Thanks all. Great ideas! I love the idea of a basket to add food too over the next few shops and not all at once.

We have always had honest and frank discussions with family too about gifts. People do understand when budgets are tighter.

We have always added extra items for Christmas to weekly shops to spread the costs over the year. We stick to a budget when it comes to gifts. We keep food and gifts simple and engage in activities and things that have minimal or no cost.

For Christmas, put aside a crate and put in no. Perishables and over time you will have a stack of food for Christmas/ new year. Buy when on sale doesn’t have to be much but you will find it adds up quick

I think selling unwanted items is always good. Go through and sort toys etc and see if you can sell them. Always worth a try.
We’ve been more conscious of the purchases we are making. Draw up a budget and see where you actually spend your money and where you could cut back.

I always make a list and get things on sale. I love a bargain and it really helps with the budget.

Go to the op shops! There are so many gift ideas and toys for the kids that are in perfect condition. We just bought some Christmas socks that are super cute for the kids for $1 per pair and we’re brand new. So good!

It’s a bit late for this year, but I shop a little at a time all year round when I see things on sale, etc. Then, when Christmas comes, I don’t need to buy much and it doesn’t hurt so much.

Rather than saving money, make some money.
Sell unwanted goods around your home; set aside 1 hour per day to complete online surveys; if you are able to leave your house advertise your services online through your local FB buy sell swap. My friend cleans people’s ovens for cash. It’s surprising how much people will pay because they hate doing it.

We only purchase gifts for children at Xmas which helps. Think about buying second hand, there are bargains to be had at op shops, gumtree and marketplace and your reducing landfill.

Next year, get ahead of Christmas and birthdays in advance by keeping an eye on sales and putting pressies away. Take advantage of stores like TKMaxx after Chrissy when they have cute gift packs on clearance for friends and work mates the next year.
Every year call your energy and gas suppliers to ensure you’re getting the best discount they offer. In Qld at least, your discounted offer runs out annually and unless you call and ask for a better rate you’ll be given the default pricing.
Rethink those direct debits. Do you have a streaming service you can put on pause for a few months and come back to? It’s easy to have 4-5 going at once.
Plan out your grocery shopping each week. What veggies can you buy to use in multiple meals and won’t go sad in the crisper end of the week.

Just a few things that come to mind, would love to see what others do to save some shraps!

I will definitely be buying less gifts and more meaningful ones this Christmas.

I start buying Xmas gifts in April that way I have all year to buy bits and pieces so the cost is spread out.

Keep up to date with the upcoming sales before Christmas. There should be some good bargains. Start buying woollies gift cards where you get 4% off and use these to buy your food shopping. The same with big w. Join a survey app and start making a little extra. I think I have made about $200 this year which really helps. Collect point of grocery apps and save them for Christmas. Online shop as they have lots more bargains. There are so many little ways you can save without having to cut too much.

I highly recommend reading the Barefoot Investor – we found this really helpful. Good luck, I think we’re all feeling the pinch this Christmas.

I think it’s perfectly fine when money is tight to lower your birthday gift- and Christmas gift budget.