Set a festive budget and stick to it

Before you dive into Christmas shopping, create a clear budget. Created in collaboration with Origin, the free Smart Women Society Christmas Planner spreadsheet is the perfect tool to help plan your spending. It includes tabs for tracking gifts, planning checklists across various festive categories, as well as a handy Christmas budget and spending tracker.

Shop smart

See if you have access to any exclusive offers or discounts through your utility providers – think energy, internet, mobile, etc. For example, Origin customers can take advantage of Origin Rewards and access discounts at some of Australia’s fave retailers – like The Iconic, JB HiFi, The Good Guys and Endota Spa – perfect for snagging Christmas gifts for the whole family without the stress.  

Using price comparison tools and signing up for newsletters – to receive alerts about exclusive promotions from your favourite retailers – are also great ways to save. 

And for stocking stuffers – or some summer holiday fun – Origin Rewards also offers up to 45 per cent off movie tickets and vouchers, including Gold Class and Lux, so you can catch releases like Wicked and Gladiator for less.

Light up your home, not your bills

Christmas decorations are part of the holiday magic, but they can drive up your energy costs. Switch to energy-efficient LED Christmas lights, which use significantly less power than traditional lights and last much longer. Set your lights on a timer to ensure they’re only on during the hours they’ll be enjoyed by your family and guests. For extra savings, consider solar-powered outdoor lights that require no electricity at all. 

Get creative with gifts

Instead of buying a gift for everyone in your circle, organise a Secret Santa to reduce the number of presents you need to buy. For a more personal touch, consider DIY gifts like homemade candles, baked goods, or personalised photo albums. These options are thoughtful, budget-friendly, and show your loved ones that you care.

Energy-saving habits for the holidays

Christmas gatherings often mean more time spent at home, which can increase energy usage. Some simple tweaks can help you save while entertaining and hosting the family.

Keep costs down by:

• Using energy-efficient appliances or opting for no-cook (or air fryer or BBQ friendly) recipes when cooking festive meals. 
• Switching appliances off at the wall when they’re not in use (even standby mode consumes power).
• Setting your air-conditioning to a comfortable but efficient temperature of 23°C during the day. 

Simplify Christmas entertaining

If you’re hosting this year, plan ahead to avoid overspending. Plan out your menu in advance and take advantage of specials in the lead-up to Christmas Day. keep an eye out for specials in the lead-up. Bulk-buy non-perishable items and ask guests to bring a dish to share. This not only spreads the cost but also adds variety to the meal.  

Check your energy plan

The summer break is a great time to audit your energy bills and make sure you’re on the best energy plan for your needs. Taking the time to check your plan could result in significant savings. And while you’re doing life admin, check whether you’re eligible for any concessions or rebates. New year, new energy plan!

For more budgeting tips and tools, follow Smart Women Society on Instagram and TikTok.

The post Clever ways to save this Christmas appeared first on The Origin Blog.