How to Pay Bills & Have Christmas
- 1). Adjust your tax withholding. If you get a refund every year, reduce the amount of tax kept out of your monthly paycheck and put it aside in a savings account. Then you can use this to pay for your Christmas shopping.
- 2). Take a second job to get extra cash through the holidays. Many retail stores need part-time help during the holiday season to service their customers. If you can work 10 hours a week somewhere for $12 an hour, then you can clear an extra $480 if you keep the job for a month, or twice that amount for two.
- 3). Cut your incidental expenses in every area possible. Cut your cable, turn down your thermostat and chop some wood and burn it in your fireplace. Keep your lights turned off, and buy food in bulk at discount stores. Cancel your restaurant and movie nights for a few weeks.
- 4). Consider having a creative Christmas. Have each member of your family make something for the others instead of purchasing items. This not only saves money but gives your family the opportunity to express their love for each other in an original fashion, using their imagination.
- 5). Wait until a week after Christmas to buy and exchange gifts. This way you get to do your Christmas shopping at after-Christmas prices. You can often save up to 50 percent this way.
