The holiday season is fast approaching! With the holidays comes christmas parties galore, decorations, gift giving, and so. much. food!

While it’s fun to enjoy everything that comes with the holiday season, it’s also easy to spend uncontrollably. If you’re intentional and wise with your spending, you can stretch your dollar and make it work for you!

Today, I’m sharing a few different ways to stretch your dollar through this years seasonal festivities (without breaking the bank!).

How To Stretch Your Dollar Through This Years Seasonal Festivities

1) Shop Your Pantry!

Are you planning to bake a bunch of cookies this holiday season? Maybe it’s your turn to host Friendsgiving or Christmas are your place this year?

Whatever it may be, before you go out to buy all of your ingredients, shop your pantry before going to the grocery store. What ingredients do you have on hand for meal preparation? Is there anything you already have on hand that you could make something with?

Shopping your pantry will help keep money in your wallet and it’ll also allow you to use everything you have.. just in time for the new year!

Do you have food items that you haven’t used or don’t plan on using? Donate those to a local shelter or create a themed gift basket with a few of the items.

Stretch your dollar and get the most out of your items on hand by scoping out the pantry before spending money on food items!

2) Work A Few Extra Hours!

Retail shops are always looking for extra hands during the holiday season. While other businesses may be winding down for the year, retail is an industry that is picking up! If you’re looking to make a few extra dollars to add to your holiday spending (and have the capacity for it), try picking up a few hours at your favorite store.

Service based jobs such as Uber, Lyft, Instacart or waitressing can help you bring in a lot of cash tips to help beef up that holiday budget. Almost everyone seems to be in a “giving” mood around the holidays, which translates to more money in your pocket!

If you’re looking for something seasonal and temporary, consider working a few hours here and there to help stretch that dollar through the holidays.

3) Ask for Gift Cards or Cash

As I get older, I find that I don’t have a lot of needs or wants. Since we began living on a budget quite a few years ago, I’ve become content with the things that I have.

Now, I always ask for cash (to pay off our mortgage) or gift cards to places like Kwik Trip (gas), Amazon, Starbucks, or our local grocery store.

These gift cards have helped me to purchase groceries for our family, fill up my van, or give me a little coffee pick-me-up when I need it the most (hello, late nights with a teething baby!). My point is that you can stretch your dollar by requesting cash or gift cards to stores you frequent.

It may not save you money during the holiday season, but it can result in savings shortly after.. when your budget may need it the most!

4) Re-Gift

I’m not ashamed to admit I’ve re-gifted things in the past! Especially things that were never opened like a candle, Bath and Body Works lotion set, a picture frame or an outfit that was a little too big for me.

If you received a gift you know you probably won’t use or know someone who might enjoy it more than you, give them away! I’m all for reducing the clutter in my home if I know someone else would benefit more from an item!

Does regifting give you the heebie jeebies? Then give those gifts to charity like Goodwill or a local resale shop during the holiday season. It would be a great way to give to others in need (and to a new home)!

5) Skip The Credit Cards (And Debt!)

Going into debt for all your seasonal festivities is not worth it whatsoever! Especially, if you’re going to put everything on a credit card! It’s never — ever a good idea to go into debt for yourself or for others. Trust me when I say you will feel guilty once the holiday season is over and you’re slowly cleaning up the mess you made for months to come!

Those that care about you wouldn’t want you to go into debt on their account. Why do you feel you need to spend so much to give to others? Remember: spending time with your family and friends is a wonderful gift in itself!

The cost of all your seasonal festivities can add up quickly so I encourage you to do all that you can to stretch your dollars! Start the new year off right without a holiday hangover and a plump wallet!