‘Tis the season to be thrifty

Christmas is just around the corner, and each Aussie shopper is tipped to spend an average of $464 on presents alone this year – that’s equivalent to $8.8 billion nationwide.

  • 11 December 2018

    ‘Tis the season to be thrifty

    Christmas is just around the corner, and each Aussie shopper is tipped to spend an average of $464 on presents alone this year – that’s equivalent to $8.8 billion nationwide.

    Luckily, sales season is also upon us, so you can stock up on gifts at a fraction of the usual price and save yourself big bucks in the process. finder.com.au shares seven tips to help steer you through the sales season and cut down your Christmas spend.

    two women with shopping bags going up escalators

    1. Set a budget and stick to it

    Over two-thirds of us end up with a post-Christmas debt hangover. To avoid being stung by the festive season, set a realistic budget and stick to it. Assess your finances prior to the Christmas period to determine exactly how much you can allocate for gifts and supplies. Speak with friends or relatives about setting a cash limit for presents.

    2. Plan ahead

    There are four major sales days to look out for between here and Christmas. Sales like Black Friday and Cyber Monday will see heavy discounts across a huge range of products from fashion to homewares and electronics. This is a savvy way to tackle your Christmas shopping – not only can you bag a pile of gifts at a bargain, you’ll beat the dreaded December crowds.

    3. Make a list (and check it twice)

    Keep a detailed list of everything you need to buy as well as everyone you need to buy for in the lead up to Christmas. This will help you keep track of your purchases and prevent unnecessary spending. Lists are a great way to power through the limited time available on sales days too since you already know exactly what you need to buy.

    4. Get in early

    Online sales events often attract a high volume of shoppers. Participating sites can slow down and become difficult to navigate as a result. It’s worth jumping online a few hours before the sale starts so you can fill up your shopping cart ahead of time. That way once the chaos descends, all you’ll need to do is refresh your cart and head to the checkout.

    5. Compare the pair

    Smaller brands are often stocked by larger retailers, particularly when it comes to clothing. During a sale, larger stores tend to offer better discounts on the same item than the original retailers do themselves. Before purchasing an item online, check to see if it’s stocked elsewhere at a lower price. Keep in mind that postage and handling costs may differ across various sites, so take this into account when comparing costs.

    6. Use your vouchers

    We all have a couple of gift cards or vouchers that we’ve yet to use. Christmas is the perfect time to get rid of them before they expire. Every dollar of gift card credit spent is one less dollar from your own pocket. You’ll be surprised how much you can end up saving, especially if you use them in conjunction with a sale.

    7. Try before you buy

    It’s easy to give into the occasional impulse buy amidst the madness of the sales. These purchases often leave us with an ill-fitting garment and a case of buyer’s remorse. To avoid wrestling with refunds and returns policies, inspect the product in-store first. That way you can make an informed decision about whether it’s right for you before purchasing at a lower price during the sale.

    This article provided by Bessie Hassan, Money Expert at finder.com.au.

Back to top