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While holiday season generally doesn’t kick-off until Thanksgiving, it can make financial sense to start thinking about it early.  The more time you give yourself to get your shopping done the more likely you are to spend less overall.  Here’s a couple tips on how to free up some cash for the holidays.

1)      Refinance & Skip a Mortgage Payment – If you have a mortgage rate higher than 4.5%, refinancing may make sense for you.  On top of that, if you refinance now you could skip December or January’s mortgage payment (depending on when you close).  A Home Loan Expert can provide more details.  You could use the money that would normally go toward your mortgage payment on gifts rather than racking up your credit cards.

2)      Start Shopping Now – If you don’t want to fight the lines on Black Friday in order to get the best deals, start doing a little shopping now.  Many stores have already begun preparing for the holiday season by marking down their merchandise.  Make a list and tackle it a little at a time.  You might not be able to get a $100 laptop right now, but you probably won’t lose any limbs either.

3)      Create a Budget & Stick to it – Many people start out with a budget but then somehow it ends up falling apart.  Plan who you are buying for and how much you are willing to spend before you start shopping and stick to it.  Try to come in under budget and reward yourself and the end of the holiday season for all of your hard work.

4)      Remember What’s Important – The best part about the holidays is spending time with friends and family.  The memories that you create each holiday season won’t be about what fancy china was used at the dinner table or who got the most expensive gift.  Enjoy your time with your loved ones.

The holidays are right around the corner, so it’s important to think about these things now.  No one should go into debt just because it’s holiday season.  Sticking to a budget is the best way to save and enjoy the holidays.

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