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Make the most out of your money during the holidays ($300 giveaway ends 12/6/13) #HRBlockEA

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Holiday Budget Stress

Turkey, stuffing, gift wrapping, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, traffic jams, fighting over parking spots, visiting Santa at the mall… Our minds are certainly on a lot of things these days. One thing I can guarantee is probably not first and foremost on your mind right now is something that we all dread – tax time!

Believe it or not the end of the year ins near. No sooner do you pack away the last ornament you’ll have to unpack your purchase receipts and income information. More on that later…

Right now I’m focused on trying to save up every dime I can to buy gifts for my kids. I had money saved up to take them some where special this year, but all that money disappeared in a matter of days thanks to a hefty vet bill and car repairs. Sigh… What I wouldn’t give for some extra cash for the holidays.

Having a limited budget means that I need to be creative when it comes to purchasing holiday gifts.

In years past I have always shopped ahead of time. Whenever I found a great deal I would purchase an item and hide it until Christmas time. That worked great when my kids were little and played with toys. They didn’t care about what was the “hottest toy of the season”. My kids were happy with any toy they received from Santa Christmas morning.

Gifts under the tree

Another thing I did when my kids were little was to shop online at Ebay or a local consignment shop or thrift store for gifts. My kids didn’t care if something wasn’t new or not – it was new to them and that was all that mattered.

You can also pick up gifts for others at thrift shops. You can add your own creative touches to something to give it a whole new life. A new coat of pant and some embellishments can turn something ordinary into the extraordinary. There are plenty of DIY websites and books to provide you with some inspiration.

Speaking of DIY, don’t discount handmade gifts. If you have a talent let it shine and make gifts for those on your holiday shopping list. If you can knit, make sweaters. If you are handy and able to build things, why not make someone a magazine rack or a bookcase. If you are handy with cars maybe you can offer a friend or family member a free oil change that you can do yourself.

Homemade food gifts are always nice. One of my favorites that I give away almost every year is Fireside Coffee. You can find the recipe on my site here. Cookies, cakes, fresh baked breads… these are all great gift ideas that don’t have to break the bank. Another thing to consider is cooking an entire meal for someone special (especially a shut-in or elderly person). A freezer full of pre-made meals would make a fabulous gift.

Fireside Coffee topped with whipped cream and crushed candy canes.

Fireside Coffee topped with whipped cream and crushed candy canes.

Gifts don’t always have to be something tangible that you can hold in your hands. A gift of “time” is also appreciated. Take a friend out to lunch and a movie (your treat!) or simply meet at a local coffee shop and give him/her 100% of your undivided attention, especially someone you don’t get to see or talk to that often.

When my kids were little they liked to make “coupons” for services such as washing the dishes, taking out the dog and doing the laundry. You could spin this same idea for a grown up too. You could offer some coupons for things like mowing the lawn, back massage, doing the dishes and other chores around the house. If I gave my hubby coupons for a free back massage from me he would probably turn in a coupon every day. LOL!

If you think it would work with the recipient you can always give them an IOU for a special gift. For example, our son LOVES New York City and would go there every weekend if possible. We won’t be able to go now, but we can promise to take him someplace he really wants to go when the weather is nicer, like the top of the Empire State Building.

As you can see, with a little creativity you can find ways to stretch your budget a bit and give people special gifts without having to take out a second mortgage to pay for Christmas. Ha Ha.

Whatever you do please don’t put things on your charge card. I think that makes it worse. Sure, you’ll be able to afford all the gifts you want for others for the holiday, but come January 1st you’ll regret that decision when the credit card bills start coming in.

HR-Block-Emerald-Advance

There are other ways to afford the holiday season. Are you familiar with H&R Block’s Emerald Advance® line of credit? With this special line of credit applicants may be eligible for up to $1,000 that can be used NOW, and not have to worry our stress out about jumping through hoops. The application process starts on November 25, 2013, which means you could have a line of  credit available for holiday shopping, holiday travel, meal planning or unexpected expenses that might pop up.

With H&R Block’s Emerald Advance® line of credit you can celebrate more and worry less.

You can start making appointments TODAY. All you need to apply is an unexpired government issued photo ID (such as a driver’s license) and your most recent pay stub (no W2 form required). That’s all you need. And you don’t even have to be an H&R Block client to apply. H&R Block’s Emerald Advance® line of credit is open to everyone as long as you have the required documents (photo ID & recent pay stub). It’s that easy.

With the H&R Block’s Emerald Advance® line of credit you can draw from as you need it. You can use it year-round for unexpected expenses and other short-term credit needs.

For more information or to make an appointment contact your local participating .

You can also check out H&R Block on Facebook and Twitter (@HRBlock). Their official hashtag is #HRBlockEA.

To help you have a wonderful holiday season, H&R Block would like to give a lucky reader a $300 gift card. Thank you H&R Block!

