It’s time to deck the halls and get ready in your seasonal best as we’ve finally arrived at the long-awaited holiday season! We can all safely assume that getting here to this point has been much like a marathon through a difficult financial maze.

Getting through the holidays without burning a hole in our pockets may seem like a challenge. We could all do with a few practical steps to stay atop our holiday expenses even with bad credit in tow. After all, it’s the holidays; it’s supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year.

So strap on as we explore a few ideas to navigate through this holiday season, bad credit notwithstanding!

1. Budgeting for the Essentials

Budgeting is an excellent financial tool to save up during hard times. Although the best bad credit payday loan can come to the rescue if you need emergency money, budgeting, in the long run, can help you avoid being dependent on loans.

Similarly, budgeting can also be an absolute pain when it comes to holiday expenses. With the festive season here and the natural charm of the winter taking over the atmosphere, it’s easy to let yourself go overboard.

However, sticking to a doable budget will help streamline expenses while also saving up for the absolute non-negotiables of your holiday celebration.

The trick is to list out the priorities and save up for them first. This is best done a few weeks or months leading up to the holidays so that you can be better prepared. However, if you’re strapped for time too, even saving up on weekly expenses two weeks prior could make a huge difference.

It’s harder to trim off unnecessary expenses during the holidays, as it may seem like nothing is unnecessary during the festive season. Everyone wants their cake with the cherry on top, quite literally and no one’s going to blame you for a little extra.

However, budgeting at this time can help you start the new year on a positive footing with some much-needed savings. This would also give your credit score some room for improvement in the coming year.

2. Meaningful Gifting

A holiday season without gifts is akin to a Christmas tree without its lights. While financial prudence would dictate skipping gifting altogether in tough times, there are better ways to navigate holiday shopping in a financial crunch.

Bad credit doesn’t have to mean saying ‘NO’ to buying gifts, but it does mean we have to exercise caution on extravagant spending. Gifts don’t always have to be of high material costs either and experiences that make life-long memories are just as valuable.

Thankfully, shopping during the holidays is easier than at any other time of the year because of heavily discounted items & a gazillion sales online and in-store. If you haven’t found your perfect gift for your loved ones even after scouting around during major sales, it’s best to rethink your gift idea.

Gifting experiences are equally meaningful gestures. Consider giving your loved ones the gift of your undivided time & attention or acts of service that could ease their holiday burden; you could even offer to set up a family picnic, do a potluck, or play a game of ‘secret santa’! These are cost-effective yet delightfully meaningful experiences that you and your loved ones will absolutely enjoy.

3. Community Resources and Volunteering

Holidays are a great time for communities, as many undertake community-building activities to help the vulnerable. They’re also equipped with a wide variety of resources to assist people during the holidays.

Non-profits and charities often offer holiday assistance in the form of hosting soup kitchens, games, free discount gift cards, and even toys & books for young children.

It’s a great way to be part of a growing community while contributing meaningfully to the welfare of people and families. Consider volunteering with your loved ones for a memorable, impactful experience.

The holidays go beyond the glitzy allure of fancy decorations and gifts. Kindness and compassion towards others are the highlights & lessons of this season, something that will stay with you well past the holidays.

4. Low-Cost Holiday Activities

You’d be spoilt for choice if you’re looking for low-cost holiday activities because there’s plenty! Tree-lighting events are a hit with adults and children alike. The whole countdown and a gathering of the community around the tree to see it light up is a rather lovely experience. You could also look for special free holiday concerts hosted for donation drives or Santa visits at your local mall or shopping centre.

Holiday markets are common at this time of the year. You’ll find most of them hosting local food fairs, making it an ideal time for you and your family to indulge in a wide variety of delicious holiday goods. You could also consider visiting artisan craft stalls & supporting your local artisans!

Conclusion

While it’s always tempting to indulge and be swept away with extravagant gestures, it’s best to remember that the holiday season celebrates the wisdom of the three wise men as much as it is about sharing.

Whether it is joining a group of carollers or setting up a holiday movie marathon at home, you can enjoy a wide array of low-cost, shared, meaningful activities to get through the holidays!