Money

Don’t miss a deal this December with Mr Money’s advent savings calendar


ADVENT has begun — sparking a fresh wave of frenzied shopping.

Festive spending will rise by a fifth this year as we spend an average of £660 in the build-up to the big day, according to wealth manager Hargreaves Lansdown.

 Keep up to date on Xmas deals with Mr Money's advent calendar

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Keep up to date on Xmas deals with Mr Money’s advent calendarCredit: Getty

But there are ways to cut costs. Here’s Mr Money’s advent calendar of festive spending tips.

1

 Sit down and decide how much you're going to budget for this holiday season - it pays to plan ahead

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Sit down and decide how much you’re going to budget for this holiday season – it pays to plan aheadCredit: Getty

DECIDE your Christmas budget and how you’ll pay for it.

The average spend is £325.70 on presents, £145.60 on food and drink, £121.30 on going out and £67.40 on extras so it pays to plan ahead.

2

 If you don't already have a credit card, consider a 0 per cent purchase one

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If you don’t already have a credit card, consider a 0 per cent purchase oneCredit: Getty

IF you plan to spend on a credit card, get a 0 per cent purchase one.

The Capital One Classic Complete is a good option for poorer credit scorers.

3

 Apply to get a letter from Santa before its too late

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Apply to get a letter from Santa before its too lateCredit: Royal Mail

APPLY to Royal Mail to get a letter from Santa.

Post your letter to Santa with a stamp – 70p for First Class, 61p for Second – and include your kids’ full names and address. Deadline is December 6.

4

 Get on booking sites early to get cheap train tickets - you can compare prices on National Rail's site

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Get on booking sites early to get cheap train tickets – you can compare prices on National Rail’s siteCredit: Getty

BOOK any travel tickets you have yet to organise. The earlier you book, the cheaper the tickets will be.

Compare prices by going direct to nationalrail.co.uk plus Raileasy and Trainline.

5

 Doing a Secret Santa with family members or friends is a great way to limit spending for everyone

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Doing a Secret Santa with family members or friends is a great way to limit spending for everyoneCredit: Getty

AGREE a spending limit with adult family members to avoid pricey presents, (eg, £5 or £10). Or do a Secret Santa.

Martin Lewis even suggests not buying any gifts.

6

 On December 6 Boots will reduce their popular Soap and Glory 'Sweet Tin-tations' gift set

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On December 6 Boots will reduce their popular Soap and Glory ‘Sweet Tin-tations’ gift set

BOOTS is today reducing its hugely popular Soap and Glory “Sweet Tin-tations” gift set from £60 to £30.

7

 American Express cardholders get £5 cashback when they spend over £10 at some local businesses

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American Express cardholders get £5 cashback when they spend over £10 at some local businessesCredit: Getty

FROM today, Amex cardholders can get £5 cashback when they spend at least £10 at participating local businesses (not chains).

See the Offers section of the Amex app.

8

 Online marketplaces on sites like Gumtree and Facebook are great for secondhand gifts

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Online marketplaces on sites like Gumtree and Facebook are great for secondhand giftsCredit: AFP or licensors

SCOUR Facebook groups and Gumtree for preloved toys for younger kids.

They’re unlikely to worry or care about their gift being secondhand.

9

 See what you still need to order and check online for any upcoming discounts or offers

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See what you still need to order and check online for any upcoming discounts or offersCredit: Getty

FINALISE a list of gifts that you still need to order and see where they are cheapest using Google Shopping.

Leave items in your digital shopping bag for a few days, as you might get a discount.

10

 Check to see if you can claim some cashback on any loyalty cards you have, this will offset costs

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Check to see if you can claim some cashback on any loyalty cards you have, this will offset costsCredit: Getty

DO some admin. Check your loyalty points with shops such as Boots, Tesco or Sainsbury’s and can you claim back any cashback you’ve earned?

Use these to offset festive costs.

11

 Make space for new gifts with a good clear-out, then sell on anything that's still in good condition

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Make space for new gifts with a good clear-out, then sell on anything that’s still in good conditionCredit: Getty

FLOG old toys and any unwanted household items to make some cash and clear space for new stuff you’re hoping Santa brings.

Sellers on Facebook don’t pay fees.

