IT may be summer, but the Christmas countdown is on.
With less than six months until the big day, it makes sense to start budgeting now to ease the festive financial pinch.
Here’s how . . .
GET PREPPED: Work out how much you might need to spend for this year’s festive season, including gifts, decorations and food.
Divide the total amount by the number of weeks left until Christmas — 25 — to determine how much you need to save each week.
A clear budget can help you see how much you need to save.
MAKE A SAVING: Consider opening a separate savings account specifically for Christmas expenses and transfer a set amount per month to save.
You can even start putting any loose change you get into a hidden-away jar.
Even small amounts deposited regularly can add up significantly over time, helping you reach your savings goal by Christmas.
POTS OF GOLD: Check your bank account or banking app to see if you can set up a “round-up pot”.
You could use the Chase banking app, which rounds up your purchases to the nearest pound then saves the extra money separately, with a handy five per cent interest rate.
EARN SOME DOSH: Setting aside cash is difficult right now, so you could try getting savvy and setting yourself the goal of selling one item a month online, then putting the proceeds towards your Christmas budget.
PRESENT STASH: Besides your Christmas budget, make a list of everyone you will want to buy gifts for this year.
There are some great summer sales on at the moment, so it’s a good time to pick up cheaper gifts, as long as you can afford it now and have a place to hide them.
Check out the Argos sale for discounts on everything from Lego to bikes, or check out The Entertainer (thetoyshop.com) for up to 50 per cent off LOL Surprise!, Barbie and Little Tikes toys.
CATCH the rest of the footie on the Hisense A4K 32in HD Ready Smart TV, RRP £190, now £149 at ao.com.
SAVE: £41
ICE cream doesn’t get more posh than Haagen-Dazs macaron double chocolate ganache.
A tub was £5.35 but is now £3.75 at Asda.
SAVE: £1.60
SLIP into a pair of new shoes as the Office summer sale has started.
Save big on Dr Martens sandals and Nike Air Force trainers, plus Crocs.
This pair was £50, now £35.
UPDATE your summer wardrobe with a straw tote bag, £45, M&S, or get a similar style at Matalan, on offer for £10.50.
SAVE: £34.50
TOP up your make-up bag at cultbeauty.co.uk as new customers get 15 per cent off their first haul when spending £25 or more. Use the code FIRST15 at the check-out.
CLEAN up your act – the TOWER XEC20 Plus T513005 bagless vacuum cleaner is now reduced, usually £44.99, now £34.99 at currys.co.uk.
SAVE: £10
PICK up some bargains in the New Look sale, with up to 70 per cent off men’s, women’s and teen styles.
JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle.
Every month we’re giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers – whether you’re saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered.
Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket.
The more codes you enter, the more tickets you’ll earn and the more chance you will have of winning!
