How to survive a holiday recession

Alex Sangha

Posted: Dec 22nd, 2010

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Many of us are finding our wallets a little thinner this holiday season. To avoid debt and get the most out of the holiday season, here are my tips for stress-free budgeting.

1. Housing - Move back home or find a roommate.

2. Employment - Create your own job by developing a program for a non-profit and applying to foundations, corporations and government departments for funding.

3. Communications - Cancel your landline, switch to a cheaper cell phone plan and subscribe to an internet fax service where your faxes are emailed to you.

4. Clothing - Purchase brand name clothing at Winners and outlet stores.

5. Grocery - Shop at discount grocery stores such as No Frills or Buy Low Foods.

6. Entertainment - Apply for a SCENE Visa and Debit Card or get a Netflix account and watch all the movies you want for $8.00 per month.

7. Internet - Check your email and surf the web for free at the library or buy a used computer from a store that offers follow-up service and repair.

8. Fitness - Start walking outdoors instead of paying to exercise at a gym. Stick to push-ups, pull-ups, sit ups and some dumbell curls at home if you must have more muscle development. Check with a medical doctor first.

9. Restaurants - Stick to affordable, healthy fast food such as Subway or a soup and sandwhich from Tim Horton's.

10. Xmas Cards and Gifts - Stick to E-Cards and avoid the postage and cost of traditional cards. Send out lotto scratch tickets and gift cards to your family and friends' favourite stores to reduce the likelihood of a poor gift choice.