The holiday season is a wonderful and special time of year yet financially, it can be incredibly stressful. between gifts, décor, travel, and entertaining, you may soon find yourself spending more than you planned. Many end up spending far more than they even imagined possible, turning this wonderful time of year into a financial nightmare. This year, there’s an opportunity to spend in a smart way and start your 2026 debt free and stress free! Watkins & Co is here with some tried-and-true tips on how to save during the holidays and to help you become a savvy holiday shopper. Plus, we’re here to help guide your financial planning and accounting needs all year long.
How to Save on Holiday Spending
By developing a clear plan and instilling the discipline to stick to it, you can take control of your holiday spending and keep your bottom line healthy while still sharing in holiday cheer.
Create a Holiday Spending Budget
It’s important to use a spreadsheet or budgeting app to break down your holiday budget into specific details, assigning limits to every category on your spreadsheet. You may also consider creating a dollar amount for gifts, decorations, entertainment, and travel. When you are listing out gifts, list every person for whom you want to purchase a gift and set a budget for each and every gift. When you are budgeting for parties, entertaining, and other holiday activities, plan out each event and set a limit on how much you will spend on that specific event. In terms of travel, make sure to include gas, flights (including luggage fees and transportation), accommodations, incidentals, meals, hostess gifts, and every other aspect you may need to consider for your travel costs. If you believe it would be helpful, it may be a good idea to create a cash envelope for each category and for each gift. Take only that cash with you when participating in each spending event so that you cannot go over your budget.
Start Early, Plan Ahead, and Look for Deals
One of the most impactful ways to save money during the holidays is to start your shopping early. Ideally, you could be gathering gifts all year long, purchasing as you find the perfect gift for those on your list. If that doesn’t happen, starting early still can help you save. If you strategically time your buying, you can save; it’s always helpful to track prices for major sale events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, pre holiday sales, and other deals you come across. By planning ahead and having an idea of what you are going to spend, you are more readily able to purchase when you see a discount or sale.
Maximize Cash Savings and Credit Card Rewards
The same goes for credit card rewards and discounts; with a little planning, you can maximize credit card rewards by determining which of your credit cards offers discounts on which items and can utilize those savings when holiday shopping. If you’re spending, earning something back helps you save money. You can choose the credit card that offers cash back on retail purchases, points toward your holiday travel, or any other such credit card reward. Important note: This is only a method of saving if you can pay off the balance immediately. Otherwise, the high interest on credit cards will actually end up costing you more. Always avoid charging any gifts, travel, or entertainment to your credit card any time of year unless you are ready to pay it off immediately. Credit card debt can add up quickly, putting you into debt faster than you may imagine.
You can also search for bulk retailers or specialized websites that offer discounted gift cards. For instance, you may purchase a gift card that is valued at $100 but you only pay $85. You can either give these gift cards as your gift or use them to purchase your gifts.
Best CPA Services Near Me
Watkins & Co. has spent decades helping individuals and businesses across Mississippi with financial planning, tax planning, comprehensive tax services, CPA services, and other invaluable financial services. Just as a holiday budget can help you save, partnering with Watkins & Co helps you save on taxes and more, setting you up for long-term financial success.





