It’s the silly season – but that doesn’t mean you should let your money sense go out the window.

Christmas and the summer holidays can be an expensive time, particularly if you’re catering for a large family or trying to entertain bored school kids.

However it is still possible to take a measured approach to your spending, even in this busy time of year.

Here are a few things to think about.

Have a plan

A plan can save a lot of time, money and worry during the silly season.

You might like to have a plan for Christmas presents, so that you know ahead of time what you would like to get each person you will be buying for.

This can help you look out for good prices, and research your options. You could google items you’re considering purchasing, or use a site such as PriceSpy or PriceMe, to check whether they are available at a better price elsewhere. Sometimes it’s possible to ask the retailer for a price match if you spot a better deal.

You might plan out the food you’ll need for the festive season and chip away at it over a few weeks, to spread the cost. The Grocer app allows you to see where things might be cheapest – and you can watch out for specials or shop around to get the best prices.

Having a plan helps to avoid impulse purchases and expensive last-minute dashes to the shops.

Avoid debt

It might be tempting to put Christmas spending on the credit card, rack up the Afterpay or even take out a hire-purchase agreement for a big-ticket item.

However,  it’s really important that you don’t take on more debt than you can cope with.

Buy-now-pay-later can help to smooth the cost of a purchase, but if it just means you end up spending more overall, you may regret it. Credit card debt can be expensive if you don’t clear the amount owing each month.

If you can avoid taking on debt at Christmas, you could head into the new year without a debt hangover and help you start 2025 in a better financial position.

Think outside the box

The holiday season doesn’t have to mean a lot of spending.

You might be able to reduce your costs in a number of ways.

Share the food load: If you’re hosting family, could everyone bring a dish to share? This could reduce the amount that you spend on food.

Are gifts really necessary? You might decide that adult members of your family will each buy for one other adult, in a secret Santa situation, or you might forgo gifts for adults altogether.

Sometimes offering your help to each other can be a better gift than something you’ve hastily purchased to stash under the tree. If you have skills your loved ones would benefit from, that could be a very valuable gift.

Gifts at New Year: If you’re really willing to take a different approach, you could trade gifts at New Year instead of Christmas, to take advantage of the post-Christmas sales.

Scale down your holiday: There are lots of ways that summer holidays can be had on a budget. Department of Conservation campsites can provide an idyllic setting, or you could opt for a house swap to explore another part of the country while maintaining the comforts of home.

Even a staycation can be a good option – look at your local area with fresh eyes by scheduling some touristy excursions.

Disclaimer: Please note that the content provided in this article is intended as an overview and as general information only. While care is taken to ensure accuracy and reliability, the information provided is subject to continuous change and may not reflect current developments or address your situation. Before making any decisions based on the information provided in this article, please use your discretion and seek independent guidance.