? Sock away as much of your freed-up cash as possible so that you can use cash for your future purchases. 

9. 卖东西

Go through your home and look for items that you’re no longer using. 如果它们状况良好的话, sell them online – use sites like OfferUp and eBay or have a garage sale if you’re in a warm-weather state.

储蓄应用程序和网站

If you’ve already decided there’s no getting around buying holiday gifts, then make sure you’re using savings apps and sites like the ones below to their full advantage.

> 乐天

有了这个网站，你购物的时候可以拿回现金. If you’re planning to purchase items on Amazon – or even from Target – then your first step should be to sign up for 乐天.  

简单地创建您的配置文件, and then each time you plan to make an online purchase from one of your favorite stores, just log into 乐天 and type in your favorite retailer’s name. 它是那么容易. 你甚至可以为你的浏览器的搜索栏得到一个扩展, 什么时候可以提醒你去购物.

> ShopSavvy

Consider it your own army of elves, all working right on your phone. 使用 ShopSavvy, you just need to scan the barcode of whatever item you’re planning to purchase. 的n the app will compare that item’s price with its price at other stores and help you find cash-back retailers. It even allows you to watch for price drops on that specific gift.

> 圣诞老人的袋子

这个列表管理应用程序, you can create shopping lists and specific budgets for each person on your list, 在你买礼物的时候把它们划掉, and then keep a watchful eye on just how much you’re spending.

圣诞老人的袋子 也会记录你每年买的礼物. 这种方式, you can save yourself from the embarrassment of buying that co-worker the same scented candle two holidays in a row.

> SnipSnap

的 SnipSnap app lets you snap a picture of printed coupons and bookmark digital coupons from your favorite retailers and sort them by their expiration date. 当你到达收银台的时候, simply pull up the offer on the app and show it to the cashier who scans it and inputs a code displayed under the coupon.

的 app also has a “near me” function, which displays any nearby offers. 因为它会追踪你的位置, you can receive a push notification when you are close to an offer that you saved. 这种方式, you don’t have to constantly check the app and risk forgetting when you intended to use a coupon.

Making it through the holidays without breaking the bank will set you up well to stick to your financial resolutions in the coming year. 

轮到你: Tell us your tips on enjoying the holiday season without the financial stress.