Have you started your holiday shopping yet (hopefully)? If you are needing some additional money or looking for ways to save this year, keep reading to find out a few easy ways to keep costs in check from now until the new year.

Only use cash: We’re living in an online world that makes spending money quick, too easy, and through electronic means. If you don’t usually carry cash, this is a friendly reminder that to pay for items – you physically need to shell out the money. This will feel more personal and be a better option if there is a budget you need to stay in line with (which hopefully you made a holiday shopping budget before starting to shop). Using cash is usually enough to make you think twice about what you are buying.

Write everything down: Every time you make a holiday purchase, write it down or save it in a note on your phone. By physically writing down or typing every dollar you use, you’ll quickly realize just how much money you are spending. This also works for non-holiday purchases this time of year. Also jot down other things you are buying (coffee, food, a pack of gum, etc.) for the month to help you realize where you can cut back and what might be unnecessary, impulse purchases. Hopefully this will be a wake-up call to help you cut back on any needless spending.

Layer up: Decreasing your electric or gas bill is another great way to save money this month. Sure, winter is coming in a couple weeks and it may be getting colder – but depending on where you live, your heat may not need to be fully on just yet (or it could at least be lower during the day when no one is home, or at night when you are wrapped up in warm blankets anyway). If the cold doesn’t bother you too much this December, grab a blanket, heavy sweatshirt, and socks – and turn the thermostat down. Dressing in layers can help keep you warmer too.

And there you have it, simple and easy ways to save some money this month!

Article Source: CUInsight.com