company and your neighborhood watch group of your absence. In the long run, these will prove to be worthwhile investments. Review your short-term policy and know the terms of the insurance and about any help that you might need on the road or to protect your valuables at home. 3. Leave the wallet at home The temptation to shop impulsively will be at a high with all the commercialisation of this season by retailers and everyone’s expectations of you to spend money. We are all prone to personal risk of impulsive shopping. Ensure that you have a list of items you need before venturing into the stores to do your grocery shopping. Leave your wallet and extra cash at home and only take the store card or cash you need for that shopping. 4. Remember to be generous Yes, you have spent
most of the year giving yourself to work and other activities, be generous to those closest to you without breaking the bank. Make memories without breaking the bank. Take the children out to the park for a day, let them run around away from the madding crowd. Look for fun activities around the house that will not bore the kids. Make homemade popsicles, homemade crafts that they can take pictures of and be proud of. This will leave you with a little more disposable income in your pocket. 5. Invest in the future Set aside a percentage of your holiday expenses as emergency funds for the first month of 2017. Reduce the stress of not having sufficient cash on hand and use those for emergencies. Quantify what you will need exactly for necessary debts such as car, bond, policies, etc. You will begin the year on a continued merry note if you stay true to your obligations. Let’s’ face it, no one
wants creditors calling them for unpaid debts at the beginning of the year. A side note: inform family members where you are going and the contact numbers of that place to. Let your family member know that you have medical aid with which company and also nominate at least two people as emergency contacts and give their details as well as your medical aid details to the reception at the place where you are going to be staying. This will ease stress in case of an emergency. Your family; the place of accommodation and your medical aid will be on hand ready to assist and making the minimal calls for help I hope that the little insight into festive savings will encourage you to be more decisive in your spending habits and make the necessary, even if small changes in your habits for long term peace of mind.
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