6 Steps To Treating Christmas Shopping Like A Military Operation

November 21, 2017

My husband says I treat Christmas shopping like a military operation. And as a proud Army veteran, I can’t really argue. As we gear up for yet another season of decking the halls and letting the wrapping paper fly, here are my tactics to survive the season:

Step 1) Evaluate available resources. In the military, the goal is to win wars. In shopping, it is to not go broke by January 1. Evaluating your resources means understanding exactly how much money you spend on gifts and creating a limit on how much you will spend on Christmas gifts.

Step 2) Triage. In the military, triage is assigning a degree of urgency to wounds. In shopping, it is who is going to get the good presents vs. who will get a $50 gift card. Decide this in advance. Typically children, spouses, and immediately families are first. Everyone else gets a gift card — you can make your life easy by stocking up on a bunch of coffee or restaurant cards, which will make anyone happy. Even coffee haters can find a treat at Starbucks.

Step 3) Have a plan of attack. In the military, this would mean you are going to map out what maneuver you are going to use to surprise the enemy. With Christmas shopping, the enemy are other shoppers ready to take your gifts.

Start early and slowly start buying Christmas gift bags/wrapping paper at the dollar stores (they go quickly) and take advantage of all of the “pre-Black Friday” sales. If you are brave enough to do Black Friday, enjoy. I can’t deal with the craze and I am normally done with my holiday shopping by November.

If you are taking kids, have a bribing strategy because that is the only way you are going to survive shopping with children. My favorite is ice cream at the mall or cake pops at Starbucks. Give stipulations as to what behavior you expect in order for them to get their treats. I know they should behave no matter what, but I need cooperative kids while finding deals and I will use any means necessary, including a sugar rush, to finish shopping.

Step 4) Plan for the unexpected. In the military, you are always told to be prepared for the unexpected. In Christmas shopping, leave room in your budget for that unexpected gift you received, which means you now have to buy a gift — maybe keep a supply of champagne on hand for this purpose (see the next tip for why). Plan for last minute holiday parties and days where you are too tired to cook and want to eat out by leaving some wiggle room in your dining out budget.

Step 5) Know your surroundings. In the military this means you’re constantly surveying your environment for potential threats and escape routes. With gift buying, that means shop around. After you’ve done some looking around and decided what you want, comparison shop for the best prices.

Instead of driving all over town or spending hours on the internet, make use of some specific websites or apps that do all the work for you. Try Pricegrabber, Nextag, or even Google Shopping if searching the web. If you’re at the store and want to compare prices instantly, download the RedLaser app to your smart phone and use it to get a price check against other nearby stores. Then either ask the store to match the price or head to the one with the best deal.

Step 6) Timing is everything. In the military, this means obeying the rules of engagement and knowing when to fire and when to hold. With Christmas shopping, it means understanding that certain times of the year are better than others to make purchases. A study by Lifehacker determined the best time of year to buy everything from Broadway tickets and computers to tools and wedding supplies.

It turns out that December is a great time to buy champagne but a lousy time to buy a gym membership. Who knew?

The bottom line is, with a good battle plan, you can make it through the holidays without going into “sticker shock” in January. Get your strategy set today!

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Don’t Let Black Friday Put You In The Red

November 20, 2017

It’s official. The Holiday shopping season has begun. If you are like me and my family, spending for the holidays is one of the biggest budget busters you will face. Even if you have done a great job controlling your spending up until now (and I hope you have!), the desire to splurge during the holidays is all too real.

To help, I’ve put together some tips on how to manage your spending while keeping that holiday cheer:

Create and execute a detailed budget

I know, it sounds cliche, but it works. Start by breaking your spending down into categories. I suggest:

  • Gifts
  • Décor
  • Entertainment
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Last minute miscellaneous

Then, write down how much you are willing to spend in each category. Consider using a spreadsheet with a separate tab for each category or envelopes – the more detailed the better.

For every person you want to buy a gift for, record their name and the amount of money you want to spend on them. If you feel like it’s “you against the world” when you are budgeting, don’t create your budget in a bubble – include your significant other or a close friend to serve as both a reality check and an accountability partner.

Finally, beware the impulse buy – don’t make any holiday purchases before confirming that it fits in your budget or that it’s already in your plan.

Be careful of Black Friday and Cyber Monday

If you’re planning to be one of the over 154 million consumers expected to make a purchase on Black Friday, this one’s for you. The sales can be great, but don’t buy something unless it is specifically covered by your budget and in your plan. So, if you find that 70-inch TV at 50% off, but the price still exceeds your budget, consider not making the purchase – especially not for yourself.

If you feel like you spend more on yourself than other on Black Friday, you’re not alone. Studies show that 60% of the people who make purchases on Black Friday are “self-gifting.” If you can’t find the perfect sale on Black Friday to fit your budget, don’t worry – you still have about 4 weeks until the end of the holiday season and there will be other sales.

If you fall into the category of feeling obligated to shop on Black Friday because it is a family tradition or you like the rush, consider starting a new tradition such as volunteering in your community. Helping others while sticking to your budget sounds like a win/win situation to me.

Find creative ways to save money

If you are getting nickeled and dimed to death by buying a small gift for several people (teachers, neighbors, not-so-close friends, etc.), think of ways to spend less and still provide a personal gift.

If you are a baker, consider making a huge batch of your favorite cookies or pastries and pass them out (just don’t defeat the purpose by going crazy on cute packaging). A good sweet gift can go a long way toward putting a smile on someone’s face while keeping you on budget.

If you are hosting a family dinner for the holidays, consider baking a lasagna or using a more budget-friendly cut of meat, rather than prime rib, and ask your guests to bring their favorite beverage. You will still be serving a great meal and your guests will have the drink of their choice – that makes for a festive and affordable evening.

Managing your money effectively during the holidays does not mean you have to be a Grinch. Just sit with your accountability partner and write down a realistic budget that will still allow you to enjoy giving to others. Start some new traditions that are fun and affordable, and always remember that spending time with others is more valuable than spending money on others.

Happy holidays!

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