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.
Claire says
groceries for the family.
Christine A. says
Agree with Claire, it would used towards holiday groceries.
Stefany Flynn says
I would use this gift card for groceries as well 🙂
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
Jason Sargent says
I would take my kids to the movies 🙂
Dawna says
I need this and would love to win. Thanks for a chance! : )
Jana says
I would use it to buy a new tree skirt! 🙂
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.
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…
dayna k. says
I would use it for gifts!
Tabathia B says
I would use towards Christmas gifts
Amy S says
Dinner out with my husband! He is returning from deployment!
Beth says
Groceries for a wonderful holiday dinner!
Phyllis Adams says
I would use it for a gift for my daughter.
LeAnn says
I would use it to buy a St. Louis Cardinals World Series sweatshirt for my son
Christina says
who knows but it would come in handy.
Minta says
For Christmas.
Thanks for the chance.
Minta
[email protected]
heather miller says
I would use it for christmas.thank you for the chance
Courtney says
I would use this to buy some Christmas gifts for my kids.
Jessie C. says
I’d use it to get winter accessories for myself and family
LS says
I would use it for grcoeries
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.
Kim S says
Towards a new iPad I am saving for!
crystal says
probably gas since that is what I need at the moment 🙂
Elena R. says
A cell phone for my hubby, his Samsung Intercept screen is broken.
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! 🙂
denise sprague says
I would use this toward getting our car repaired!
Amanda Sakovitz says
I would use this for Christmas gifts for my family.
Michelle Thrasher says
I’d use it to help buy Christmas gifts for my 4 kids!
[email protected]
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!
Amethyst Moon says
I’d buy groceries
Kim Goad says
I would use it to buy more yarn so I can finish knitting hats & mittens for my Grandkids.
crystal says
oops forgot to leave my tweet link closed it out too soon! here it is https://twitter.com/#!/crystalclearsav/status/142746923395321858
Kat Petelle says
groceries
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!
Wanda Rountree says
Thank you for the giveaway
Jessica Hurliman says
I did most of my Christmas shopping – but I also have 2 close to Christmas birthdays to shop for, so I’d probably use it for that. 🙂
Stacy says
I would use this towards a cute new pair of boots!
nrdunningATgmailDOtcom
Jessica W. says
I would to have a date night with my hubby: Dinner and movie!
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
Kristine P says
i’d LOVE to use it for christmas of course!
holly weissbrodt says
I would use the gift card to buy Christmas gifts.
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!!!????
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.
Cindy W says
Christmas gifts for 6yo daughter!!!
Denise Cechini says
I would use the gift card for groceries.
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!
Kristen Harris says
Gifts for my kids!
Michelle Smith says
I would use the gift card for…… groceries.
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!
stephanie cassella barrett says
I would save it for our cruise in feb.
pamela mando says
I’m only working part time (not by choice). That could make cookies, tree and some gifts!
Courtney McElroy says
I would use it to buy my son some new jeans. He has hit a killer growth spurt.
Lewann Rice says
I would like to do something for mu daughter for her birthday.
megan says
Maybe take my kids to the movies – we’re too cheap to just pay for them.
kaila says
i would use it for x-mas!!!
Virmarie Aponte says
I would use it to buy me some jeans since I just gave birth and still not fit on mines!
terri m says
i would use this to fill up my gas tank once.
Karin says
clothes
Jennifer says
Would love to use this for a gift for my husband.
Jennifer says
Follow on Facebook
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!
Karen G says
Would use to buy some Christmas gifts
Janice says
they’d be great for groceries and maybe a little splurge 🙂
jamila millery says
I want to use the gift card to buy my daughter some Shake it up clothes from Target.
Sacha Schroeder says
I would use it to share the Christmas love!!! 🙂
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.
Debi says
This would help pay for our Christmas dinner.
Kara G. says
Bday present for my hubby!
Suzy says
I would use the gift card to get Christmas presents!
[email protected]
Mary Happymommy says
I’d like to buy some winter clothes for my daughter.
Anne Loyd says
I would love to use this card to buy Legos for my son for Christmas!
