Gifts, dinners, family trips, clothes, and other little treats we indulge in during Christmas often leave us with just enough money to start the next year. How can we avoid overspending during this season? Follow these tips!

1. Pay in cash

Set a specific amount for your payments during the last cycle of the year, take out cash, and you will find it easier to calculate how much you have left to reach your spending limit.  

2. Watch out for interest

If you have chosen to pay with a credit card, be sure to check which one would generate the least interest and carefully review your statements. Other tips for saving money at Christmas  

3. Buy gifts in advance

Don’t wait until Christmas Eve or New Year's to make last-minute purchases, as you may not have time to compare prices.  

4. What matters is the intention

When you see that your bonus has run out and you can no longer afford a good gift, you could use your cooking skills to bake some cookies or a cake and give it to that special someone. Or, surprise them with personalized letters. Print your own Christmas cards

5. Write a gift list with your children

 Sit down with your children to make their letter and guide them to ask for toys that you know can fit within Santa's or the Three Wise Men’s budget.

6. Carefully review your list of names to whom you will give gifts

When you belong to a large family, it’s not always possible to give a gift to every member. Create your list prioritizing those closest to you, such as your partner, children, parents, and siblings. Decorate your gifts in an original way

7. Make small changes

 Look at which products or services you could do without. For example, the gym payment for the last month of the year is often one of those expenses that many people regret because they don’t have time to attend, and sometimes it’s non-refundable.  

8. It's not necessary to cover your house with Christmas lights

 Prevent your electricity bill from rising during this season due to the large number of lights you put up. Focus on important areas where they are more visible, such as the living room, stairs, or fireplace. Store your Christmas lights without tangling

9. Apply the famous ‘potluck’ to dinner

Surely you are an excellent hostess and cook wonderfully, but to cut costs, ask your guests to each bring a different dish or their special recipe to your house.

10. Ask someone to pick you up at the airport

 If you are traveling to another city to see your loved ones and spend New Year's with them, it’s better to ask if any family member or friend can pick you up at the airport or bus terminal, as taxi fares are sometimes not the most fair during this time. Treat yourself to these delicious Christmas desserts