30 Ways To Enjoy A Budget Christmas

How To Enjoy Christmas On A Budget
Make Your Own Gifts
What To Avoid

Just when you thought you were doing okay riding out the credit crunch, Christmas looms. Not blowing the budget requires planning, determination... and a little imagination. Here's how.

By Caroline Bloor

1 Shop On A Budget

Make a present list (70% of Brits don't). Pare it down in consultation with friends and family. Consider only buying for the kids or buying one group present per adult in the family. Buy 'family' presents rather than individual gifts. Check your bank balance and decide on your total budget. Divide this up to give you your individual present limit. Stick to it!

2 Stash Away Your Cash

Ideally put your money for spending at Christmas into a separate account.

3 Switch Cards

Switch to a better credit card- preferably one with 0% for several months so you can pay it off before it bites. Also, if you always pay off your cards before interest becomes due, find a cashback card that will give you money back for every pound spent. www.moneysavingexpert.com's Martin Lewis says most people earn £100 to £500 annually.

4 Cash In Your Points

Trade in your loyalty card points not at the store you earned them but, to earn up to four times the value, redeem them as money off vouchers at other retailers.

5 Compare Prices Online

Start by browsing online to get ideas of what fits in your budget. Use a 'shopbot' such as Kelkoo, Pricerunner and Shopping to compare prices. There are many specialist sites too (ie, for electronics www.ciao.co.uk, www.dabs.com and www.misco.co.uk).

6 Shop Online For Better Deals

The internet will always be cheaper than the high street (a third of us plan to do most of our present shopping online this year) but, even if you don't want to buy online, some high street retailers will match their own or competitors' internet prices.