You don’t have to go into debt to cover your holiday expenses. Enjoy a financially stress-free season with these six tips:

1. Create a detailed list of all your expenses

Draw up a list of every holiday expense you anticipate. Include all gifts, décor, travel expenses and donations. Try to keep it as trim as possible by cutting out non-essentials and using stuff you may have in storage from previous years.

2. Determine how much money you can spend

Work on finding a magic number that will cover everything on your list and that you can realistically afford. Ideally, this money should come from funds you’ve set aside just for this purpose.

3. Divide and conquer

Next, assign specific amounts of money in your budget for each expense category and for every person on your gift list. Again, make sure your numbers will work from both a financial and practical perspective.

4. Track as you shop

As you shop, keep careful account of exactly how much money you’ve spent for each person and in each expense category. Review your budget often to make sure you’re staying on track.

To make this job easier, use an app, like Santa’s Bag. It allows you to set a budget for each person on your list and then makes tracking the amount you spend super simple.

5. Shop smartly

Keep your spending to a minimum with these hacks:

• Use shopping apps, like the Coupons App and Shopular, to get your favorite retailers’ best deals and coupons delivered right to your phone.


• Shop online on Tuesday morning. Research shows this time of week is when you’ll find the hottest online deals.


• Shop with a friend. Take advantage of BOGO sales by splitting the cost of a single item with a friend and each of you taking one item home.


• Shop late. Prices actually fall in the weeks leading up to the holidays as retailers get ready to clear out their holiday inventory.

6) Let Matadors Community Credit Union help

Here are three ways MCCU can take the financial stress out of the holiday season:

Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC). We get it. The holidays are crazy-expensive. That’s why if you’re a homeowner in California with equity in your home, you can apply for a MCCU HELOC! With a low fixed 6-month intro rate, and competitive rates thereafter, you can pay for the holidays without breaking the bank.

Personal Loan. If you can’t come up with the funds you need for the holidays, consider taking out a MCCU Personal Loan. You won’t need any equity for this loan, and you can borrow up to $15,000.

Automatic Savings. Have a portion of your paycheck go into a savings account designated for holiday shopping. That way you won’t have to remember to transfer the money, and by the time the holidays arrive, you’re all set!

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