Top 5 Ways to Stretch Your Holiday Budget

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SaveWithHopster #CollectiveBias

I can’t believe we are approaching another holiday season! Our weather has been so unseasonal in the Northeast that it feels like Fall is just beginning. Despite the crazy weather, I am ready to bring out the holiday decor, watch all the movies, and create a holiday list and budget! Creating a holiday plan with a budget in mind is an excellent way to purchase everything on your gift-giving list while staying on track financially. There are several ways that I use year round, but pay special attention to during the holidays, to save on purchases and stretch my budget. Listed below are my top 5 favorite ways to budget and save (and even earn!) money.

1. Download a Money Saving App

One super simple way to actually earn money while shopping on everyday items is through a cash-back app. My new favorite is the Hopster Mobile Rebates App. This amazing app helps you save on purchases at any grocery, drug or mass merchandise store. There are several features that set the Hopster Rebates App apart, making it my preferred app. First off, it’s incredibly easy to use. Just open the app and simply check off all applicable rebates from a large selection of brands. Don’t have time to scroll through all of the rebates? Filter them down to exactly what you are looking for, in sections like Health & Beauty, Frozen, Pet Supplies, or Baby. Next, shop at your preferred store – some rebates are available at any retailer! Finally, after collecting all of your rebates, take a photo of the receipt and submit. It doesn’t get more user-friendly or time efficient than this!

Select Your Rebates: There are rebates available on everything from household essentials to baby and pet supplies!

Go Shopping: Head out shopping to your preferred retailer and purchase all of your selected rebate offers!

 Submit your receipt: Take a picture of your receipt to submit and to get your cash back!Another feature I love about the Hopster Mobile Rebates app is that you receive your cash via Paypal right away! There isn’t a long waiting period or required amount of money that needs to be reached. Instead the cash is credited to your Paypal account as soon as the rebates are validated. That means quick funds go towards your holiday gifts or anything you choose! Everything about this app is fast from finding and collecting your rebates to getting paid! Why not start earning cash back on the purchases you already make on a regular basis? Head over here now to download the app! (Hopster Mobile Rebates App is available for download on Google Play or iTunes Apple Store)

2. Research Online

Before you set out to shop for various gifts, research these products online. Search all retailers that sell the specific items you are looking for so you can be sure you are getting the best deal. Additionally, search for any applicable coupons through the retailers site directly or third party sites that offer promo codes. Another thing to research online, especially around the holiday season, is special in-store or online events where you can save even more. If you don’t mind a few extra emails, store newsletters are often your best bet to sneak peeks at upcoming deals as well as exclusive coupons.

3. Create a List and Set Spending Limits

With any large shopping trip (i.e. back to school, birthdays, holidays) I create a list and set a limit of what I can spend. When you have a list of exactly what items you need and know how much money you have allocated for each, temptations are fewer. With a list you know right where you headed within the store so distractions on purchasing other items are minimized. Having a spending limit will also help narrow your choices so you won’t be caught deciding between several items, making your shopping trip more efficient for your budget and your time.

4. Price Match

Many stores now offer a price match guarantee. If you have an ad in hand, and one store is either more convenient or you have a special coupon for that particular retailer, use price matching to your advantage. Price matching also works in your favor if a store is sold out of a specific item at an excellent price point. Just head over to another retailer that offers price match guarantee and grab the same item for the same price!

5. Clean Out Your Closet

Do you have a closet full of items that you don’t use but are still in good condition? Search for local yard sale sites online and sell those items! The holiday season is the busiest shopping season of the year, which means chances are someone on those buying/selling sites is looking for what you are giving up. This is another great way to add to your holiday funds while also making room for any new items you might acquire over the season.