Morning, COLA – Kayla here. My family fondly refers to my mother-in-law as “Klaus,” because she shops for Christmas presents all year long. Not only does it make her happy, but it’s also budget-friendly.

We could probably all learn a little something from her. To help you budget for the season and manage your money (and stress), here are 6 tips from AllSouth:

1. Create a budget ✅

It’s helpful to set a realistic limit on what you can afford to spend and stick to it. Here’s how to get started.

2. Cut your expenses ✂️

Once you’ve established a budget, you can evaluate your expenses + find ways to cut back on unnecessary purchases. Hello, extra money for presents.

3. Stick to your list 📝

List all your holiday-related expenses, like decorations, travel, food, wrapping paper + gifts. Then make like Santa and check it twice.

4. Start shopping early 💻

Many people will rely more on online shopping this year due to the pandemic, and retailers have noticed – many are offering online deals + discounts earlier than usual (read: before Black Friday).

5. Stock up for next year 🗓️

Shopping at the end of the holiday season can yield deeply discounted prices. Pro-tip: During spring + summer, you can buy winter coats + gear at a fraction of the usual cost.

6. Start saving 💰

You can get ready for next year by opening a Christmas Club account + have a set amount of money automatically deposited each month throughout the year. In November, all the money you’ve saved will automatically transfer into your AllSouth Checking or Savings account.

Here are more holiday spending tips + tricks from AllSouth. Ⓟ