• Home
  • HER Story
  • HER Blog
  • Contact HER
    • Email
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

pHERsonal finance

Hu$tle Hard. Educate Yourself, Retire Early

8 Simple Ways to Cash Flow Christmas + a free printable

September 23, 2019 by Kayla 8 Comments

*This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclaimer for more information.

Can you believe that Christmas is nearly here!?! This year has gone by so fast. While the most magical time of year is nearly upon us, there’s nothing magical about budgeting for Christmas. I love the holiday season, but it can be a very stressful time financially if you aren’t prepared.

Keep reading if you want to learn how to cross off everyone on your list this holiday season without going into debt. It may even be your first time ever cash flowing Christmas.

Make a list

First things first, you have to know exactly who you plan to purchase gifts for. Do you have a big family and only plan to purchase gifts for the kids? Does your family do a secret Santa? Should you include your friends and coworkers? The amount of people you have to purchase gifts for is the most important step. This helps you set your budget and adjust accordingly.

Create a budget

Remember, a budget is just a spending plan for your money. After you determine who all you plan to give gifts to, figure out a reasonable amount you’d like to spend. Be sure to set a realistic budget, so that you don’t go over. It’s best to have more than enough rather than not enough. I try to spend no more than $20 per child and $50 per adult.

Begin saving early

A year-round savings plan is optimal, but it’s not too late if you’re just getting started. It’s best to start early so that you can have a debt-free holiday season. By saving early, you’re able to save just a little each week and if you see spot something on sale, you can pick it up without it affecting your budget. We have our Christmas savings in our Sofi Money account, but you can opt to save in cash as well.

Get creative

If you’re a great baker or enjoy making crafts, consider using your talents to help keep your budget intact. Many people love homemade gifts. Something as simple as homemade ornaments with a photo of your kids for the grandparents is a great start. You could even start a tradition that they’ll look forward to every year.

Include food + decor costs

Many times, we forget to include the costs of Christmas dinner and any new home decor we plan to add during the season to our holiday budget. Be sure to leave room for these things as well. That way, your normal budget goes untapped and you’re able to still meet your debt payoff and/or savings goals.

Look for free entertainment

Focus on creating memories with your family rather than spending a lot of money. Drive around and look at Christmas lights, drink hot chocolate while watching your favorite holiday movie, or look for free winter activities in your community to enjoy with your family.

Practice contentment

It’s so hard to look at what everyone else is buying around the holidays. Start a gratitude journal to keep yourself from comparing what you have to others. Stuff doesn’t equal happiness. Don’t let others make you feel bad for not shopping excessively trying to have it all.

Utilize cashback apps

Shopping through cashback apps such as Ebates, Ibotta or Dosh is a great way to save money on items you plan to purchase anyway. Who doesn’t love saving money? All three apps are free for you to sign up, and you can save on items purchased at your favorite online stores and even during your weekly grocery runs. Not only will you be able to cross everyone off your list, but you’ll be able to make your budget dollars stretch. Win win!

Grab your free Christmas savings printable

I’ve created a Christmas savings chart to help you keep track of your savings. It’s free for you to download. Just fill out the form below and it’ll be sent directly to your inbox.

Once you’ve printed it out, add your goal at the top and the amount of how much each figure is worth. Color them in as your savings grow to keep track of your progress. Visuals are a way to make savings so much fun.

As of late, we’ve forgotten that Christmas, and the holidays in general, should be about cherishing our time with the people that we love. Not spending our last and going into debt to buy lavish gifts that others may never use. Just because you plan go save money this year, that doesn’t mean you won’t have an enjoyable holiday.

How do you plan to save money this Christmas?

Categories: Budgeting, Debt Freedom, Educate Yourself, Financial Freedom, Financial Independence, Personal Finance Tags: budgeting, debt freedom, save money

the PAST
the FUTURE

Comments

  1. Jen @ Jenron Designs says

    September 24, 2019 at 5:35 pm

    Such a smart post to publish this time of year, it always sneaks up on people. LOL

    Reply
    • phersonalfinance says

      September 25, 2019 at 8:39 am

      Yes, it does. With this reminder, hopefully more people will begin to think about the holiday season sooner rather than later.

      Reply
  2. Krisy says

    September 24, 2019 at 11:20 pm

    Oh my gosh, I need this especially now that I know I WILL be spending tons this Christmas. I love how you incorporated journaling in this! Great post!

    Reply
    • phersonalfinance says

      September 25, 2019 at 8:41 am

      Being grateful and content are two things I’ve worked hard on this year. Journaling definitely helped me!

      Reply
  3. Natalie says

    September 25, 2019 at 2:36 pm

    Ah such a good reminder to start saving NOW for christmas! Thank you for helping me reach my holiday goals! The best gift of all…GIVING 🙂

    Natalie |www.naturallynatalieeng.com

    Reply
    • phersonalfinance says

      September 25, 2019 at 2:40 pm

      Yes, start saving now!

