15 Ideas to make the most of your budget at Christmas

1. Follow the best strategy

Make numbers and don't leave home without knowing how much money you can spend. Spreading the shopping days allows you to take advantage of all the offers. In addition, if you use online comparators you can find the best value for money. Super tip: Avoid rush hours as they encourage messy shopping.

2. And adjust to the extra pay

The joy of receiving the extra Christmas pay can make you lose the north . This false idea of abundance can lead to overconfidence. The best antidote to startles at the end of the month is control. A good way to achieve this without having to do numbers every day is to take out the money that you can spend in cash and distribute it in different envelopes, indicating in each one the concept of expense to which it will be destined.

3. But above all, relax and keep your feet on the ground

Businesses and advertisers will do everything possible to make you lose track of reality. Be firm in the face of temptations and try to make all your purchases reflect and do not get carried away by a false euphoria that you can later regret. Relaaaaax …

4. Agree on a maximum price per gift

It is a fundamental rule, especially if there are many of you in the family and the exchange of gifts forces you to a large outlay. The fear of falling short can lead you to invest more than you owe. Setting an affordable amount for everyone or limiting the number of gifts per family will avoid overexertion. When choosing a gift or toy, remember that the best is not the most expensive, but the most appropriate. Why don't you make the invisible friend? It is original and you can make original gifts for less than € 10.

5. Internet, a good ally

Online purchases increase on these dates by 50%. It is not strange, because the internet allows us to obtain great discounts without sacrificing quality. Of course, look in trusted stores and make sure they allow you to return the product if you are not satisfied.

6. Require guarantees

Last minute rush can lower your guard just when your shopping volume is going to increase the most. Do not forget to demand the ticket (or save the receipt if you buy online) and check the time frame to return or exchange the item. The most practical thing so that they do not get misplaced is to allocate a fixed place for all the safeguards that you will accumulate these days and make a folder on your computer to keep them all organized.

7. Before, sell

Most consumers take advantage of these dates to renew a technological gadget. Latest generation cameras, music players, tablets or telephones are among the most desired objects. Have you ever wondered what you are going to do with the ones you no longer need? Take advantage of them by putting them up for sale. These articles have a lot of outlet and allow you to recover a good part of the budget.

8. Use business cards

Some cards issued by businesses and companies work like credit cards, but with the advantage that they are usually free and without maintenance costs. In addition, loyalty programs offer economic advantages such as accumulating discounts.

9. Do not mortgage

Avoid overcharging the card, in installments or purchasing products that require a monthly fee for maintenance or permanence contracts, such as mobile phones or tablets. What now seems like an opportunity may turn into a burden starting in January.

10. Toys, take them seriously

All toys must bear the CE guarantee seal. There are formulas to pay less, such as going to large stores, since according to the Federation of Independent Users and Consumers, they are the ones with the lowest prices. Although you don't have to keep the first gift you buy, go through several stores and compare prices, the differences can be considerable.

11. Bet on useful gifts

We all like to surprise, but don't let the search for originality cloud your practical spirit. Many of the objects that are bought on these dates end up forgotten in a drawer. Do not invest your money in useless whims.

12. Travel for less

If you plan to make a getaway and do not want to spend a lot, take advantage of last minute offers. You will get very advantageous rates, especially if you have some flexibility, both in the dates and in the destination. It is a good option to travel alone or with friends, but with family it is more risky. And if what worries you is that you do not have anything in the trunk or you are worried about packing, we teach you how to pack the perfect suitcase.

13. Originality to power

Where the budget does not reach the imagination can go. Can there be anything more beautiful than a gift made by yourself? When giving gifts, go for emotional options, such as a framed old photo; experiences such as preparing a tour of your city and becoming an occasional guide or creating your own gift voucher book, with several vouchers for a movie session with popcorn, babysitting hours, a catering service … Take a look at these original gifts for less than € 15!

14. Decorate without spending

Before starting to buy ornaments, think about what type of decoration you want to get and see what trinkets you can take advantage of from previous years. When it comes to wrapping, look for cheaper formulas like brown paper. Combined with details or colored ribbons it will look great on you. If you want more ideas, don't miss our DIY alert to make your own Christmas decorations.

15. Get more without going overboard

Presenting a good menu does not necessarily mean spending a lot of money. It is better to invest in more modest but top quality raw materials than in more showy but inferior ones. A free-range chicken can do better than some more expensive seafood. A good recipe and a careful presentation will do the rest. Here are easy recipes to surprise your guests at Christmas and tricks to make the menu super cheap.

It is approaching Christmas and that, besides reunions, meals and celebrations, also involves gifts, gifts and more gifts. So that this year you can celebrate these holidays without worries, we bring you 15 tricks to be able to stretch your budget and celebrate Christmas more and better.

1. Stick to the extra pay

The joy of receiving the extra Christmas pay can make you lose the north , especially if more than one enters your house. This false idea of abundance - suddenly we see a wide margin in our balance - can lead to overconfidence. The best antidote to startles at the end of the month is control. A good way to achieve this without having to do numbers every day is to take out the money that you can spend in cash and distribute it in different envelopes, indicating in each one the concept of expense to which it will be destined (food, clothes, gifts …) .

2. Use business credit cards

3. Agree on a maximum price per gift

It is a fundamental rule, especially if there are many of you in your family and the exchange of gifts forces you to a large outlay. The fear of falling short can lead you to invest more than you owe. Setting an affordable amount for everyone or limiting the number of gifts per family will avoid overexertion. When choosing a gift or toy, remember that the best is not the most expensive, but the most appropriate.

Thus, you will neither pass nor fall short

4. Before, sell

Most consumers take advantage of these dates to renew a technological gadget. Latest generation cameras, music players, tablets or telephones are among the most desired objects. Have you ever wondered what you are going to do with the ones you no longer need? Take advantage of them by putting them up for sale. In addition to money, you will gain space. These articles have a lot of outlet and allow you to recover a good part of the budget.

5. Follow the best strategy

Make numbers. Don't leave home without knowing how much money you can spend.
In various exits. Spreading the purchases allows you to take advantage of all the offers.
Use online comparators. They help you find the best value for money.
Avoid rush hours. They incite a disorderly purchase.

6. Require guarantees

Last minute rush can lower your guard just when your shopping volume is going to increase the most. Do not forget to demand the ticket and check the time period to return or exchange the item. The most practical thing so that they are not misplaced is to allocate a fixed place for all the safeguards that you will accumulate these days.

7. Internet, a good ally

Look in trusted stores and make sure they allow you to return the product

8. Bet on useful gifts

9. With your feet on the ground

Businesses and advertisers will do everything possible to make you lose track of reality. Be firm in the face of temptations and try to make all your purchases reflect. Do not get carried away by a false euphoria that you can later regret.

10. Toys, take them seriously

When it comes to our children, the last thing we need to save on is security. All toys must bear the CE guarantee seal. But there are formulas to pay less:

In large areas. According to the Federation of Independent Users and Consumers, these are the centers with the lowest prices.
Last minute bargains. Many traders lower prices in the last days to release their stocks.
Tour various stores. Compare prices, the differences can be considerable.

11. Travel for less

If you plan to make a getaway and do not want to spend a lot, take advantage of last minute offers. You will get very advantageous rates, especially if you have some flexibility, both in the dates and in the destination. It is a good option to travel alone or with friends, but with family it is more risky.

12. Less money, more imagination

Where the budget does not reach the imagination can go. When giving gifts, go for emotional options, such as a framed old photo; experiences like preparing a tour of your city and becoming an occasional guide; or create your own gift voucher book, with several vouchers for a movie session with popcorn, babysitting hours, a catering service …