This giveaway is open to US residents only and will end on December 6, 2013 at 11:59 PM (EST). The winner will be chosen at random using a random number generator from all eligible entries. The winner will be notified via e-mail and will have three days to reply or a new winner will be chosen in their place.

To enter please leave a comment on this post and tell me what you think you would do with the $300 if you were the lucky winner – OR – Share a tip on how to save money or stick to your budget during the holiday season.

For extra entries you can use the Rafflecopter widget (below) but you must complete the initial entry requirement or the additional entries won’t qualify (I do check). Extra entries are optional.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Kimberly

*H&R Block has asked me to help promote the Emerald Advance Line of Credit. The prize was provided and may be shipped to the winner by H&R Block, but all opinions expressed in the post are my own and not those of H&R Block. Entrants must be 18 or older and located in the US only. 

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Comments

    • I would use the money to buy my amazing 3 year old autistic son lots and lots of presents for christmas! 🙂

  2. My son is autistic and needs a tablet. I would get the tablet and send the giftcard for school for his CBI trips.

  3. This year, I am “pre-shopping” online, making a list and not deviating from it, and keeping things simple.
    ceriehl at gmail dot com

  4. I would love to win! My older son wants a Surface 2 for christmas. Money is tight here too so we are trying to figure out to pay for it without charging it! This would be awesome!!

  7. I would love to spend it partially on gifts and the rest on holiday decorations. We always borrow those and never seem to get our own.

  8. This would a wonderful joy to win. I know it would be so helpful in purchasing gifts and also groceries this season. To save money during the season I make baked goods and I handmake other items such as scarves.

  10. I always shop around before buying something. I never go for the first deal that I find, I may find it somewhere else that is cheaper.

  13. I would use it for Christmss for my two teens because last and this year has been rouh

  15. I’d use the money for gas as we travel a lot during the holidays

    demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com

  19. If I won this I would spend it on my family for christmas I just lost my job and I still have a lot of family to buy for Xmas

  21. I’d use the money mostly on bills but I’d use a little bit on presents for the holidays – a few small things. Thanks for this giveaway!

  22. I would use the gc to get my kids some Christmas gifts and to have a nice Christmas dinner.

  24. The best way to save money at Christmas is to keep things in perspective and the make the holiday about so much more than presents! Don’t overdo it on the gifts, but turn up the fun and experiences!

  29. My car would love to get some attention and have the whole thing spent on it! My car has kept me safe and been reliable (sad they no longer make Saturns), so planning on returning the love with some much needed maintenance.

  31. My tip for sticking to my budget during the Holiday’s is to shop throughout the year. I buy gifts when I see them and save them until Christmas. I also use coupons. Plus I see what online prices are before I go to the store. Most stores will match online prices.

  44. I would put it towards Christmas! I have 3 little ones. and I love to shop all year round during the sales. that way I don’t blow all our money the last month.

  45. If I won this I would use it for holiday shopping. My husband is the only one working so this would help out a lot.

  49. My daughter will be going away to college next year. If I won $300, I would use it toward her expenses, room and board, etc. Thanks!

  50. I save money by shopping at the farmer’s market for produce. Prices are often half of what they are at the grocery store!

  52. to stick to a budget, we write down all the cash we’ve set out and split it up

  54. We’re very lucky and have worked very hard to be in a position where we don’t have to stick to a tight budget. We’d use the $300 as an investment in my daughter’s college fund

  59. I would use it towards Christmas presents. My tip is to write out a budget for how much you are spending on each person. It is so easy to go crazy and buy too much for somebody and then feel like you have to buy more for somebody else to make it fair and even

  65. $300 would buy at least 3 cords of wood, which would keep our wood stove heat going for at least 8 weeks.

  67. I would use half the money to help buy some groceries for my mom and the other half to pay down some debt.

  68. I am on a fixed income, so this money would really help me buy gifts for my family for Christmas! I would buy my sister, brother and nephew a Christmas present.

  73. I try to save money by purchasing items throughout the year, using coupons and buying things on sale.

  75. To stick to my budget, I go and get just what’s on my list. I remind myself that anything else I see that I’m tempted to buy would just be an impulse buy – and that is what can turn the budget upside down.

  76. I would definately use the extra money to make the christmas a little better for my daughter she lost her job when the government shutdown happened and she just got another one so she won’t be able to provide any christmas for her kids so it is falling on my shoulders and this would help

  79. To stick to your budget, make a list with a dollar amount for each item you want to purchase and research online for the best prices. Don’t go over the amount you budget for.

  85. I make a specific list with prices and stick to my list. I try to avoid the store and temptation to buy something that is a good deal. I shop online and get free shipping.

  86. During the holiday season I try to pay cash for everything so that I stay on budget. I would use the giftcard for Christmas gifts.

  88. I budget for Christmas and the holidays all year long, saving a little in a Christmas club account. I make sure I stick to the budget, pay cash and in addition I also shop all year round, purchasing clearance shoes/boots and clothing in bigger sizes so they will fit my grandsons the next year.

