Falling into cash advance online debt from doing holiday shopping is not going to help you celebrate. Using short-term loans to pay for gifts beyond normal budgeted means will only cause further problems. The desire to have more than afforded runs deep this time of year. Call it “keeping up with the Joneses” or lack of self-control to purchase everything on “wish list” but there are some ways to help yourself when creating a holiday budget without backlash to finances.
- Make a plan for your holiday spending. The sooner you create it, the better. It is never too late to try to control spending. Break down the shopping list and give each person a limit. Stick to the plan! Shop around for the best deals and avoid impulse purchases that go over the set amount for that person.
- Limit credit card use. When the budget is planned, utilize income to help keep from overspending. If credit is necessary, try to use ones with lower interest. Be careful not to use up all the allotted balance as doing so will reflect negatively on credit reports. Stay clear of using short-term loans like cash advances or payday loans which will have a payoff expected in just a few short weeks.
- Don’t fall into special credit card offer deals. Companies will promote incredible incentives to lure new loan applications. It is a perfect time of year to trap customers into falling further into debt. A good deal is not such a good deal in the long run if it takes years to payoff.
- Layaway programs work well for those working with a strict budget. Pick up the item, the store will hold it until it is paid in full. Make payments towards the purchase with no negative effects on credit. There will be no interest or fees attached to payments. A layaway program gives a consumer the chance to pay over time (ahead of time) instead of using a credit card or a cash advance and pay interest and/or fees for using third party money.
- Get creative with gifts. Purchase a gift card and make something at home to go along with it. Whether baking, card making, or photography is a hobby; utilize talents to spruce up and personalize purchased gifts. These personal gifts are often the ones most treasured.
- Draw names within the family to limit how many gifts need to be purchased. Set a budgeted amount that everyone must follow to keep the fun on the same playing field no matter what income level people are at.
Cash advances do offer fast money.
With so many people in the country looking at hard financial times, overspending unnecessarily is a concern for the majority of the population. Utilize as many options to spend less during the holidays in order to keep the savings from any merchant sales a true savings. Just because there is money available on credit cards or through easy applications for cash advances online for fast cash, it doesn’t make financial sense to use it just because it is there.
