Clever Housewife

Tips for Saving This Season + Win a $50 Visa Gift Card from Me & BillFloat (1 More Day)

by 149 Comments

 

How many of you are starting to fill the stress and/or strain of the Winter bills and the gift buying? I think I’ve done pretty well so far, but I’m sure some of us are feeling it. Along with a fabulous giveaway of a $50 Visa Gift Card (entry details below), BillFloat has several tips for saving this season, to cut some of our costs.

Holiday Tips for Trimming Not Just the Tree, but Bills Too

The holidays are typically filled with good will and joy for all, but often that comes at a price.  The price tag for presents, a traditional holiday meal and festive parties may not come cheap for many, during a time that is hitting most Americans hard with the current economy.  To this end, BillFloat, the nation’s only bill payment provider to give consumers more time to pay when they need it, offers the following tips on how consumers can maximize their resources this holiday season:

 

  • Don’t Pay the Minimum Balance!  This is an oldie but goodie.  Racking up credit card bills will only hurt you in the long run.  The interest you pay may be more than the original charges.  Pay as much as you can even if it is just a few dollars more than the minimum balance, as it will help you work to trim down that debt over time.

 

  • Invest in Water! A popular fable is about the person who put the amount they normally pay for their Starbucks Latte and invested it and they had thousands of dollars over the years.  To take that one step further, cutting back on the sodas, alcohol and other beverages can equal even more savings.  Water is free and it is better for you in the long run.

 

  • Never Pay Full Price!  Tis the season for deals! The holiday season is filled with discounts, as retailers, restaurants and other merchants compete over every penny they can get.  Look for coupons, discounts and sales, and only buy what is NEEDED vs. WANTED.

 

  • Do the Homework! When making a large purchase and taking out a short-term loan, determining how to use your money by finding the best rate.  Just because a big bank is offering a “convenient” loan, doesn’t mean that there aren’t credible online lenders that have better interest rates and lower fees.

 

  • Get Back to the Spirit of the Season! Instead of going lavish with shows, tons of presents and parties, invest in serving and giving time to others in need this holiday season.  There are many great causes that may be local, and will make this time of year one of the most memorable by helping those in need.

 

  • Turn Up Your Sweater! Lowering the thermostat a few degrees can save hundreds of dollars a year.  It is easy to put on another sweater or blanket and snuggle, while watching TV.

 

  • Look for Free Money! This November and December BillFloat is picking one person every day to pay a bill or unexpected expense up to $50!  Tweet using the hashtag #PlsPayMyBill or directly tweet @BillFloat describing a recent bill, charge, unexpected fee, ticket or payment of any kind, and you could have that bill paid in full for free without having to pay it back.

 

If you aren’t familiar with BillFloat, they help consumers break the cycle of debt. BillFloat has an industry-first business model, which offers consumer-friendly financial products, and empowers customers to pay their bills on time and spend responsibly. With some of the lowest lending rates for short-term loans, BillFloat is creating a new category of services in the financial industry. You can visit the BillFloat website, for more information!

BillFloat will be giving 1 lucky Cleverhousewife.com reader a $50 Visa Gift Card. This giveaway is open to the US only and will end at 11:59pm PST on 12/15/11. To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter form below.
I received a promotional item to facilitate my review.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  4. stephy sumner says

    Id use it for Christmas Presents, I might not be able to buy christmas presents this year because of a tight budget

  8. amber says

    I would use it at Babies R Us which has a great sale on Formula and baby wash (to stack with manufacturers coupons) right now, BUT since it is free money I would stop by Starbucks on the way and get a white mocha with extra whip cream.

  9. Tracy Renko says

    serious I would use itt on my kids christmas as I am out of work and have no income not even unemployment so anything helps…

  22. Lee says

    I’d use it to buy Christmas gifts and baking supplies for the cookies I will bake for our local National Guard detachment.

  26. Christina Adams says

    My husband just got laid off!! BEFORE xmas! Can you believe that! So this would go a looooong way to getting xmas for the kids!!! Thanks for the chance! 🙂

  30. Sonya Neely Blanton says

    I would probably have to say I would pay my water bill with the gift card so it doesn’t get cut off Monday! 🙁 Thanks for the chance!

  35. Courtney B. says

    I would use it to help with my husband’s truck…the shocks are completely out and I don’t want him to wreck!

  40. Tina williams says

    I would like to pay off my son’s traffic ticket as work has been slow at his shop so his pay check will be small

  43. Tisha Mondy says

    I would like to use this toward the toy the WHOLE family wants this year, which is the new Hot Wheels track that attaches to the wall. Oh yeah….How do you say….SUPER COOL!!!????

