While the festive season brings along joy and hope, it isn’t just about that. Holidays are a time to reflect, on our lives, on the year that went by, as well as our carbon footprint. It’s a time to practice sustainability and give back. Having said that, in whichever big or small way we celebrate, the festive season is bound to bring along extra expenses.
How do you plan and manage your finances so money matters don’t kill your festive spirit? How do you secure your near financial future so that celebrations don’t overpower security? Sai Bhosale, a chartered accountant and financial advisor, advises on how to celebrate festivals without going broke.
Draw up a budget and stick to it
It is possible to let our excitement get the best of us and our bank accounts during the festive season. However, one must ensure they zero in on a budget and stick to it. “Decide how much you want to spend for festivals including clothes, jewellery, gifts, home décor etc. Make an item-wise list with a budget for each item. Also, keep some margin in your budget for unexpected spending. Don’t splurge on unnecessary purchases especially when you have budget constraints,” Bhosale advises.
Bhosale points out that starting a festival fund will help you stay within your budget. “It is crucial to building your festival fund so that you don’t have to spend your entire month’s salary during the festivals. Such funds help you set targets for savings towards specific goals,” she says.
Use your credit card cautiously
The festive season will tempt you to spend even when it doesn’t fall in your budget. Using your credit card to purchase things will most likely put you in unfruitful debt and be conducive to overspending.
“Refrain from spending from your credit card when you are aware you will suffer from financial stress post festivals. Track expenses on your credit card to ensure that you don’t overspend. Use reward points or loyalty points on your credit card that are accumulated to reduce your expenses,” Bhosale advises.
However, when you get a good deal, go for it. “You can switch to online deals for certain purchases and compare prices of items on different sites. However, don’t get carried away with deals and make only necessary purchases,” Bhosale points out. It should always be sustainability over a sale.
Plan purchases based on market prices
‘If you plan to buy gold or gold jewellery, buy before the festive season. Prices tend to increase slightly during festivals. Another example could be electronics. Electronics like television, air conditioners or laptops usually have exciting deals during Diwali or New year. One can benefit from such reduced prices on festivals,” Bhosale explains. One can save a huge chunk of money every year by just knowing the best time to shop or invest.
Don’t spend to flaunt
While many of us love hosting festive parties, it may not always be kind to our bank accounts, especially when we are paying for all of it, single-handedly. Instead, make it a BYOB and a potluck event so everyone feels equally involved, and the financial pressure is lifted off you. “Don’t be tempted to buy impressive items during festivals to display wealth and gain admiration. Spend money only on what you need and not on what you want to flaunt,” Bhosale says.