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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Looking for short-term strategies to stay on budget from now through New Year’s. Gifts are done, but we have several meals/dinners coming up—Christmas Eve at home with extended family, big Christmas Day dinner for our household, a big family dinner out on the 26th, plus a birthday dinner outon the 27th. I didn’t post this in finance because I’m not looking for long-term strategies, just practical ways to avoid overspending in the next few weeks. We’re not changing lifestyle basics (subscriptions, etc.), but I’d love ideas for:

Keeping holiday meal costs reasonable

Curbing impulse purchases

Any other small, actionable ways to stay under budget

Thanks! [/quote]

I use a budget app called YNAB and it is perfect for me for curbing impulse shopping.

I break my holiday spending plan into very discrete categories; doesn't mean I can't go over or move money from one category to another, but I do have to think about it a little bit.

I would create your budget for each meal, and keep it parsimonious.  Of course if you are hosting extended family, you have to factor in their expectations. In my family, Christmas Eve dinner was always pretty cheap and simple. Do you also have that tradition? Or do you go all out?

For a budget dinner, consider spending $3-5 per person. All home cooked foods. For a moderately festive dinner, consider budgeting $8-10 per person. Set your budget and just don't overspend. Cook from scratch and keep it simple.

Simply refuse to buy anything extra for decorations or to brighten up the table. Use what you already have; make stuff; borrow from friends and family. Do Not Buy any serving dishes or platters or tablecloths or centerpieces or candles. Set out some ornaments or something.

Big Christmas Day Dinner for your household - is this just your nuclear family?  I would do just one big fancy meal. If you have to go fancy on Christmas Eve, then keep your Christmas Day dinner more frugal. Have *one* fancy thing, and a lot of inexpensive items.

Then you also have a big family dinner out on the 26th? Is this a different side of the family or the same side? For me that would just be too much. (Maybe it is too much for your kids too? Maybe your own Christmas Dinner could just be pizza and movies or something easy like that?)

Do you chip in for this dinner out? Or do you need to treat everyone? Are other people wanting to reduce costs? Can you keep it frugal by going without alcohol? Choose a casual location?

Birthday dinner out again on the 27th... is this for an immediate family member? Is there a different option than going out to dinner, yet again? Sometimes people celebrate without eating a meal... If it is for a brother or sister or inlaw- could just one spouse go and the rest of you stay home?

it's hard to suggest ways to economize because the best way is to just bow out. If big dinners out with family are just how your family celebrates, there's not very much one person can do to change things without upsetting the apple cart. If multiple family members want to reduce costs, though, you could join together and switch things up.

Obviously - no alcohol, no desserts keeps things cheaper.. but only if you are splitting the bill.[/quote]

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