Holiday Gift Giving and How We Handle the Extra Expense
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Chase Ultimate Rewards. All opinions are 100% mine.
It’s only October but I tend to keep the gift-giving season in my mind almost all year long. I love to give gifts during the holidays. I much prefer to give gifts than to receive them. There’s just something special about seeing my daughter’s teacher smile by showing a small token of our appreciation at the end of the year. I probably get the biggest smiles from our mail carrier and our trash collectors. I’ve been known to wait out there just to give them their yearly gift. Our family makes sure to donate a bit more than usual during the holidays too. My kids enjoy seeing other people happy just as I do. It’s a special time but it does come with a cost that I need to be prepared for.
I was asked how I handle the extra expenses for all the gifts we give during the holidays. My first reaction to the question was I just do but then I thought about it a bit more. There is a strategy that has become a habit so I tend not to even think about it anymore. There are two ways that I handle the extra expense of the holidays. First, I use my Chase credit card throughout the year to earn points that I can use to redeem gifts. Chase Ultimate Rewards
is a personalized rewards program available to Chase Freedom, Chase Sapphire and Ink from Chase cardholders. When you use any of these cards, you earn points on every purchase and those points can be redeemed for your choice of rewards including travel, experiences, merchandise, gift cards and even cash back. I personally use my card and build rewards without even thinking about it. I am really good about paying off my expenses at the end of each month too.
The other way I handle the extra expenses of holiday gift giving is to purchase gifts throughout the year at discounted prices. For example, if I know I have a gardener on the list I will purchase garden items such as gloves, shovels etc. when they have been marked down for clearance because of the ending season.
That’s it. That’s all I do to be able to give massive amounts of gifts at the end of the year. My strategy is not too complicated so I tend to forget I have one. Using my Chase Credit card throughout the month to pay all my expenses is the easiest. Buying gifts on clearance takes a bit more strategy and planning. Not to mention keeping everyone out of my gift closet. With the upcoming holiday season, why not find ways to stretch your dollar and save money? For ultimate savings, redeem your credit card rewards when booking holiday travel, shopping for gifts or planning your holiday party!
How do you plan for the extra expense of gift-giving during the holidays? If you’re not using a Chase credit card you may want to visit Chase Ultimate Rewards to learn more.
Chase Ultimate Rewards gives cash back via direct deposit to cardholders starting at $20 for 2,000 points. Merchandise redemptions and gift cards are available at the same prices you’d pay in store without additional mark-ups (i.e. a $50 product/gift card costs 5,000 points).
Chase Ultimate Rewards can also be used for exclusive, VIP access to concerts, sporting events, movie premieres and more. Rewards can also be redeemed for travel on any flight, any time without blackout dates and restrictions.
I would love to hear how you handle the extra expense. Leave a comment below and tell me all about it.
