With a calendar or day planner in hand (or this handy Yearly Planner I created), take a look at the year ahead and mark down all the birthdays, weddings and other events you’ll have to purchase gifts for.
Decide how much you’d like to spend on each gift, then start putting money away every week so you have enough to pay for your gift when the time comes!
Do you do something like this already? What are your tips for staying on budget with gift giving?
Not everyone has a consistent income and this can create problems when it comes to creating a budget. However, it's definitely not impossible! It's perhaps even more crucial to have a budget in this circumstance.
Here are a few links that I found with tips to create a budget when you have an inconsistent income:
Here's a quick break down of the ideas to help you create a successful budget on an inconsistent income:
Determine your income streams
Develop a monthly average income estimate
Calculate your expenses to create your monthly budget:- Tally your fixed expenses (mortgage, etc)- Tally your variable expenses (electricity, etc)- With your discretionary expenses (clothing, entertainment, etc), come up with fair dollar amounts based on the lowest income month(s).
Any months that you earn more than normal, put that money into savings for the really low income months so you can still pay your expenses; and even put money into an emergency fund.
Do you live on an inconsistent income? I'd love for you to share your tips!
Just wondering if you know of good financial institutions in Canada to bank with that have low or no service charges? Also, do you have any advice on how to close a bank account and not be charged a fee for doing so? Thank you.
Have you got a question that you would love Simply Frugal readers to help answer? Send it my way and I’ll possibly post it as a Reader Question!
The following post is a guest post by Leah! Enjoy!
According to Industry Canada, revenue from cosmetics, beauty supplies and perfume stores, reached 1.4 billion in 2014. It is so easy to get caught up in the latest products and spend money needlessly. Here are a few tips for looking great and saving money!
6 Ways to Save Money on Makeup
1) Simplify your routine. Stick to the basics. Moisturize, apply foundation only where you need it, a little liner, blush and lip gloss and you’re done!
2) Double duty products. You don’t need expensive under eye cream if you have normal to oily skin. Just use your existing moisturizer. Cream blush can double as a lip stain. Use light pink shimmery eye shadow as highlighter for your cheekbones.
3) When purchasing products, check for bonus packs. Most will come with a great basic like black mascara or liner. Get to know where your favorite store keeps their discounted makeup and buy what you need not just because it’s cheap.
4) Get more out of what you already have. Use a lip brush to get the last bit of lipstick out of the tube. Foundation tubes can be cut to access more of the product (store in a sealable bag so it doesn’t dry out). If you buy a lipstick that is the wrong colour don’t throw it out! Be a makeup artist and mix it with other colours you already have for a custom look.
5) Look for inexpensive alternatives for the products you love. I was shocked the last time I had to replace my liquid eye liner. I then decided to give Essence cosmetics at try (you can find them at Shopper’s Drug Mart) their liquid eyeliner is a mere $2.99 and it is amazing. They also have tiny bottles of nail polish for next to nothing. Great if you want to try a new colour without spending a fortune and finding out you hate it. They have a complete line of products so have a look and see what you can discover.
6) Don’t get caught up in the frenzy of a new product. If you know something works well for your skin, stick with it. This is especially true if your skin tends to be sensitive. In the long run you’ll save by not wasting money on products that just end up sitting on the shelf.
We’re all going to buy products we “thought” we were going to use. Yes, I was the one that bought the dry shampoo – oh well! Just remember that above all else you’re beautiful because you’re you – and that is priceless!
Leah Leitch is a mostly stay-at-home mom to two wonderful teens. She loves to write and wonders why people exercise when they can get just as many endorphins from scoring a great deal?
Although this idea isn’t a new one, I really like the idea of giving “want, need, wear and read” gifts each year for Christmas. I think it’s a great idea to not only help keep costs down, but to possible reduce some of the spoiling!
I’m wondering: How do you keep Christmas gift giving in check? Do you?
