Some Classic Money Management Tips For This Festive Season

2020 has been a challenging year for many on multiple fronts, be it mental, physical, emotional, or financial. With most activities being brought to a standstill due to a nationwide lockdown being imposed for almost 4 months, it is high time to try to get back a semblance of our normal lives (while keeping in mind social distancing, of course). 

With the festive season just around the corner, even the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic should not put a damper on our holiday spirits. With a slew of regional festivals already having started since mid-October, it is the appropriate time to put money matters in perspective, especially in light of the economic difficulties a lot of people may be facing as an aftermath of the pandemic. 

Tips to be kept in mind to make the most of this festive season 

Here are a few tips and tricks you can use to make the most of this festive season without any money woes: 

• Plan your gift list in advance

Most of us usually end up spending a king’s ransom on gifts every festive season. While there is nothing more heartwarming than pampering your near and dear ones with special presents to make them feel loved, a lot of us get carried away while doing so. Think of those long lost friends and distant relatives and the yearly “Diwali ritual” a lot of us may have. Such unnecessary spending can be easily curbed with something as simple as a pen and paper. 

Make a list of people that you want to give something to and possibly also think of a suitable gifting option for them. You can shortlist gifting options based upon your budget, their likings and preferences, and your closeness to them. This helps save not only time, money, and efforts, but the person may get a more thoughtful gift than just another run of the mill dinner set or flower vase. 

• Do not get carried away with festive sales

While browsing various online or brick-and-mortar stores is a great way to pass the time, you are not doing your pocket a huge favor by indulging in retail therapy. With most e-commerce giants like Amazon and Flipkart and every other major brand having festive season sales and their periodic flash sales, it is highly likely that a lot of us will end up buying a lot of things just because “we need gifts” and “it was so cheap that I could not resist”. But the truth is, impulsive buying can really culminate into serious money problems. Therefore, sticking to your gifting list and not giving in to impulsive or panic buys is a wise choice. Or if you really must purchase items, like the latest iPhones for example, remember to grab the right deals!

• Wrap your own gifts

Wrapping your own gifts not only is penny-wise and saves you a lot of money on professional packaging, but it also adds a personalized touch and can have great sentimental value. You can also go green and ditch those regular plastic wrapping sheets, and ribbons for organic paper sheets or even make your own wrapping sheets using old newspapers and other things kept at home and help the environment along the process. 

• Make smarter choices for entertaining guests

While socializing and having those Diwali card parties almost every other night is one of the parts of a festive season a lot of us look forward to the most, it can also be the most financially draining part. With COVID, hosting parties is also highly irresponsible, as they can act as silent spreaders. So, make smarter choices while entertaining guests to save yourselves from money and health woes. For instance, consider online parties that respect social distancing guidelines, and invite-only select people to your homes. Switch to quick home-cooked recipes instead of hiring a professional caterer for your party or simply host a potluck dinner. 

• Use a Money Management App

Since a lot of us may get carried away while gearing up for the festive season, it is important to keep a track of our expenses. A good money management app can help you do just that. Click here to find the list of best money management apps we have especially curated for you to fix the financial fixes. 

• Say no to credit cards

While shopping with a credit card may seem quick and easy, it does you more harm than good. It not only encourages impulsive buys and unnecessary expenditures, but the exorbitant interest rates also put a wrench in proper money management. Therefore, instead of credit cards, stick to cash payments. You can also try using debit cards and UPI/e-Wallets which may offer you some cashback or rewards. 

In case you still have to buy something that you may not currently have cash available for, consider services like a low-interest shopping loan or an easy salary advance from third-party apps like Fibe.  

Parting thoughts 

The festive season is that time of the year when every one of us should sit back and relax and keep all our troubles aside rather than adding to our money woes. So, enjoy this season to the fullest and check out the Fibe website to put an end to all your money troubles! 

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