Christmas on a Budget

Bluebird Care Wakefield and Kirklees's top tips on managing your finances over Christmas during the Cost-of-Living Crisis.

Christmas is the happiest time of the year for most people, but it's also often the most expensive. Statistics show that the average UK household spends around £500 more in December. As a home care company, we know just how hard the Christmas period is for many. Read on for our top 5 ways to enjoy the magic of Christmas for less.

1 - Priorities

Before you can begin budgeting your expenses, you should be clear on your priorities. You could start by creating a list of everything you want to do - do you have any Christmas traditions to keep? Any family events you can't miss? Make sure you add these to your list. Is there anything on there that you could probably live without? Consider removing them so you can focus your finances on things you desperately want to do and make the most out of them.

 2 – Budget

Once you have your list of priorities, you can begin to budget. Think about what might cost a little more and where you can cut back. Are you going to a Christmas market? Make sure you set yourself a reasonable budget - and stick to it! This way, you won't be cutting into your other budgets.

There are a few ways to ensure you're sticking to your budget. For example, does your online banking app have a budgeting option? If not, there are many apps available for iPhone and Android users - all you have to do is look.

3 - Re-use old decorations

Don't buy new decorations just because it's fun - we know how tempting it can be to go to B&M and spend your whole month's wage on unnecessary bits and bobs just because... Instead, think about what you already have at home from last Christmas. Feel like a different theme? No need to buy new! Try refurbing your old decorations to suit your tastes.

If that doesn't work out, you could try making decorations with everyday objects around the house. There are so many possibilities, from DIY baubles to sheet music angels. Making decorations could also be a fun and cheap Christmas activity for the younger kids.

4 - Plan your meals

Meal preparation is one of the most efficient ways to track your diet and finances. Plan your December meals - including Christmas Dinner - ahead of schedule to ensure you don't spend more money than necessary. By creating a weekly menu before your big shop, you could save over £1,000 a year! Not to mention how much smoother your weekly shop will be if you already know what you need. 

5 - Be energy aware

The biggest struggle worldwide right now is gas and electric prices rising. There are a few ways to cut back on your spending here – you could look into purchasing a slow cooker. Slow cookers are great for making sauce-based dishes, jacket potatoes, meat, and more. They're also very cost-effective - some meals may cost as little as 18p to make using a slow cooker!

What are we doing to help?

At Bluebird Care Wakefield and Kirklees, we always put our team first. In November, we were awarded Employer of the Year at the Wakefield Business Awards for the positive and understanding environment we create for our staff. At a time when almost everyone we meet is struggling to get by, we pay our employees above the minimum wage (£11 an hour, plus double time during bank holidays). We also offer mileage allowances at 30p per mile to help alleviate some of the stresses caused by the rising fuel costs.

As a home care company, we make our team's burdens our burdens. We want to help as much as possible, which is why we've recently implemented a new refer-a-friend scheme through the Care Friends app! Every time a member of staff shares a job vacancy, they get rewarded with points. One Care Friends point is equivalent to one pound! These points can be claimed on request, helping to pay off those Christmas presents early!

Need some extra cash over Christmas? Call 01977 708787 or 01484 907065 to join our team today!