Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1539625
12 It's the most wonderful – and expensive – time of the year! Halloween, anksgiving, and Christmas are filled with decorations, gifts, and special get-togethers. How can we gather and give without breaking our budget? e average per-person amount spent on Halloween alone is $108. A month later, anksgiving dinner hosts spend around $430 on food, drinks, and decorations, and the holiday trifecta concludes with an average family spending about $1,000 on Christmas. But you don't have to be the average family! Here are our tips for savoring the season while also saving some money: › Budget wisely. Start by deciding how much you can reasonably spend. en make a list of what you plan to purchase within that amount, and track your spending. Having a plan can keep you from getting carried away! › DIY or recycle. When it comes to Halloween costumes, you can make your own, trade with a friend, or even modify an outfit from the past to create something new. Last year's pink bridesmaid dress could be the start of a Barbie costume! › Share food. Potluck meals make the work and cost easier for everyone. Ask guests to bring a dish to share. Just keep track of everyone's intended contributions to avoid ending up with four Caesar salads. › Draw names. You don't need to buy a gift for everyone. If you're part of a large family or circle of friends, drawing names cuts down on the number of gifts – and the total cost. Also, agree on a modest price limit! › Go homemade. Turn to your talents for gift ideas. Maybe you're good at baking cookies or taking pictures and creating photo albums. You could design coupons that offer your time for tasks like housecleaning or babysitting, or collect recipes that have special meaning to create a cookbook. Bonus tip for next year: Start saving early. Open a Redstone Christmas Club account, where you can set aside money throughout the year and earn dividends. en the funds are automatically transferred to the account of your choice in time for holiday shopping. We all know it's the thought that counts, so why break the bank with expensive purchases? is year, try to focus on the richness of simply spending time with people you care about. SAVING MONEY ON Holiday Thrills and Frills A $1 minimum deposit is required to open a Christmas Club Account. No minimum balance is required to maintain the account or to earn the stated Annual Percentage Yield.