Trying to build up your savings pot and move home in 2024?
Whilst the ‘most wonderful time of the year’ is December it can also be the most expensive time too, and this can leave people feeling worried about breaking the bank!
If you’re looking for cheap ways to enjoy the festive period but still have a healthy-looking savings pot, simply use some of our tips below to save in December and bring costs down.
Use a Christmas budget planner
Manage your Christmas spending all in one place with the Microsoft Christmas budget planner. Available to download here, this handy tool will help you track your spend over the festive season and avoid going over your initial budget. To add to this, Microsoft also have a helpful Christmas present list tracker which you can use to avoid spending more than planned this December.
Make the most of finance apps
Whilst those Christmas deals may seem like a bargain you can’t miss out on, use finance apps to avoid dipping into your house savings pot.
We put together 4 of our favourite money saving apps which are designed to help you reach your goals and make things easier for yourself and future. With the help of these apps you’ll be able to set limits, track your spending and build a sizeable savings pot in no time!
Sell your unused items
Have a collection of household items you just don’t use anymore? Sell these items and put what you earn towards your Christmas fund/house deposit. Popular websites include eBay, Amazon and Depop, or for a more traditional way try taking part in a car boot sale near you! Using this approach can help boost your income and help you reach your house goals quicker than expected.
Homemade presents
From sentimental presents to novelty presents, there are a whole range of gifts you can make by hand which will cost almost nothing.
If you have children, perhaps they would like to get involved in a bit of festive cooking and baking. Why not make some edible gifts for the family and deliver some homemade chocolates or cake?
Other ideas include creating a photo scrapbook, personalised mugs, and other goodies perfect for the home or garden. For more inspiration and a whole list of DIY ideas click here.
Cut down on Christmas cards
There’s a few ways you can save money for a deposit quicker when it comes to Christmas cards.
- Joint Christmas Cards -. Send joint cards from the whole household to save some pounds and put that extra cash into your savings instead!
- Get creative - Try creating your own personalised festive cards to make someone’s day this Christmas.
- E-cards - E-cards are a great way to spread Christmas cheer without having to pay the cost of standard delivery.
Things to remember
Although it is easy to get caught up in spending so much money at this time of year, what really makes Christmas is how and who you spend it with – all of which costs nothing.
Using some of the Christmas budget hacks in this guide will ensure you get to embrace the festive spirit but still build a sizable savings pot and get moving home in no time!
On that note, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and happy new year (in your new home)!
Other useful links
For more advice on how to make moving home next year achievable, view our latest articles on simple ways to save money for a deposit and 4 apps to help you save for a deposit.
FAQs
We partner with you to share the cost of buying your own home – you pay for the part you can afford and we’ll pay for the part that’s left. It’s an opportunity to buy the home that’s right for you without needing the large deposit or the mortgage that goes with it.
You buy a share in your home that’s right for you. That could be from 25% up to 75% initially. You’ll pay a reduced rent to us on the share we own and a monthly service charge.
As your finances allow, you can buy further shares in your home as and when you choose, meaning you’ll own more and pay less rent.
Typically, you’ll only need a deposit that is 5% of the value of your share, rather than of the total property value, meaning you could get moving sooner than you thought.