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Keep Your Holiday Cheer: Avoid Letting Financial Concerns Dampen Your Holiday Spirit
We all love the holiday season, but there's no doubt that it's one of the busiest times of the year. Between shopping, traveling, and preparing for the big day, things can get hectic. Here are some helpful tips for managing two of the biggest holiday stressors: money and time.
Get organized and make a budget
It’s simple, but true: the best way to avoid overspending is by making a budget and sticking to it. Take a look at what you spent last year on gifts, entertainment, meals, and travel. Next, list all the purchases you plan to make this year and estimate how much you can afford to spend in each category. Don’t forget the extra expenses that pop up during the season, such as a new party outfit and the larger-than-usual menus for holiday meals. Digital organizing tools such as a holiday budget calculator are great ways to help you get organized, plan your budget, and set spending limits.
Manage your gift list on your smartphone
Smartphone apps such as The Christmas List and Santa's Bag for iPhone and Christmas Gift List for Android phones can help you create and manage your shopping list, share it, and track your spending. Managing your list on your smartphone is a great way to keep it handy so you can take advantage of any bargains you might come across. Keep in mind that waiting until the last minute to shop can be stressful – and expensive.
Do online research
Not sure which tablet device or bicycle to buy? Get the low-down by conducting your research online. Most popular retail websites such as Amazon.com and Walmart.com have user reviews and ratings. You can also subscribe to ConsumerReports.org and find expert reviews on nearly everything under the sun. Once you decide what to purchase, find the best price online by using web sites like Google Shopping or Pricegrabber.
Don't forget about your rewards points
How often do you redeem rewards points? If you have a rewards credit card, consider using your accumulated points to help pay for gifts or travel. Hancock and Whitney Bank Visa Platinum Points Plus Rewards cardholders earn one point for every dollar spent, and points can be redeemed for cash back, airfare and hotels, exclusive merchandise, and more.
Time-saving financial tools
We’re all pressed for time during the holidays, but banking doesn’t have to slow you down. We've recently upgraded our online and mobile banking services to make banking easier and more convenient than ever. Set up online bill pay, transfer funds, manage your accounts, including your Hancock or Whitney Visa® credit card, and view your monthly statement on your computer or phone. Our improved mobile app lets you log in quickly and securely with Touch ID to manage accounts, pay bills, schedule transfers, and deposit checks with mobile check deposit. You can also set up Apple Pay™ on your eligible Apple device for convenient payments at stores nationwide.
Start saving now for next year
Many banks offer Christmas Club or Holiday Club savings accounts that allow you to automatically contribute weekly or monthly and save the cash you need for the holidays. You can open a Christmas Club account with just a $5 deposit, and account proceeds are distributed in early November.
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Enjoy yourself!
Remember, in the end, the holidays are all about spending time with your family and friends. We hope these ideas will give you more time to have fun and create happy memories with your loved ones – without worrying about a post-holiday financial headache.
Want to learn more about these and other banking services? Stop by and talk with one of our bankers or call us at 1-800-448-8812. And subscribe to Insights to receive notifications about future blogs with more helpful tips to save you time and money.
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