The festive season brings joy, warmth, and a flurry of shopping! In India, we have 5-6 major festivities for which many brands offer incredible discount campaigns yearly. Be it for Christmas, Diwali, Eid, Dussehra, or any other celebration, it’s easy to get caught up in the rift of over-excitement and eventually overspend. 

But…with a bit of pre-planning & ideation, you get to enjoy the festive purchases with bigger discounts. Here’s how to do it…

Set a Budget and Stick to It

Plan Ahead:Prioritize setting a budget and figure out how much money you can spend. This includes gifts, decorations, food, and any other festive expenses if there are any unnecessary items on your list chuck them out. 

Track Your Spending: An easy way to track your spending is to jot down all your expenses on a spreadsheet. This habit will help you not only analyze your spending but also avoid impulse purchases and keep your finances in check.

Shop Early

Avoid Last-Minute Rush: Purchasing ahead of time allows you to find the best deals and reduces the unnecessary stress of searching for everything at the very last minute. Shop early and get hold of the best deals online and offline

Take Advantage of Early Sales: Festive sales begin well in advance, therefore you have plenty of time for your shopping. Take advantage of the discounts at supermarkets and online stores without having to deal with the boisterous crowds

Compare Prices Online

Use Price Comparison Tools: Websites and apps like Honey, PriceGrabber, and Google Shopping can help you find the best deals across various retailers.

Look for Coupons and Cashback Offers: Most of the apps have some offers happening during the festive season. Therefore, always make sure to use the coupon code they provide for a discount. Sites like Rakuten or browser extensions like Honey can help you save extra.

Buy in Bulk for Savings

Consider Bulk Buying: Buying in bulk can be more cost-effective for items like festive decorations, wrapping paper, and non-perishable food.

Split the Cost: Think about sharing the expense with family and friends who might also require the same things, if purchasing in bulk seems too expensive for you or does not work for you if you live with fewer people.

Take Advantage of Loyalty Programs

Use Store Loyalty Cards: Make sure you're enrolled in the loyalty programs of the stores you usually purchase at in order to gain points or receive special discounts. Another way is to use the right credit cards or use digital payments apps that give you extra discounts or cashback on all purchases.

Redeem Points: If you have ever made a purchase through an app or at a store and  have earned points through their loyalty program. Head there for your shopping and get your earned points redeemed to get your purchase price lowered.

The festive season should be a time of excitement and celebration, but it doesn't have to be expensive. Prepare ahead of time, stay organized, and make wise purchasing choices to enjoy the festivities without suffering from a financial hangover. Keep in mind that spending time with loved ones is more important than spending a lot of money during this season. Happy shopping and happy holidays!