While some of us are in the midst of preparation for Halloween, others are likely already looking forward to Christmas, and the end of year holidays. With Christmas comes long, sunny days spent with family and friends, and even a break from work for some. However, it’s no secret that Christmas can be an expensive time of year, with parties, events, and gift giving. If you want to feel especially organised this year, well ahead of the silly season, we implore you to begin putting in small steps to initiate savings that make a difference, and that will set you up for a wonderful end of year season.
We have put together our top 5 ways to save money so that you can be sure to enjoy Christmas this year!
1. Compare your Bills
Comparing your bills is a powerful way to unlock savings that make a difference. At NZ Compare, we have a range of comparison platforms designed to help you compare broadband, power, mobile, and finance within just minutes, and without bias or hassle. By simply jumping on one of our platforms, and comparing one of your bills, you can find a better deal within minutes, and unlock savings that will make a big difference to your budget. You can use the money you save from comparing to put towards your Christmas savings!
2. Reduce Power Consumption
Our power bills can often be one of the higher bills in our monthly expenses, especially during the colder months. You can save money by reducing the amount of power your household consumes. There are plenty of ways to do this. For example, turn off lights and appliances when you are not using them, including your phone charger! Close the curtains in the evening to trap in the heat, and open them in the morning to absorb the warmth of the day. Clean large appliances such as the filter in your heat pump or declutter your fridge so they can work more efficiently. Click the button below for more ideas on how to save energy!
3. Create a Budget
You can reduce unnecessary spending or know where to make changes by creating a budget. A budget is a great way to keep track of expenses, and your spending. Are there areas in which you spend a lot of money, and could you make changes to reduce that spending? For example, do you often shop online for clothes? Could you go through your closet instead of buying more? Could you swap clothes with friends? If you buy a coffee daily, consider having coffee from home or making use of the work coffee machine.
4. Plan Meals
A great way to save money at the grocery store is by planning your meals for the week. Create a “menu” for the week of meals you will eat. This can be fun because you can browse social media for new yummy recipes, and add comfort meals to the list as well. Next, assess what items you will need to make those meals. Check your pantry, fridge and freezer to see what you already have, before making your grocery list. Then, jump onto a grocery store’s click and collect service to add your groceries to the cart, based on the list of what you need. By planning your meals and shopping in advance, you can avoid blindly adding things to the cart, and ensuring that each item you add has a purpose, so you aren’t buying unnecessary items. You can then use the click and collect to make sure you stick to your list, rather than being tempted by the aisles in store.
5. Choose the Right Savings Account
There are various different savings accounts available. It’s important to compare the different ones, and choose one that aligns best with your goals. Jump on Money Compare to compare savings accounts within minutes, and sign up to one that you like! Be sure to then set up automatic transfers to that savings account so that the funds can grow in the background, without you having to think about it. You’ll also be rewarded with the interest that incurs as you add more money to the account.
