Save money this holiday season

Spend less this holiday and channel your extra money to tax-free cash isa

13:59 04 February 2014

The holiday season puts everyone on a spending mood.  However, since boons by way of Christmas bonus or cash gifts comes only once a year, it puts one on a quandary if the extra money should be spent to spread Holiday cheers or to savings on cash ISA  and enjoy the benefit of having a tax-free savings. It would be a waste if you just forego your yearly allowance for the tax year because the privilege will be forfeited.

 

As the April 5 deadline comes to a head, saving to maximise your annual cash ISA allowance should be a top priority.  Surely, it would not hurt to cut back on family spending a little bit just to avail of the tax-free ISA limit.  

 

Let us help you still enjoy the holidays while applying spending cut backs through the following:

 

1.Reduce your gift list to a minimum

Your family and friends should come to agreement that exchange gifts will not be happening this year or if you really must, keep the price range of gifts a bit lower.  Since, we always say that Christmas is mostly for children, we can just limit the gift giving to the children.

 

2.Utilise your gift vouchers

This will be the best time to put out all your unused gift vouchers, rewards, credit card points to buy the things that you need.  Basically, the points and the rewards can be used to acquire gifts and groceries that could all be used to give holiday cheers.

 

3.Control your festive mood to avoid purchase bingeing 

Now is the time to cash in your coupons and do not overlook the discounted items that can be found in the supermarket.  We want to feel abundant and cheerful throughout the holidays and often this is translated to buying way too much food that will just eventually go to waste.  Make a list of what you really need to buy without going overboard.