Hurray! November is here!
We are just about to enter the “parte after parte” season.
Streets are going to be camouflaged with ravishing of bright lights and decor.
Plus the melodious never-fading Boney M’s Christmas carols will be harmonizing aloud in the city Matatus.
The challenge is that the cost of literally everything goes up ranging from food-stuff to personal use commodities and the smallest necessities.
Even though everything is annoyingly expensive, we Kenyans still go ahead to make the purchases after all.
Could it be the excitement of holiday-ing, the joy of making it alive to the end of a tough year or the delightfulness of seeing your family again?
Experts have suggested that supply is not too strong to match the sudden increase in need of products, thus the hike in prices.
Make a budget
Plan ahead of your purchases and make a list of all the necessities you will need.
The vital part is to stick to your budget and avoid uncalled for expenses.
It is said that “the goals written are goals half-solved“.
Write that list down, spare nothing you need and give priorities to what’s most important.
In case there is a room you can always purchase the not-so-necessary items, after all, you have secured the bag and bought the most vital.
Take advantage of festive promotions
The festive season is a time to share, and retailers take this seriously.
There are promotions for every one of us over anything.
We just need to look at the right place. Gifts have long been known as a sign of showing love.
Most stores will be offering gift cards and coupons to their esteemed shoppers. Do not let this golden opportunity pass you by.
You do not have to use the gift cards, but you can play Santa Claus and spread the love by sharing them with your friends and family.
Comparison of shopping
Shop smart!
It is a mega holiday, and you sure have all the time to move around and compare prices for all or whatever you want to buy.
Take any chances to maximize shopping for the cheapest keeping a watch over product quality.
Prices may not vary widely but saving a shilling or two from low priced stores counts overall in summation after your total purchase has been made.
Get purchase vouchers
Vouchers have long been the number one offer method by business companies.
They are authentic and minimize fraud. Shop and request for coupons if any.
Also, when you get coupons in your good financial days, be sure to reserve them for days that come with crazy prices (festive seasons are definitely one of them).
Coupons don’t last too long as terms and conditions apply. Always check for their expiry.
Online shopping
There are several discounts online because retailers want to popularize online shopping.
Shoppers are obsessed with the “try it out first” phenomena; hence, bricks-and-mortar shops still win.
This could be your lucky day.
Peruse through websites selling whatever you want to buy and maximize the range of plentiful opportunities for online shopping.
Crazy offers will be running on Black Friday -the day after the fourth Thursday of November where crazy sales and deals occur.
Jumia Kenya is a popular online shopping application and has for too long known to embrace crazy discounts on Black Friday.
Do not let this opportunity pass you by.
Social media
Follow your most preferred online stores on social media to get regular updates on their products and services.
Stores are common for setting competitions and simple tasks to be won by their customers.
The winners are usually rewarded with their products.
This could be you joining a competition actually to save your budget.
Avoid impulse shopping
We know you have just gotten your payment check and we know too well the deep urge to spend and buy anything you don’t need.
Stick to your shopping list and remember the dreaded ‘nja-nuary’ is around the corner, and you will need to foot all those necessary bills.
Ask for discounts
Most of the shops have gift cards and discounts for their customers in this time of joy.
Maybe you’ve been an all year round shopper of that specific store. Claim your reward by asking for it.
Although I don’t see why retailers should wait to be asked for discounts and promotions when they are existing.
Maybe it’s a way of capturing the devoted customers’ attention.
Opt for staying indoors
There is a lot of fun and memories to be made with your family while you stay indoors.
Embrace Netflix and avoid going to the movies while you eat inexpensive home-made popcorn and cuddle in soft baby blankets.
Staying home saves you gas expenditures, abrupts expenses on food and any unplanned miscellaneous money needs.
Check as well how to spend wisely.
Cook from home (not only during festive season:)
Take this time to polish up and rekindle your kitchen skills.
There is a wide range of world-class cuisines you haven’t yet heard about and giving them a try won’t hurt.
Follow reputable local chefs for local dishes and international ones like Martha Stewart over “the gram” and see what they are up to.
Do not just cook alone, split responsibilities by creating an itinerary for all family members.
Go ahead and spice things up by declaring a full-house cooking competition (this may be useful not only during the festive season:)
You never know this might be the start of a flourishing career for one of your members.
Go green
The barter trade of Christmas cards has for long been the culture of the festive season.
Yet, Christmas cards are costly because you are going to need at least one for the entire neighbourhood, close friends and everyone you’ve ever known since you set foot to the world.
It is also one of the major causes of detrimental global warming.
Why don’t you take a step to save the worlds this Christmas by embracing technology and sending softcopy gift cards?
One, it will take your devoted time and effort to make them, so this should be a gift from the bottom of your kind heart.
Two, you will not need to make a million different copies, but one!
Three, by the click of a button, your recipient will be viewing your warm festive wishes.
And four, no time and money wasted in posting the cards to your loved ones.
May the comfort of your finances give you a warm season and not horrific memories of a time you despise.
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