{"id":8863,"date":"2023-11-16T10:15:05","date_gmt":"2023-11-16T15:15:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/solofunds.com\/?p=8863"},"modified":"2025-01-22T12:55:27","modified_gmt":"2025-01-22T17:55:27","slug":"securing-the-bag","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/solofunds.com\/blog\/securing-the-bag\/","title":{"rendered":"Securing the Bag: Your Guide to Wise Holiday Spending"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the holidays approaching and the clock ticking, it’s time for a SoLo-style Holiday countdown. We’re here to share tips to make your holiday season more financially manageable and enjoyable. So, let’s dive into the checklist with a twist.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Set a budget based on what you can afford, not what you want to spend.<\/b><\/p>\n

Before you deck the halls, establish a realistic holiday budget. This year, let’s focus on what you can comfortably afford, not on extravagant spending. It’s a financially responsible way to ensure you have a joyful holiday season without a financial hangover. Plus, it\u2019s the thought that matters, not the price of the gift.<\/span><\/p>\n

To create a budget that fits your holiday needs, check out our <\/span>50\/30\/20 Budgeting Template<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Do a gift wrap, cards + present audit.<\/b><\/p>\n

Check your gift wrap stash, holiday cards, and last year’s leftover presents. You’ll often find that you have more supplies than you thought, saving you both time and money.<\/span><\/p>\n

Need inspiration? Here\u2019s a guide on <\/span>4 Cheap(ish) Gift Wrap Alternatives the Pros Use\u2014and How to Make Them Look Great<\/span><\/a> from the Wirecutter.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Follow social media pages for affordable and free things to do.<\/b><\/p>\n

Your social media platforms are more than just cat videos and memes. Many local businesses and community groups post about affordable or free holiday events and activities. Give them a follow, and keep an eye out for gems.<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>For local event listings, Eventbrite always has a slew of options. Check out their <\/span>holiday events<\/span><\/a> section.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Consider starting now to spread out the costs.<\/b><\/p>\n

Instead of waiting until the last minute, begin your Holiday shopping early. Spreading out the costs can alleviate the financial strain of the holiday season. Your wallet will thank you.<\/span><\/p>\n

For more on why this is beneficial, take a look at NerdWallet\u2019s advice on <\/span>how early shopping saves money<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Make a list and check it twice.<\/b><\/p>\n

Santa isn’t the only one who should be making lists. Note down everyone you need to buy for and stick to it. This will keep your gift-giving focused and prevent impulse purchases. Don’t forget to create a food list for your holiday meals. Having a well-structured list helps you only buy what you truly need.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Organize your holiday bits in one place so they\u2019re visible.<\/b><\/p>\n

The key to keeping your holiday spending in check is organization. Create a designated space for gifts, decorations, and supplies. This way, you’ll see what you have and what you are missing, reducing the chances of unnecessary purchases.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Let’s put the SoLo twist on your holiday preparations this holiday season and keep your bag. \ud83c\udf84\ud83d\udcb0\ud83c\udf81<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

With the holidays approaching and the clock ticking, it’s time for a SoLo-style Holiday countdown. We’re here to share tips to make your holiday season more financially manageable and enjoyable. So, let’s dive into the checklist with a twist.   Set a budget based on what you can afford, not what you want to spend. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"class_list":["post-8863","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/solofunds.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8863","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/solofunds.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/solofunds.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/solofunds.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/solofunds.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8863"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/solofunds.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8863\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8867,"href":"https:\/\/solofunds.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8863\/revisions\/8867"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/solofunds.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8863"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/solofunds.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8863"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}