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With the holiday season upon us, for most it’s the “Spend More!” time of year. But holidays don’t have to break the bank. Sometimes cutting back on the big budget items is just what is needed to help with the little extras. Here are five simple steps for making your budget a little tighter.

1: Pay Attention to How, When and Why You Shop

Learn all you can about coupons. Take an hour one night a week to clip the latest coupons and look at the weekly store circulars. Combining coupons with store sales can greatly increase your savings. When you find really good deals, go ahead and stockpile items that you use regularly. Even in my small house I have found room for boxes of tissues and deodorant I was able to purchase for next to nothing. As small as those cents seem at the time, they can really add up over the course of a year.

Only buy what you need, and only buy on sale. Watch for sales on big ticket items and search for online coupon codes when purchasing via the internet. A quick search on Google for the name of your item plus the word “sale,” “coupon codes,” or “free shipping codes,” can bring up several sites that list all of the most recent deals being offered by online retailers.

2: Save Dollars by Cutting Cents From Your Calling Costs

It’s difficult to imagine what our lives were like before the internet, cable, cell phones, Tivo, and other technology. But overindulging in communication can send your budget skyrocketing. Instead of automatically opting for premium plans on everything, take a few minutes to explore your options. Package prices often shoot up after an introductory offer that lasts from one to two years, so check your contract and don’t be afraid to ask for a reduction or haggle for a better price.

3: Cut Utility Bills by Unplugging

You can significantly boost your home’s energy efficiency and help reduce utility bills by investing time in weather stripping and insulation. But you can make an even bigger dent by doing something that won’t cost you a penny: completely turn off or unplug your appliances. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that 75 per cent of the electricity used to power home electronics in the average home is consumed while the products are turned off. By unplugging appliances or using a power strip, the appliance doesn’t continue to eat your money after the OFF switch has been flipped.

4: When it Comes to Clothing, Second-Hand Chic Rules

Now is the time to hit your local thrift shops. It’s even in vogue these days! With a little bit of shopping savvy, your entire family can be outfitted in designer duds for bargain basement prices.

You can also find great deals online on eBay and other auction sites. And while you are there, why not put the clothes in your attic up for auction? Clothes that no longer fit your child may be exactly what another parent is looking for to make their own little one happy. You get to pick up a few extra dollars in the process!

5: Entertain at Home

Reevaluate your concept of entertainment. Sure, it’s fun to take the entire family to the movies on Friday night, but it costs a small fortune. Consider moving Family Movie Day to Sunday for a bargain-priced matinee. Or better yet, opt to rent a DVD or two for home and make homemade pizza and fresh popcorn. It’s always more entertaining to be relaxed at home than batting it out for seats.

You should consider eating at home more often, period. As a nation we spend an estimated 44 per cent of our total food budget on dining out. Careful menu planning combined with thrifty grocery shopping can dramatically cut a family’s budget.

Photo by: Zanastardust