Wealth Advisor Debbi Tonnies saves there are lots of ways you can Christmas shop without breaking the bank.
Christmas is less than two months away, and Pen Financial Credit Union is offering some tips on how to keep your holiday shopping in check.
Wealth Advisor Debbi Tonnies says it's important to stick to a budget.
"If you write down who you buy for and what you can afford to spend, you can be realistic about what kind of gifts you can afford."
She notes keeping a list of who to shop for can also help you consider why you are buying for certain people.
Tonnies says some ways you can keep costs down include keeping an eye out for sales, consider options like homemade gifts or re-gifting, or doing a secret Santa with your family instead of everyone buying for everybody.
She also says budgeting for Christmas during the year can be helpful.
"Christmas comes every year, so it's considered a regular expense. If you get paid every two weeks, take your Christmas budget, divide it by 26, and put it in a high interest savings account with every paycheck. Make it automatic."
Tonnies also has some tips for anyone considering major purchases like a home as inflation and interest rates continue to rise.
She suggests talking to a financial advisor about creating a plan, and coming up with ways to spend less money, including negotiating a cheaper phone or cable plan, and using grocery fliers to plan meals.
The entire interview can be heard below.
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