Christmas is always right around the corner. That’s my motto and it’s saved me a lot of headache over the years. A year-round Christmas savings plan is ideal, but I know for many of you, you feel like you’re getting a late start.
Regardless of whether you’re starting in July or September, I’ve designed a Christmas savings challenge that will help you save $1,000 in 12 weeks. Why $1,000? Well, according to recent studies, families spend an average of $983 on holiday gifts.
Instead of throwing that on your credit card this year, open up a Christmas savings account and take on this challenge. It’s best to start as early as possible so you can have a debt-free holiday. Even if you don’t meet the $1,000 goal, you’ll be happy that you managed to save even half of that when the holidays come around.
Boost Christmas Savings When You Shop
Before I share with you the Christmas savings challenge, I want to share with you my favorite cash back app that helps me save money on groceries, travel, mobile shopping and more.
This app helps you save money all year long, but it can come in especially handy during the holidays. Use this app to get cash back on baking goods, holiday gifts, gift certificates, rentals, airfare, and hotels.
It’s completely free to sign up for this app, Ibotta. Plus, when you redeem your first cash back rebate, you’ll receive a $10 bonus that you can redeem in PayPal cash or a gift card to various retailers.
Sign up for free using this link for the bonus or read my entire review on how to get the most out of this amazing money-saving app.
If you sign up and start using this app, along with this money savings challenge — you’ll be amazed at how far your dollar stretches this holiday season. Now, let’s get to the christmas savings plan…
My Christmas Savings Challenge To You — Save $1,000 By Christmas
Using a 2018 calendar, if you begin this Christmas Savings Challenge by September 18th, you’ll save $1,002. You’ll even have two weeks to spare and that will give you time to catch last minute holiday deals.
You will start by saving $89 and you will decrease that amount by $1 until your last savings contribution of $78. If you start the savings challenge late, no worries. You can always adjust the amount (add $1 to $3 per week) on the Christmas savings plan printable that’s included below.
Here’s how the Christmas savings plan will break down:
| Week | Deposit | Total |
| 1 | $89 | $89 |
| 2 | $88 | $177 |
| 3 | $87 | $264 |
| 4 | $86 | $350 |
| 5 | $85 | $435 |
| 6 | $84 | $519 |
| 7 | $83 | $602 |
| 8 | $82 | $684 |
| 9 | $81 | $765 |
| 10 | $80 | $845 |
| 11 | $79 | $924 |
| 12 | $78 | $1,002 |
Get Your Free Christmas Savings Plan Printable
Use this free downloadable Christmas savings plan printable to save $1,002 by Christmas. These funds can be used to pay for holiday gifts, food, decor, travel, and holiday giving!
If you’re intimidated by the amounts, don’t be. There are plenty of things we spend money on that we don’t realize it. You could make a sacrifice for twelve weeks to meet your goal. Some family’s sacrifices might be greater than others.
Those sacrifices could be forgoing a family meal out at a restaurant. For others, it might look a little differently. Just know that the sacrifice is only temporary and your goal is within reach! Check out LAAB’s money saving posts to help you cut expenses.
If you’ve cut out everything and you still have trouble reaching your weekly Christmas savings goal for twelve weeks, consider a side-hustle.
Grab your free Christmas Savings Plan printable by clicking this link or the photo below. (No email necessary!) The deposit column amounts are grayed out so you can adjust if necessary.
I’ve also left the total column blank in the event that you have to adjust your weekly deposits. Use the last column to check off your weekly Christmas savings progress.
Finding Extra Money For Your Christmas Savings Plan
Here’s a list of ways to earn extra money for your Christmas Savings Plan:
Money For Christmas: Boost Your Christmas Savings with Just 20 Minutes a Day
9+ Free Survey Sites to Join For Extra Money
Making Money As A Brand Ambassador
11 Things To Sell To Make Extra Money
Earn Extra Cash: 21 Ways to Add an Extra $150 to Your Budget
7 Ways to Make an Extra $600 This Month