12

 Teach your kids about the real meaning of Christmas and get them to donate some toys, or buy a present for a child in need

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Teach your kids about the real meaning of Christmas and get them to donate some toys, or buy a present for a child in needCredit: Getty

TEACH your little ones about the real meaning of Christmas by buying a pressie for a child in need.

See The Salavation Army for details of how to give or the Met Police’s appeal, which closes today.

13

 Theatre tickets are a great Christmas present but wait until December 13 and get them in the sale

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Theatre tickets are a great Christmas present but wait until December 13 and get them in the saleCredit: Getty

GET £10 to £40 tickets for top London shows from the Official London Theatre website’s New Year sale, launching today.

A great Christmas pressie for theatre lovers.

14

 John Lewis tend to sell discounted decorations around the 14th so watch out for offers

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John Lewis tend to sell discounted decorations around the 14th so watch out for offersCredit: Getty

JOHN Lewis normally discounts decorations by 30 to 50 per cent at this time, so watch out for sales.

Also grab some pine cones and holly for some natural festive cheer.

15

 Save on a card and entertain the kids by getting them to make gifts for their teachers

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Save on a card and entertain the kids by getting them to make gifts for their teachersCredit: Getty

WITH the kids about to break up from school, today is a great day to get them to make a homemade card for their teacher and baking biscuits as a cheap, thoughtful pressie.

16

 Supermarket.co.uk is great to plan your Christmas food shop

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Supermarket.co.uk is great to plan your Christmas food shopCredit: D Hurst

PLAN your Christmas food shop on my supermarket.co.uk to see which retailer works out cheapest for your needs.

17

 This time last year M&S and Boots closed their orders for Christmas deliveries, so don't wait any longer

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This time last year M&S and Boots closed their orders for Christmas deliveries, so don’t wait any longerCredit: AFP or licensors

THIS was the last day to order Christmas deliveries for some retailers such as Boots and M&S last year.

Make any last-minute online orders now and don’t forget to grab cashback.

18

 Get your cards in the post now if you want them to arrive on time

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Get your cards in the post now if you want them to arrive on timeCredit: Getty

TIME to get your Christmas cards in the post.

This is the last day you can send them second class to arrive before the big day.

19

 Airlines like BA, Virgin Atlantic and easyJet launch their next year sales on December 19

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Airlines like BA, Virgin Atlantic and easyJet launch their next year sales on December 19Credit: Getty

AIRLINES like BA, Virgin Atlantic and easyJet launch sales for next year’s flights.

Last year Virgin offered a return from Manchester to New York for just £278 per person.

20

 Hold on until December 20 to stock up on veggies - this is when the supermarkets start their price war

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Hold on until December 20 to stock up on veggies – this is when the supermarkets start their price warCredit: Aldi

NOW begins the supermarket price war on fresh turkeys and veggies.

Look out for deals, such as 19p for a 1kg bag of carrots from Lidl and Aldi.

21

 Don't forget about Super Saturday - last year Sports Direct cut prices by 90 per cent

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Don’t forget about Super Saturday – last year Sports Direct cut prices by 90 per centCredit: Getty

IT’S Super Saturday – where retailers slash prices in a final bid to attract Christmas shoppers.

Last year Sports Direct cut prices by 90 per cent. Great for last minute gift-buying.

22

 Crayola have free festive colouring print-outs on their website to entertain kids

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Crayola have free festive colouring print-outs on their website to entertain kidsCredit: Getty

KIDS bored already?

The Crayola website has free festive colouring print-outs – or take youngsters out to see other houses’ twinkly decorations.

23

 Fill up the kids' stockings with pjs, socks and stationary

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Fill up the kids’ stockings with pjs, socks and stationaryCredit: B&M

SAVE cash by filling the kids’ Christmas stockings with stuff they will need anyway, like pjs, socks and stationery.

24

 As the kids get excited for Christmas Day, get onto norad and track Santa on his famous sleigh

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As the kids get excited for Christmas Day, get onto norad and track Santa on his famous sleighCredit: Getty

CHECK noradsanta.org to watch the progress of that famous sleigh on Christmas Eve. Kids will love it.

Martin Lewis explains how to get £250 worth of beauty products with M&S’ £40 advent calendar


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