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It is essential that we stay in control of our finances in order to achieve financial stability, or to ensure its continued growth. But sometimes we lose track of this goal, especially during special events such as festive holidays. Splurging to add to the cheer of the season is always fun and while it’s fine to do so, it’s also important to make sure we stay on track with our finances. Here’s why:
Your expenses during the festive season may double
During this period, you need to juggle both your daily expenses as well as your festive spending. Without an additional budget to fall back on, all the purchases you make during this period could take a strenuous toll on your regular finances as well as your savings.
It’s important to be prepared for emergencies
Resolving the problem of overspending during the festive season is not as easy as doubling your savings in the following months. Anything can happen, and extra finances are necessary to tackle any potential emergency.
When it’s all over, life goes on as usual
Even after the festive period ends, there will still be regular bills and loan repayments to see to. While you will be spending somewhat less than you did during the festivities, your holiday spending could put a dent in what you typically set aside to cover these expenses.
How then can you go about ensuring your financial security, even during festive seasons where your expenses could add up manifold? Here are six best practices to keep in mind to help you prioritise your finances during the festive season:
1. Ask yourself if you really need that upgrade
Come Hari Raya, Chinese New Year or Deepavali, happy moments tend to be a time when people upgrade certain areas of their lives, whether it’s a brand-new MPV to fit their growing family, or repainting the house. This is especially true as some civil servant bonuses are usually timed with these celebrations, leading to a boost in disposable income. It is important to reassess your priorities and consider if these purchases are based on your actual needs or your wants.
The costs for these upgrades are typically very high and could result in you having to fork out extra after the purchase period – such as higher maintenance fees for a new car. At the end of the day, it could very well be unnecessary expenditure that could have been better used to eliminate a small debt or to build your savings.
2. Start saving way ahead of time
Give your expenditure a boost by setting up a separate account specifically for festive season spending. This is so that you won’t risk eating into your main savings. Simply split the regular amount of savings you set aside each month into two different categories: one for personal savings and one for festive spending. While this might mean cutting down on the amount typically put aside in monthly savings, once the festive shopping begins, you will find it prevents you from dipping into your savings pool. This is because you will only be spending from the allocated amount for the festive season. Alternatively, choose to set aside additional monies for the festive season spending account. Pro tip: the earlier you begin, the more you get to spend.
3. Travel smart
Traveling to one’s hometown to be reunited with the extended family for celebrations can be costly, and is especially true for families with children. As the festive season often coincides with a long holiday, it is also peak time for holidaymakers, which often causes travel fares to increase. Early planning helps here. Finalise your travel plans ahead of time for better savings, or carpool if you know someone headed the same way. There are plenty of sites that offer cheaper travel packages or that can help you make price comparisons – be sure to utilise every available resource.
4. Make, not buy, your festive food
More often than not, preparing your own food or tidbits costs less than what you would spend when buying ready-made treats. Using the rising cost of ingredients as an excuse, sellers often hike up prices of festive treats. If you are able to make your own food, you could avoid overspending by purchasing the ingredients at cheaper prices before the festive season hits. And as you get busy preparing your festive snacks and dishes, you can also rope in your loved ones to help out and turn it into a family bonding session.
5. Share the cost of the season
Before you begin stocking up on goodies and decorations, check if friends or family are interested in making joint purchases. Buying in bulk could result in savings on your final cost. Planning this way helps you to be kinder to your finances, and you may even have leftovers from your budget at the end of the spending period.
6. Start your shopping early
This advice is bandied around pretty often but there’s truth in it, which is why it’s so popular. There are various sale periods that happen throughout the year. Take advantage of these sales to stock up in advance, especially on non-perishables. Avoid the festive sales crowd and look out for clearance sales or price drops on things such as decorations or materials for making clothes so that you are able to purchase them quickly and tick them off your “To Buy” list long before the festive season rolls around.
References
http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/community/2017/04/22/drop-in-orders-for-cookies-bakers-say-increase-in-prices-due-to-higher-cost-of-ingredients-the-cause/
http://www.theborneopost.com/2017/01/10/costlier-cny-celebration-this-year-due-to-rising-prices-association-chief/
https://www.timeout.com/kuala-lumpur/food-and-drink/best-caterers-in-kl
https://www.imoney.my/articles/your-raya-grocery-expenses-have-increased-by-about-20-this-year
https://www.comparehero.my/blog/5-ways-save-travel-hari-raya
https://www.akpk.org.my/content/402-money-saving-tips-raya
https://www.gobear.com/my/blog/detail/Top-6-Money-Saving-Tips-This-CNY
The above articles are intended for informational purposes only. AIA accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from reliance on information contained in the articles.
Rainy days, dream holidays, kids' education, retirement - whatever you're saving up, it's important that you have the right plan.
