Budgeting for the season

Tis The Season.... Not to be broke- Trina 1CL

It comes around every year like clock work. The season of giving and holiday cheer. To shop to you drop just to see the smiles on the faces of those we care and love. While your shopping the holiday away remember that you want to come home and your lights are still on! Just like the hoilday comes around like clock work so does the bills! They don't go away nor can some of them be put on hold for later. 1stClassLadies want to give you ideas to help you budget so that you can enjoy the shopping season as well as be the responsible adult you are the other 10 months out of the year.

Pay the must bills first. There are some bills like we previous stated that can not be put off for another time and those are what need to be paid before ANYTHING. Rent is not something you want to put off unless you want to bring you christmas tree home and you light that bad boy up outside. Once you have paid the things that can not be delayed make note with the ones you can delay and set up a payment plan for them. Even if its only for two months, it lets the company in which your paying the bill to know you aren't neglecting them and you are making payments. Believe it or not more companies would rather you be up front with them and set up some type of payment plan then to just ignore them. Yo avoid a disconnect fee and whatever else concequences can come of you being a delequent customer.

Write it out and add a price tag. Befoe you do any shopping know how many people your shopping for and give each person a certain amount of money. People who are closer to heart (such immediate family) usually get a bigger budget then others (like co-workers or associates.) If its easier have an idea as to what you want to buy them in the frist place and price around for it. You might find it somewhere cheaper then you budget even consisted of. Knowing what your going to buy and how much its going to run you will make shopping and your spending less stressful.

Don't overspend this season. Yes you want to buy all your friends and family gifts but lets not spend every dime you have doing it. Before you start shopping know how much you want to spend and stick to it! One way of doing that is the way 1stClassLadies JennLo shops which is putting whatever money it is you would like to spend on a prepaid card. There is no overcharging or spending money that was not intended for the christmas shopping. Setting  a shopping budget and sticking to it is the easiest and smartest way to shop. You still want to have money for yourself once the shopping is over.

Only do what your funds allow you to do. Don't go broke trying to buy the world if your pockets don't forsee it happening. If you don't have it then you just don't have. Point. Blank. Period. It's the unfortunate truth for some and you just have to work with what you have. If you don't have a gift for someone it's okay. If they are a true friend or loved one that won't matter to them (to bad this doesn't work for children.)

We hope these ideas help you to shop smart and get all those people on your list what their hearts desire. So make your list check it twice and get the things you want while doing it right!!