Homestead Holidays! How to Save Money while Making the Kids Happy!

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Homestead Holidays

How to Save Money while Making the Kids Happy!

Guest Post By  Brandi Goodnight

goodnighttobadhabits.com

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Holidays can be hard.

Holidays can be hard, and this year is no exception. In fact, this year may feel harder than in previous years. We want to make our kid's holiday a special one, but our finances may say otherwise. Shopping for the family can be stressful but with a plan, it can be easier.

Is it possible to save money during the Holidays and still make our kids happy? The quick answer is, yes. In many cases, you do not need to spend an arm and a leg to make kids happy. We will discuss multiple ways to save money without sacrificing the Holidays for our kids.

The true meaning of the holidays.

The holidays are a time of family and reflection. Bringing those values back to this time of year will provide love and happiness in the house. Kindness and Joy may be all around us year-round, but now is the time to make it a focal point.

The holidays can be stressful, we become hard on ourselves, expecting everything to be perfect. Our inner perfectionists come out (I am totally guilty of this) and we run ourselves ragged. We need to remind ourselves that sometimes being there is what counts the most.

Holiday shopping for the young kids.

When I was a mom of young kids I was told about want, need, wear, read. This helps keep down on the number of toys the kids will have along with providing different, cheaper options for the holiday season.

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Choosing one item off their holiday list can not only save you money but also let other family members have options as well. I have seen many people use the need option to give their kids a new toothbrush, new sheets, anything the child might be needing at the time.

Something I wear could be those holiday pajamas they open the night before. Finally, something I read, can be a fun way to nudge your kids into loving to read. Find a book that showcases their interests. My sons were really into Minecraft, so I got them those books once upon a time.

 

Holiday shopping for the older kids.

As kids get older, they become more expensive. They want electronics, video games, and Money. You can continue that above strategy, but it was one I stopped once the expensive gifts came into play. There are many ways I figure out their presents.

Sometimes it a matter of saving money through the year or finding the right deal. Black Friday will not always be the best deal. If I do shop during that time, it is all online. Another way is to spread out the buying throughout the year.

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Buying one present a month starting in January can help the feelings it comes with shopping for everyone on your list. Once kids become teenagers, their interests don't change as fast anymore so this strategy is a little easier to pull off. It also makes buying all those electronics a little easier on your wallet.

Other options are gift cards. These allow the older kids to buy the things they want and leave the stress of guessing off your shoulders. My kids love gift cards. If the top of their lists has a big-ticket item, the entire family can pitch in with gift cards and the child can pick out their item that way.

What can you do this year to make shopping easier?

Start with a game plan.

Always starting with a game plan and never falling into the retail deal death trap. This especially goes for Black Friday. The electronics your kids want may be an amazing deal on that day. However, as you walk through the mall, do not be tempted to go into retail stores that do not support your list. You could be tempted to buy something you did not need because of a deal you found in a store.

Coordinate with other family members.

Coordinate with other family members to go in on the big-ticket items. You can also plan less expensive items or fun trips for the kids to help give them more than one gift. Maybe the whole family goes in on the new Xbox Series X, and you plan a trip to the zoo or sledding with your kids. 

You can even tailor those trips to be one on one to make it even more special.

Start Early.

Start next year's shopping in January if you buy for the whole family. Start with parents, siblings, and extended family and friends at the beginning of the year and your kids towards the end.

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Go grab that pen a paper and start planning your holiday shopping with a strategy for gifts, shopping, and family time! Let me know how the holidays are treating you!   LiveLaughLoveHonestly@gmail.com.

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Brandi Goodnight, Freelance Writer

Goodnighttobadhabits.com

 

Guest Author Spotlight
My name is Brandi Goodnight, I am a mother to 3 teens and a wife of 16 years. When I had my oldest I became a SAHM, I went back to work 5 years ago. I have worked and continue to work on improving who I am as a person. I want to share my journey and help others on theirs.

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