Saving money this Christmas

Christmas is an expensive time for everyone, so it is important that we save cash wherever we can. Here are some effective money-saving tips that will help you out this season:

Look out for store discounts

It has been reported that the UK alone will spend £10 billion pound online this year, so the total for the world is set to be astronomical - and it’s easy to see why. Compared to shopping in store, there are a range of bargains and discounts to be had online.

Before I purchase anything online, I always do a quick search for voucher codes. I simply type the name of the store and ‘discount code’ into a search engine and I can usually find some great discounts. I’ve saved so much money over the years!

Like many other people, I am looking forward to all of the Black Friday savings to be had, although I don’t think I’m quite cut out to battle through the stores. Instead, I’ll be enjoying it online. Amazon have had some pretty great discounts in the past, so I am excited to see what they’ll have to offer this year.

DIY

Shop-bought cards and gifts can be expensive, bumping up your Christmas budgets. While you will inevitably have to fork out for gifts at some point, there are some great DIY options too that could save you some cash.

Not many people send Christmas cards nowadays, but it is a nice touch especially if you are sending them to people who live far away. If you have kids like me, you could get your little ones to hand make a few cards – your friends and relatives will love the personal touch.

I’m tempted to put my computer skills to the test and try a spot of card designing on my PC. The only problem is that our printer is not very good, so I’ll need to invest in a new one before I start designing – there’s no point in having a beautiful card that I can’t send to anyone!

As United Carlton is based in the UK, I know I can’t order from there, but I have been looking on their website to get some ideas on what printer to go for. They’re printing specialists so I know that they will only recommend the best.

As you know, I love to bake and cook. I’ve found this recipe for gingerbread men online. They look delicious and the ingredients will be much cheaper to buy than ready-made ones, plus I’m sure Noah wouldn’t mind giving me a helping hand! I may even dish these out to our friends and family as extra Christmas gifts!

Help me Decide on the Perfect Cocktail Dress

I am definitely a jeans and t-shirt type of girl. Sometimes I get invited to events where my jeans and t-shirts are not acceptable. Then I start on my mission to find a nice cocktail dress to wear.  Honestly, a clothes shopping is not one of my favorite things to do.  I have never really liked it. I remember when my mom and sister would go on shopping trips I would go stay with my grandma. I would just ask my mom and sister to pick out some clothes for me.  I was usually liked the clothes so it worked out for me.  Now that I am an adult, I no longer have that luxury and have to find my own clothes.  I prefer to shop on online because I have an active seven year old that doesn’t like to go shopping.  He doesn’t like going with me to try on clothes.  I don’t blame him, I was the same way.  

I have a few events that I will need a cocktail dress for coming up. So, I have started looking around. I have done the last minute shopping the weekend before and I feel like I had settled because I just don’t have enough time to go to six different stores. When I had to buy dresses for a conference I attended it was awful because I waited until the last minute.  I did the same thing with shoes. I hate those shoes. I wore them once before casting them off as never again.  Now that I have some advance notice I have began my search. It’s not a bad idea to have a few really nice dresses in your closet for the spur of the moment event.  I found a website called Dressfirst and I am really impressed with their selection of dresses.  I am a pretty picky shopper so the variety is awesome.

I really like the SheathSweetheart Short/Mini Chiffon Lace Cocktail Dress. It is great for Florida weather.  I would order it in sage, since that is my favorite color. 

I also really like the EmpireV-neck Short/Mini Chiffon Cocktail Dress With Beading Sequins.  

I am torn, I would like to own them both. Which one should I buy first? I look forward to your thoughts.

Here's to Mom MasterCard Post Holiday Shopping

Now that you have finished your holiday shopping, and spent all your money you will have to figure out a way to buy the necessitates that you need to survive. I know sometimes you can find better deals for some grocery items online. Really, you can buy pretty much anything online.  Remember that you can use your MasterCard to earn a reward for buying those purchases online.  to sign up all you have to do is enroll your MasterCard card, do some of your holiday shopping online and after spending just $200 you receive a $20 MasterCard gift card! Remember that this deal expires on 12/31/2011, so if you haven't already sign up HERE. I look forward to seeing you all in 2012. Have a wonderful and save New Year.

I am participating in this MasterCard Promotion and I received a complimentary special Here’s to Mom kit for my participation. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Shopping With Promo Codes

I do a lot of online shopping. I am a person who loves to shop in her pajamas and have the things I want to buy come to my door. I also love getting a great deal on things. I will look around on a website, and if I find something I want to purchase, I go on a hunt for a coupon code. Promotional codes are great for saving money or getting extra free items with your order. I really like the ones that give me free shipping. Shipping can be very expensive. I can normally find a coupon code for any store, and will sometimes wait to buy something until I have one, depending on what I am looking for.

I am sure you are wondering where to find coupon codes. My sister actually asked me one day recently to work my magic and find her a coupon code for a store she wanted to purchase from. Within a few minutes I sent her 3 different codes to choose from. Recently I came across a site called PromotionCode.Org. I love how they tell you how often it works. You can even submit a coupon code as well. They have coupon codes for Victoria’s Secret, which you all know how much I love that store, Pfaltzgraff, Philosophy and Target, just to name a few. There are coupon codes for everyone. If you can’t find what you are looking for or you want to stay up to date with a certain store’s coupon codes you can have them email you when they add new coupon codes. I am so excited to have a new place to look to save me money. You should check out PromotionCode.Org and sign up for your favorite stores so you can save too.

Do you like to shop online? Do you like to use coupon codes?