      Reply
  4. Leah says

    October 25, 2019 at 10:37 am

    Great ideas! We have a slush fund set up that we put into each month. Because we save for Christmas all year, it doesn’t have a major impact on our finances.

    Reply
    • phersonalfinance says

      October 25, 2019 at 1:22 pm

      I started doing this in 2018 when we first started our debt-free journey. It made shopping for Christmas much easier and less stressful.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

SEARCH

WELCOME

Kayla

HELLO!

I'm KAYLA

wife. mom.
aspiring minimalist.
Sharing my family's journey towards debt freedom, as well as inspiring others to become debt free and retire early.

The Ultimate Budget Toolkit

Join the Newsletter

Privacy Policy

FOLLOW HER

  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Latest Posts

How to budget for beginners

How I paid off $18K worth of credit card debt in 8 months

6 Benefits of Being Debt Free

10 Ways to trim monthly expenses now

5 ways to begin eliminating debt today

budgetingmommy

▫️Baby step 2
▫️Starting debt | Jun ‘18 | $145,144.69 (minus 🏠)
▫️Current debt | Nov ‘19 | $76,955.96 (⬇️47%)
▫️Aspiring minimalist

Instagram post 2199638329457044240_7939946919 Are you ready?
•
I have just a few more gifts that I plan to pick up this week, and then I'll be done. I usually like to have my shopping complete before December, thanks to my Christmas sinking funds, but I’ve been so indecisive on what to get for the last few people on my list.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#budgetingmommy #kickingdebtwithkayla #debtfreedom #debtfreecommunity #debtfree #budgeting #budgets #debtfreejourney #roadtodebtfreedom #financialfreedom #debtfreeliving #budgetplanning #moneymanagement #daveramsey #ynab #ynabcommunity #youneedabudget #financialindependence #sixfiguredebt
Instagram post 2199213978744055599_7939946919 I'm creating one single financial goal for 2020 and that's to pay off the remaining $37k of student loan debt.
•
Being the money nerd that I am, I created a forecast budget for 2020, which includes all our monthly, quarterly, and annual expenses + fully funding our Christmas & back to school sinking funds.
•
Without accounting for any merit increases, we're projected to put about ~$33k towards student loans. With a $4k deficit, we'll be working hard to make an additional $300/month so that we can meet this goal.
•
Of course, things will come up. This is why having an emergency fund is important. We’re also a month ahead thanks to @youneedabudget
•
You may wonder how I'm able to think we can achieve this especially since our income projection doesn't match. Setting goals BEYOND your current capacity forces you to work harder.
•
I challenge you to push yourself beyond what you're currently capable of in 2020. You'll be surprised what you'll actually achieve.
•
If you’re ready to jumpstart your journey towards financial freedom, click the link 🔗 in my bio to purchase The Ultimate Budget Toolkit to organize your financial goals.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#budgetingmommy #kickingdebtwithkayla #debtfreedom #debtfreecommunity #debtfree #budgeting #budgets #debtfreejourney #roadtodebtfreedom #financialfreedom #debtfreeliving #budgetplanning #moneymanagement #daveramsey #ynab #ynabcommunity #youneedabudget #financialindependence #sixfiguredebt
Instagram post 2198195601011569990_7939946919 It's finally here!
•
I've been teasing this budgeting toolkit for a while, but ”Hello, my name is Kayla and I struggle with perfection.” I wanted to make sure to include everything as possible to help you reach your financial goals. I really appreciate being able to be apart of your journey.
•
I've included screenshots of each page in my stories so be sure to check them before they expire in 24 hours.
•
Also, if you’re new to budgeting, I've created a new post on my blog complete with the steps you need to get started.
•
Let me know what you think. The link to both are in my bio 🔗 Thank you in advance for all the support 🤗 Sale ends 12/31 at midnight! .
.
.
.
.
.
#budgetingmommy #kickingdebtwithkayla #debtfreedom #debtfreecommunity #debtfree #budgeting #budgets #debtfreejourney #roadtodebtfreedom #financialfreedom #debtfreeliving #budgetplanning #moneymanagement #daveramsey #ynab #ynabcommunity #youneedabudget #financialindependence #sixfiguredebt
Instagram post 2197442592556061274_7939946919 Beyond is my word for 2020.
•
Adverb - outside the physical limits or range.
•
2019 taught me how to be content. I learned to simply enjoy each moment and appreciate all that I have. In 2020, I plan to continue strengthening my faith so that I can see things beyond my control and/or current circumstance. Oftentimes I put my capabilities and situations in a box, even though I know that with God there are no boundaries. I am confined only by the walls I build myself.
•
My goal is to learn to look deeper than the surface and discover positives in every situation so that I can extend my skills and mindset to be a blessing to others.
•
What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived - the things God has prepared for those who love him - 1 Corinthians 2:9
