Go Christmas Shopping on a Budget!

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This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Chase Ultimate Rewards for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.

Ready, set, go! Black Friday and Cyber Monday are behind us and it’s crunch time! Are you up to the challenge of finding the perfect gifts without breaking the budget? Can you go Christmas Shopping on a Budget? Yes, you can!

Historically, December has always been the month that my budget takes the hardest hit. I was tired of feeling pressured to spend money I really didn’t have. This year I decided it was high time to plan ahead and be able to go Christmas Shopping on a Budget! Believe it or not there are plenty of ways to make Christmas bright and merry without going deep in debt.

Set your budget - Decide before you hit the malls, how much money will be allotted for this year’s Christmas Shopping. Deciding how much you can spend before you start shopping will keep you accountable to yourself and your wallet.
Make a list - (and check it twice) Write down the people you plan to buy gifts for. Is there anyone you can eliminate or combine on the list? Family or group gifts can help reduce the amount of money you are spending.
Do some research - Whether you are shopping online or in-store you can plan ahead to find the best prices. Use apps and price matching to make sure you use your money wisely.
Shop smart - Don’t be tempted to over spend. Using your credit cards as a tool while Christmas shopping on a budget is a smart way to save and earn. Like Chase Ultimate Rewards, available to Chase Freedom, Chase Sapphire and Ink from Chase cardholder and offers extra incentives during the holidays.
Redeem credit card reward points - A great way to go Christmas shopping on a budget is by redeeming credit card reward points. Chase cardholders with Ultimate Rewards can earn cash back or redeem points for gifts, travel, gift cards or experiences. I use my credit card all year long for all of my normal purchases (gas, groceries, online payments), pay off the balance each month and track all of it on my personalized dashboard on UltimateRewards.com. With Ultimate Rewards, points can also be used for exclusive, VIP access to concerts, sporting events, movie premieres and more. Or redeem points for travel on any flight, any time without blackout dates or restrictions.
Shop unconventionally - The big box stores don’t always have the best deals. Second hand stores, flea markets, auctions and local merchants sometimes will be a gold mine of unique and hard to find gifts at great prices.
Plan for next year - Huge sales will start the day after Christmas and last through January. Start planning now for next year’s budget. Pick up gifts at marked down prices, use your credit card with rewards and plan how you will use the cash back to supplement your Christmas shopping on a budget. PS…if you plan far enough ahead, maybe you can use the points you accumulate for a special treat for YOU! (hint hint)