Seven Easy Ways to Save Money During The Holidays
Natasha Herleman • November 8, 2020
Looking for ways to avoid post-holiday debt? This year, take control of your spending with these seven tips.
1. Make A Budget (and Stick To It)
It's easy to get lost in the moment and overspend when buying the perfect gift for a loved one. But not having a budget can quickly take a toll on your pocketbook. Before your shopping trip, determine the amount of money you plan to spend for each person on your list.
As an added tip, consider placing your allotted funds into an envelope rather than using a credit or debit card. Once the envelope is empty, you know you've reached your max budget.
2. Plan Ahead and Avoid Last-Minute
Shopping
Are you a last-minute shopper? If yes, you may be overspending. Start making a list a few months in advance so you can compare price points on products. Plus, you'll avoid grabbing a gift that may be out of your price range because you're short on time.
3. Create Homemade Gifts
Have you recently started a new hobby such as knitting or needlepoint? Or maybe you've perfected your sourdough bread or pizzelle recipe? How about scrapbooking and capturing moments from the past few years? Make your your leisure-time activity into gifts for friends and family. These DIY presents may take a little extra time but they'll be much easier on the wallet.
4. Find Inexpensive Activities
The holidays don't have to be centered around spending money. There are plenty of free or inexpensive activities right at your fingertips. Take a drive around the neighborhood to admire the decorations and lights. Make hot cocoa and watch your favorite holiday movie. Go sledding in a friend's backyard. You may even establish a new tradition or two.
5. Suggest A Potluck Dinner
Preparing a meal for your aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and maybe even a cousin twice removed can get pricey. Try suggesting a potluck meal where everyone brings something; yes, even the paper plates and plasticware. It gives everyone the opportunity to let their culinary skills shine while lessening the burden on your wallet.
If you proceed with this option, remember to keep track of who's making what. You don't want everyone to show up with a dip or dessert. You can even assign the kids to fun activities or games.
6. Use Discount Codes & Cash-Back Apps
Saving money is even easier now with mobile apps and browser extensions including Honey, SnipSnap, Dosh and Rakuten. Be sure to check these platforms before making your next purchase. Don't just limit yourself to retailers; you can also use some of these platforms to save on groceries.
7. Earn Points On Gift Cards
Many grocery stores offer perks or points on all purchases, which means you can also earn rewards when purchasing gift cards.
When it comes to planning for the future, there are few things more meaningful than knowing your legacy will make a lasting impact. At GBU, we’re proud to offer members the tools and resources needed to protect what matters most while also providing meaningful ways to give back.
Since December 2024, donors have contributed an impressive $1,443,000 to
the GBU Foundation, establishing new scholarship, educational grant and
donor-advised charitable funds. These gifts help to shape a brighter future for
students, communities and charitable causes across the country.
Legacy giving, also known as planned giving, is a meaningful way to leave behind an impact on the causes and organizations you care about. By incorporating life insurance and annuities into your estate planning, you can maximize the benefits of your legacy gifts, ensuring they are both impactful and tax efficient.
As we move into the second quarter of another exciting year, I want to take a moment to reflect on our accomplishments and share some of the new initiatives we are implementing in the realms of sales, marketing and community engagement. Over the past year, GBU Life has reached significant milestones thanks to the dedication and hard work of our team and the trust and support of our members. Our sales department has exceeded targets, and we have expanded our reach to more communities than ever before. We have launched several successful marketing campaigns that have not only increased our visibility but have also strengthened our brand's presence in the industry. For this year, our focus will be educating potential new members on the importance of securing their financial futures through life insurance and annuity products while serving their communities as part of our great Society. Looking ahead, we are committed to enhancing our sales strategies to better serve you. We are introducing some tools for our agents to enhance our products. One new tool is our Defined Benefit Annuity program which combines the Future Flex Fixed Index Annuity (FIA) with a software tool that can help determine retirement savings needs and break them down into contributions over time to help you meet your retirement goals. Be sure to keep in touch with your GBU agent to review your plans and products to see how adding an FIA to your retirement planning can help boost your savings efforts
GBU members between the ages of three and nine years old can enter their colored page in this year's contest, which is themed Pawprints on My Heart. Three age categories will be judged as follows: Category I: Ages three and four Category II: Ages five and six Category III: Ages seven, eight and nine Entrants may use crayons, colored pencils, markers or watercolor paints. Entries will be accepted through Monday, August 18, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EST. The picture on the next page can be reproduced, or copies can be obtained by calling the Community Engagement Team at the GBU Home Office (800-765-4428) or by printing the image above. Cash Prizes for Each Category First prize: $75 Second prize: $50 Third prize: $30 How to Enter Send the three- to nine-year-old GBU member's coloring contest entry with their name and address on the colored page to: GBU Life ATTN: Member Benefits 4254 Saw Mill Run Boulevard Pittsburgh, PA 15227-3394. Or email contest@gbu.org with "Coloring Contest Entry” as the subject line. General Information Judges reserve the right to accept or reject any or all entries. Their decisions will be final. Artwork will be handled at the GBU Home Office with the utmost care. GBU reserves the right to reproduce entries for whatever use it wishes, provided proper credit is given. Permission does not include the sale of such work.
GBU has designated four Community Pillars - Wellness, Education, Charitable Giving and Hometown Hero Support - which are a concentrated list of causes that resonate with our values.
Looking for new spots to explore this winter? Check out these three must-visit places for your next adventure.
Details and deadlines surrounding the GBU Foundation scholarship and grants for 2025.
Looking to try some new recipes this winter?
We've found some tips to keep up your sleeve this winter.