•
Do you have a word for 2020? Let me know what it is and why you chose it in the comments below.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#budgetingmommy #kickingdebtwithkayla #debtfreedom #debtfreecommunity #debtfree #budgeting #budgets #debtfreejourney #roadtodebtfreedom #financialfreedom #debtfreeliving #budgetplanning #moneymanagement #daveramsey #ynab #ynabcommunity #youneedabudget #financialindependence #sixfiguredebt
Instagram post 2196652486354251318_7939946919 Happy last days of 2019.
•
As this year (& decade) comes to a close, it's time to prepare for 2020. Reposting affirmations on IG is nice, but that can only take you so far. Over the next few weeks, I challenge you to write out how you want 2020 to look. Writing down your vision not only helps you discover your destiny, but it helps you put action towards it. If you can imagine yourself where you want to be, you'll have more belief in accomplishing your goals. Writing down your vision is key to bring it to life.
•
Over the next few days, I'll be sharing how I envision 2020, including my word of the year, my financial goals (hint: it's only one), and how I plan to expand my business.
•
In the comments below, let me know one thing you plan to do differently in 2020. I'll start: I plan to establish a morning routine so that I will wake up earlier on a daily basis.
•
Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. Habakkuk 2:2
.
.
.
.
.
.
#budgetingmommy #kickingdebtwithkayla #debtfreedom #debtfreecommunity #debtfree #budgeting #budgets #debtfreejourney #roadtodebtfreedom #financialfreedom #debtfreeliving #budgetplanning #moneymanagement #daveramsey #ynab #ynabcommunity #youneedabudget #financialindependence #sixfiguredebt
Instagram post 2190715876483581874_7939946919 Here is an update on the open debt accounts we have. We started this journey in June 2018, and we’ve cleared nearly 50% of our debt in a year and a half 😳
•
The Nelnet student loans and the Chrysler Capital account are my husband's and the MOM IOU Loan (she paid off my student loans so that I would not have to pay all the interest) is mine.
•
Since we had six-figure debt, I looked at it in sections. First, I focused on paying off my credit cards. We became credit card debt free in February 2019. Then, I worked hard to get rid of my car to eliminate the high monthly payment. Now, I'm focused on paying off the student loan debt. Viewing it as a complete picture was overwhelming, stressful and makes me anxious.
•
Our sole focus for 2020 will be to pay off my husband's student loans. We’ll probably hit debt freedom right at the three-year mark in June 2021. Paying off six figures worth of debt in three years is nothing short of amazing.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#budgetingmommy #kickingdebtwithkayla #debtfreedom #debtfreecommunity #debtfree #budgeting #budgets #debtfreejourney #roadtodebtfreedom #financialfreedom #debtfreeliving #budgetplanning #moneymanagement #daveramsey #ynab #ynabcommunity #youneedabudget #financialindependence #sixfiguredebt
Instagram post 2189412687952031853_7939946919 My results from my #NoSpendNovember challenge. I ended the month with 24 no spend days (outside of bills, groceries, gas, and Christmas gifts). This savings helped us pay off my husband’s 2nd student loan.
•
One of my biggest contributors was taking my lunch to work daily (all but one day) and preparing snacks for my daughter when we have activities that’ll put us home late.
•
Practicing contentment has helped me break my impulsive shopping habits so I’m no longer tempted to purchase things on the fly. If I see something I want, I’ll save up for it. By the time I have the money saved, I usually don’t want the item anymore. Making impulse purchases was a huge reason why I had so much credit card debt, but therapy helped me understand what I was trying to hide. Making contentment my word of the year for 2019 really changed my life.
•
If you participated in #NoSpendNovember, how did you do? Did you meet your goal?
.
.
.
.
.
.
#budgetingmommy #kickingdebtwithkayla #debtfreedom #debtfreecommunity #debtfree #budgeting #budgets #debtfreejourney #roadtodebtfreedom #financialfreedom #debtfreeliving #budgetplanning #moneymanagement #daveramsey #ynab #ynabcommunity #youneedabudget #financialindependence #sixfiguredebt
Instagram post 2187933437881402370_7939946919 November numbers are in, and we’ve cleared off over $50k worth of debt this year. Selling my car was a big part of this year’s success.
•
With a successful #NoSpendNovember behind us, we were able to pay off another student loan this month. We have 7 more to go though😩
•
How did November go for you?
.
.
.
.
.
.
#budgetingmommy #kickingdebtwithkayla #debtfreedom #debtfreecommunity #debtfree #budgeting #budgets #debtfreejourney #roadtodebtfreedom #financialfreedom #debtfreeliving #budgetplanning #moneymanagement #daveramsey #ynab #ynabcommunity #youneedabudget #financialindependence #sixfiguredebt
Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2019 · pHERsonal finance· Hello You Designs