  44. Laura shepherd says

    I would like to be able to by some gifts for my hubby. we are really tight this year since I’ve only been able to work parttime, but he goes above and beyond to support us.

  47. Meghann says

    I would love to use this gift card for something nice for my mom. I cant really afford to get her anything that great, with this I can make it something better!

  50. Jennie Phelps says

    I would use to to buy a travel beyBlade stadium, and a 5 pack of pokemon balls for my son for Christmas!

  52. pamela mando says

    I’m only working part time (not by choice). That could make cookies, tree and some gifts!

  57. Virmarie Aponte says

    I would use it to buy me some jeans since I just gave birth and still not fit on mines!

  62. Amanda says

    I would use this card to pay down some bills i had when i was out of work for my gall bladder. I have four children and this would help out a lot!

  67. Jayme Hafford says

    I would like to get something nice for my Husband, he works so hard to support our family and never asks for anything.
    He’s a great Husband and an awesome Father to our kids. It would just be nice to do something for him.
    Thanks for the great Giveaways.

  74. Carol W says

    I think i would use this card in the food store. I would love to trim down my food bill for week to almost nothing.Thanks
    carolwegs at gmail dot com

  78. Jacki M says

    I would get something for my parents and my fiance’s parents as they have helped us a lot over this last year and a half.

  82. Darci Fields says

    I’ll probably gift it to my friend. She’s had a rough year and could use it. Thanks for the giveaway!

  85. Cristin Miller says

    either my electric bill thats over due or my gas bill that i got a cut off notice for today:/ im a mommy of two girls ages 2 and 4 not able to work

  86. stephanie miller says

    it would really help for gifts for my family. my husband walked out on us oct 1, im disabled and waiting on my ssi, i have no money to buy gifts! my older daughter has given me some money to buy groceries and gas, but she doesnt have much either, so i cant bother her with it. i just want to get my 14year old daughter some clothes and a hair cut for christmas; this would help a lot, thanks for the opportunity

  88. Ashley H says

    I would probably pay a bill with it..or put gas in the car! thanks!!
    ashleygatewood1(AT)gmail.com

  90. Gina Taylor says

    My husband and I are beginners at stockpiling and just are getting the hang of it. I would love to use that to stockpile on stuff we need and then use some of our stockpile to help some people I know that is in need in our small, jobless community.

    Thank you for the opportunity!

  91. Kristen P says

    I would like you win this giftcard to help pay for some winter clothes for my almost 6 yr old daughter.

  92. Helen says

    I’d use the gift card to take my husband out to dinner for his birthday. We don’t do birthday or Christmas gifts for each other, but at least we do birthday dinners!

  93. Alison F says

    I would use this to help throw my sister a birthday party. She has been stationed far away & is coming home for her bday & Christmas!

  95. Jude Skocki Kelly says

    I would use this gift card to give my daughter a Christmas. We have no money this year so presents are impossible. Here’s hoping <3

  96. Harley Rice says

    I would use the gift card to get my mother a Christmas gift she really want, it’ll at least help out.

  98. Teresa F says

    I would put it into my husbands stocking since we are not buying for each other this year only the kids to surprise him.

  101. Sandy Kelly says

    I would use this to help my family who is having lots of problems this Christmas. I would give it to them to get what they need most; food, presents or other things. It would be such a great present to them. Times are really tough.

  103. Lisa Hayes says

    My husband lost his job i have lost my job…
    My kids are ages 14-11 they are expecting somethin under the christmas tree..
    Ive been looking for work so hasnt my husband i would apperciate it santa if you could help me will u please put something under the tree for my children

  105. Michelle Mattioda says

    i got a bill for the remaining charges for my infant son’s vaccines, 46 dollars, so this would be GREAT!

  111. KANIYA KNIGHT says

    seeing that under our tree is empty I’d like to put something under there for my son’s

  119. Krystal Anderson says

    I would use this to help pay for the repairs that have to be done on our only car. So my husband can get to and from work on base.

  124. meghan stevens says

    Id use it to help out my best friends family get some Christmas gifts for their children! 🙂 Merry christmas

  127. jackie gilbert says

    ty so much for the chance to win! I would spend it on pediasure for my daughter with autism. Its pricey! 🙂 ty

  129. Patricia Brewer says

    It has been an extremely hard year for us, with the loss of two jobs, and many expensive car issues. I would definitely use this card to pay bills! Thanks!

  134. Courtney welch says

    I am expecting my first baby any day now! The money would go towards items I haven’t received yet!! 🙂

  148. Marian says

    Great advice, I am hoping this coming year is going to be good to me financially and I know I need to take that upon myself but as I owe quite a lot of cards and can usually only afford the minimum payment I really worry I am fighting an uphill battle!

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