The holidays are coming up fast. Some say (or at least one carol says) it’s the most wonderful time of the year. But it’s also one of the most expensive. Between gifts, decorations, and festive meals, it’s easy to overspend. But what if you could save for holiday shopping without cutting back on your everyday expenses? By setting aside just $5 a week, you can build up a nice holiday fund by the time the festivities roll around—and it’s easier than you think!

1. Break it down: how much can you save?

First, let’s look at how much time you’ve got to save. If you start now and save $5 per week, here’s what you can expect:

  • If you start 10 weeks before the holidays, you’ll save $50.
  • If you start 12 weeks before, you’ll save $60.
  • If you start 16 weeks before, you’ll save $80.

It’s a simple, steady way to build a little extra cushion for your holiday shopping—without feeling like you’re sacrificing all year long. That $50-$80 can go a long way if you spend it wisely!!

2. Skip a daily purchase

One of the easiest ways to find an extra $5 a week for holiday shopping? Cut out one small daily purchase. That doesn’t mean you have to give up all of your favorite treats or hobbies—just swap out or skip one or two of them for a while.

Easy ways to save $5

  • Skip the takeout coffee: Instead of buying a $5 latte one day, make your own at home. (Bonus points if you make it fancy with flavored syrups or whipped cream!)
  • Pack your lunch: Bring lunch from home one day instead of eating out, and you could save $5 (or more).
  • Limit takeout: Skip one takeout meal per week, and you’ll easily save the $5.
  • Cancel an unused subscription: Check for streaming services, apps, or memberships you’re not using regularly. Canceling just one could save you more than $5 per week!

Brigit tip: Think of these changes as temporary swaps, not forever sacrifices. You’re simply shifting small habits to save a little for a bigger payoff later.

3. Use cashback and rewards apps

Another way to easily save $5 a week is by taking advantage of cashback and rewards apps. These apps give you money back on purchases you’re already making—it’s almost like getting paid to shop!

Recommended cashback apps

  • Ibotta: Scan your grocery receipts for instant cashback on everyday items.
  • Fetch Rewards: Scan receipts for points that can be redeemed for gift cards.
  • Dosh: Link your debit or credit card and automatically earn cashback at participating retailers.

Brigit tip: Combine cashback apps with in-store sales to double up on savings. You can earn $5 or more per week if you use these apps regularly.

4. Declutter and sell unused items

Got clothes, electronics, or other items you no longer use? Now’s the perfect time to clean out your space and make some extra cash in the process. Even if you only sell one item a week, it can quickly add up to that $5 goal—or more.

Where to sell

  • Facebook Marketplace: Great for selling locally.
  • eBay: Perfect for selling specialty items or collectibles.
  • Poshmark: Sell clothes, shoes, and accessories.
  • OfferUp: Another popular local selling platform for a wide variety of items.

Brigit tip: Tackle one room or category at a time. Sell things you no longer need or use, and you’ll make extra money and declutter before the holidays. It’s a win-win!

5. Round up your purchases

Lots of banks and apps offer “round-up” savings programs, where they round up every purchase you make to the nearest dollar and transfer the difference into a savings account. It’s an effortless way to build up a small savings fund without even noticing.

How it works

  • Example: If you spend $4.50 on a purchase, the app rounds it up to $5 and deposits the extra 50 cents into a savings account.
  • Where to set it up: Check with your bank or use apps like Acorns that offer round-up savings features.

Brigit tip: If your bank doesn’t offer this feature, you can manually “round up” your purchases by transferring the difference into your savings account at the end of each week. It’s a simple way to save extra cash without thinking about it.

6. Use the 24-hour rule for impulse buys

Impulse buys are one of the biggest budget-crushers, especially around the holidays. To save $5 a week (or more), practice the 24-hour rule: if you’re tempted to buy something, wait 24 hours before you actually buy it. A lot of times, you’ll probably realize you don’t really need it, and you’ll skip the purchase and save that money instead.

How it helps

  • Curb unnecessary spending: You’ll find that many of those “must-have” items lose their appeal after a day of thinking it over.
  • Use that $5 for your savings: Every time you pass on an impulse buy, transfer the money you would have spent into your holiday fund.

Brigit tip: Keep a list of ‘impulse buys avoided’ to track how much you’ve saved by not buying things. It’s satisfying to see how much you’ve saved in just a few weeks.

7. Cut back on energy costs

Easy utility-saving tips

  • Lower the thermostat: Drop the heat by a couple of degrees and put on a sweater instead (we sound like your mom, we know). Each degree you lower can save you 1-3% on your heating bill.
  • Use energy-efficient light bulbs: Switch to LED bulbs, which use less energy and last longer.
  • Unplug unused electronics: Even when they’re turned off, electronics can draw power. Unplugging them when they’re not in use can cut down on electricity costs.

Brigit tip: If you have a smart thermostat, set it to lower the heat when you’re not home. It’s a set-it-and-forget-it way to save!

8. Set up an automatic transfer

Sometimes, the easiest way to save is to make it automatic. If you have a savings account, set up a weekly auto-transfer of $5. It’s small enough that you won’t miss it, but over time, it adds up!

How to do it

– Log into your bank account and look for the ‘automatic transfers’ feature.

– Set up a recurring $5 weekly transfer from your checking to your savings.

Brigit tip: Treat it like a bill you pay to yourself. Once the money is transferred, resist the urge to dip into your savings—let it ride so you can build savings for the holidays!