  94. I’d take several of my closest friends out for a nice lunch and buy gas and groceries with the rest

  99. I save money during the holiday season because I buy items on sale all through the year. This saves me from adding to my credit card balance.

  102. If I were the lucky winner, I’d probably use it for moving expenses in order to move my son back home after he finishes college in December.

  107. I would help my daughter if I won this. She is off work because she is having surgery next week and a nice gift would cheer her up.

  113. I would use the money to feed a special group of kids and buy them presents for the holiday season. Doing this would give me great joy.

  122. I would use it for our grocery bill, we spend about 300 every two week for our family so this would really help

  136. I would definitely buy a new cellphone mine has been dropped like a thousand times and is running slow.

  138. I always Christmas shop with a list to make sure I don’t grab a gift for someone I’ve already bought for.

  141. If I was the lucky winner I would use the money to take my family out to a great dinner on New Year’s Eve.

  142. I’d use it to buy Christmas gifts for everyone in the family! I love shopping online and finding great deals!

  148. I use an envelope system. One envelope that I’ve put money in all year is divided into a 1-envelope-per-person batch for shopping.

  156. I would be more than happy to spend this on a friends children that cannot receive very much for Christmas as they struggle big time!

  163. I’m due with our second child just after Christmas, so I’d use it for the inevitable trips to pick up little necessities after she arrives and also for some take-out because I know I won’t feel like cooking!

  165. My answer is probably a very boring answer, but if I won the money I would pay bills. My hubby is laid off work and any extra money is put towards bills. Not a very exciting response but its the facts of life. Thanks for the chance to win!!

  167. I would use it to help pay to get a storm door installed on our front door. And get a quart of front door paint. (yes, they make front door paint especially made not to fade!)

  169. There is an elderly couple that live in my cul-de-sac that have had a difficult year in terms of health and financial catastrophes. They are raising their 6 year old granddaughter after their son passed away from an accident. The girl’s Mother is no where to be found. They aren’t able to physically join us for Thanksgiving dinner, so we will bring it to them, the same for Christmas breakfast and Christmas Dinner. My daughters and I bring home cooked meals over to them 2-3 times a week anyway for the past 2 months. Recently, I found out that their microwave broke, so I would love to be able to purchase a new one for them as well as a few gifts for the Grand daughter.

  170. The GC would just give me an added boost to the Christmas budget…I am a really savvy online shopper, and I’m not afraid to purchase used when appropriate.

  182. I’d definitely use the $300 toward train or airfare to be able to visit my parents over the holidays!

  183. If I were lucky enough to win, I would put the money towards Christmas presents this year. One way I try to stay on budget, is to shop during sales and use online coupon codes.

  204. I cannot afford to buy Christmas for anyone this year. So this would be an awesome prize to win. I would use this money to my loved ones something special from me. If any is leftover, it would go towards the Christmas dinner.

  211. I save money by using coupons and using those coupons when I shop early for the holiday season. I like to have all of my ingredients and presents purchased before the holiday “rush” begins.

  213. I would spend it on my nieces and mother for Christmas. Nothing like seeing your loved ones smile.

  214. I would be able to buy my 3 year old autistic son toys that i normally could never afford, just to see him smile! thanks for the chance.

  215. I would be able to buy my 3 year old autistic son toys that i normally could never afford, just to see him smile! thanks for the chance.

  219. I’m having a microdiscectomy on Friday (back surgery to repair a ruptured disc), so I would probably apply it toward medical bills.

  222. The $300 would help me surprise my wife with a present that I WON’T be questioned about an unknown charge in our bank account. The ability to keep it secret would be wonderful.

  226. i would spend most of it on christmas and take at least a quarter of it and pay a bill.that way we dont get behind through the holidays!

  229. I would love to get some small home improvement projects done around the house with $300. Thanks!

  253. I would use it to pay my Utility Bill and buy some Christmas gifts for my 2 grandsons!

  254. Since we are close to being finished for Christmas I would put the money up for a trip we have to take next June. My daughter plays travel softball and we are having to go out of state for a week for her to play. I would use it for the hotel or food while we are away. Thank you!

  262. I would use the money to do something special for my hubby! Maybe a nice dinner or even a night out! We could really use some time to ourselves!!! Or even take the kids and get away for a weekend!

  272. I would spend this on gifts and groceries. One tip to saving during the holidays for me is to use coupons and shop sales.

  274. I’d use it to get my daughter the Lalaloopsy house she’s been wanting. It’s on sale for $100 at Toys R Us right now! Then I’d use the rest towards groceries to have a nice Christmas dinner.

  288. I would use the money to pay bills!! I’m waiting on a disability hearing and making it in the mean time is a challenge!

  303. I would use it for a few gifts for my 4 kids but mainly on winter clothing for them.They have outgrown everything.

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