Don’t Break the Bank Christmas Shopping CREATE A CHRISTMAS BUDGET!
No. 1 — Make a shopping list. It can be overwhelming to go Black Friday shopping or Christmas shopping when you don’t have a plan. To make things easier, write down who you need to get gifts for, how much you want to spend on each person, and what stores you want to visit. Keep a tally of how much money you’ve spent while shopping to ensure you don’t overspend or forget anyone.
Some of us like to get our Christmas shopping done early; some may even try their luck with Black Friday deals. No matter when you’re planning to get your gift shopping done, it’s best to have a Christmas budget and strategy so you won’t break the bank. How do you create a Christmas budget? Before you walk through the mall or add items to your shopping cart online, you must create a budget. You want to ensure you have enough money to cover your monthly expenses, buy gifts, and have some money left over for sudden or unexpected emergencies. To create your budget, first, write down your monthly income and expenses. After tallying up these totals, subtract your expenses from your income to see how much you have left over. If you’ve been saving money for Christmas gifts, add this total to your remainder. Whatever remains is how much money you have to spend on gifts, but still set some money aside in case of emergencies. You don’t want to spend all of your hard-earned money on gifts!
No. 2 — Use a credit card. If you have a credit card you can easily and quickly pay off, use it while shopping, especially if you have cash-back rewards. Some cards have better return protection than stores. They often offer purchase warranty coverage, and some even provide sale price protection. Look into your credit card provider and see if you have any perks. If you have any questions or concerns about creating a budget or how you can pay for all of your Christmas gifts, call your friends at Captial Advisory Group. We will be happy to assist you and develop a strategy that suits your needs.
Now that your budget is ready to go, you can hit those Black Friday deals. Here are two strategies you can use on your shopping spree.
Achieving financial security and success doesn’t always have an easy answer. Our team at Capital Advisory Group is dedicated to helping you protect your wealth, and while doing so, you may have the following questions: • What are the rules when investing in cryptocurrency? • Should I retire during a high inflationary period? • Which form of investing is best for me — active or passive? • What do I need to know if I’m retiring this year? If you are curious about any of the above questions, please call Capital Advisory Group today at (636) 394-5524! Have Questions? We Have Answers!
Apple Cranberry Crisp
If you’re feeling old-fashioned, treat yourself to this warm and bubbly dish. Nothing says Thanksgiving quite like a classic apple recipe.
Ingredients
• 3 cups peeled and chopped tart apples • 1 1/2 cups cranberries • 3/4 cup packed brown sugar, divided • 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour • 1/3 cup butter, cold • Vanilla ice cream (optional)
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 F. 2. In a large bowl, combine apples, cranberries, 1/4 cup brown sugar, lemon juice, and cinnamon. 3. Grease an 8-inch baking dish and pour the mixture into it. 4. In a small bowl, mix flour and the remaining brown sugar. Cut in cold butter until the mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle this over the fruit. 5. Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. If desired, serve with vanilla ice cream and enjoy!
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Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
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