Cindy K says
I would use it to get a much needed massage.
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
lucy sinker says
to help pay for some car repairs that just happened.
Tania Scott says
I would use it to get my kids some winter clothes.
Tricia M says
I would use it to buy something special for my husband!
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.
Maureen Carlson says
a new battery for my laptop
susan Quesenberry says
I would use it to help buy my kids something for christmas.
Renee says
I’d use it to pay for gas.
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!
Alycia E says
I would use it to buy Christmas presents for my family.
chrisB says
I would use it to get gas
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
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
Becky Horn says
I would like to use it to help pay for xmas
[email protected]
Ashley H says
I would probably pay a bill with it..or put gas in the car! thanks!!
ashleygatewood1(AT)gmail.com
britt h says
I would use it to buy gifts
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!
Kristen P says
I would like you win this giftcard to help pay for some winter clothes for my almost 6 yr old daughter.
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!
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!
Caroline Clement says
I would buy a present for my new kitten!
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
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.
Cindy Lillard says
I would love to give it to my parent for their needs. Thanks for the chance to win.
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.
Melissa Lawler says
I would use it to pay for my prescriptions.
Jennifer Speed says
I would use it to take my mom out to dinner.
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.
Linda Heyde says
I would by my grandson more christmas presents.
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
Tammy says
I would use this card to buy me some new shoes, I need them badly.
Michelle Mattioda says
i got a bill for the remaining charges for my infant son’s vaccines, 46 dollars, so this would be GREAT!
Charity Lummel says
I would use as a stocking stuffer for my daughter.
Jessica Hurliman says
I’d use it to buy a router. 🙂
michelle moskal says
Entered
Valerie Carfley says
I would use it to put toward a new camera
Brittanie Blokker-Brandt says
christmas gifts for my son!
KANIYA KNIGHT says
seeing that under our tree is empty I’d like to put something under there for my son’s
Jen C says
I would definitely use this for Christmas shopping!
Hillary Sisk says
I would use it to buy my kids something for Christmas.
Janell Poulette says
I would use it to buy food.
Hope Holland says
Id Use it as a stocking stuffer
Lynda H. says
I would put it toward Christmas presents.
tracy voit says
I would put it toward presents.
Veronica Garrett says
I would put it toward my hubby’s Christmas Xbox 🙂
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.
Jax Leigh says
I’d use it for Christmas for my children.
Jeanette Mays says
I would use this gift to buy myself something after the holidays are over.
Colleen H. says
I would use this to finish up my Christmas shopping!
Lauren R says
I would use it for my eldest son, his little brother and sister get all the cool stuff. lol
meghan stevens says
Id use it to help out my best friends family get some Christmas gifts for their children! 🙂 Merry christmas
Jessie Downey says
I would use it to pay for gas while visiting everyone for Christmas.
Dawn Criswell Schall says
this would help with xmas!!
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
Colleen Schindler says
I would use it to take my cat to the vets. I think she has a UTI
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!
Sally Grubbs says
I would use it for Christmas gifts.
ashley madison says
i soo NEED This! In a tight spot can really use it! 🙂
Kat Griego says
I would use it to take my family out to dinner. We don’t do that often (not since June).
meredith says
for all my late christmas gifts…
Courtney welch says
I am expecting my first baby any day now! The money would go towards items I haven’t received yet!! 🙂
Michelle Harris says
I’d use it to pay for an old medical bill I still have, or Christmas needs.
Nikki Zimmer says
bakeware!!
Tara S says
I would spend it on xmas gifts for my son.
Anna Evans says
I would use the gift card to finish my Christmas shopping!
lisa ballmann says
i would buy all teh stocking stuffers for my family
J Taylor says
I would use it to buy groceries.
Melissa Dealmeida says
I would use it for Christmas!!! XoXo
Jeanette Mays says
I would by myself something nice after the stress of the holidays.
Aleese says
I would use it for groceries.
Sherie says
I’d use it toward Christmas gifts.
ronda says
gifts
Tracy Eastland says
I would use it to get gifts for my children!
Anna F. says
I could sure use this!!! Aawesome giveaway!
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!