12 Days of Holiday Tips

Authored By: FiCare FCU on 12/8/2025

 

The holiday season is here, and with it comes a wonderful mix of joy, celebration, and time spent with friends and family. It’s the stretch of the year filled with traditions, travel, shopping, and more than a few calendar reminders. But between the excitement and the busy schedules, it's also a time when costs rise quickly - sometimes more quickly than we expect.

To help you enjoy the season without the stress, we’ve gathered 12 practical holiday tips. You’ll learn how to protect your budget, stay safe online and in person, use credit wisely, and find easy ways to stretch your dollars a little further. Whether your December is already planned out or you’re just getting started, these tips can keep you organized and in joyful spirits.

 

BUDGETING

The holidays bring so many opportunities to spend - on gifts, events, decorations, dinners, travel, and more. Without a plan, it’s easy to overspend and start the new year feeling behind. These tips will help you keep your budget intact while still enjoying everything the season has to offer.

Holiday deals are designed to grab your attention. Retailers lean heavily into psychological tactics this time of year - flashy signs, “limited-time” banners, doorbusters, and promotions that seem too good to pass up. Combine that with the excitement of scoring a bargain, and it’s easy to add “just one more thing” to the cart.

A simple list can keep you grounded. Write down who you’re shopping for and set a spending limit for each person. Check your list regularly while shopping so impulse purchases don’t quietly creep into your budget.

 

There’s no getting around it - the holiday season is one of the most expensive times of the year. Between gatherings, travel, gift exchanges, festive outings, and décor, expenses add up quickly.

Set a realistic holiday budget before you begin shopping. If money is tight this season, consider scaling back in a few areas or swapping expensive purchases for more thoughtful, lower-cost alternatives. And if you need financing, skip high-interest credit cards and consider more responsible options, such as a Holiday Loan (see Tip #12).

 

A few temporary adjustments to your current budget can go a long way in freeing up extra cash.

Many households choose to:

Redirecting savings toward holiday spending allows you to avoid relying on high-interest credit cards or payday loans - and that means fewer interest charges in January.

 

USING CREDIT

Credit is a tool, and during the holidays, many people rely on it to bridge the gap. With a little planning, you can use credit strategically instead of starting the year with a balance you didn’t anticipate.

Credit cards are incredibly convenient, which is why many shoppers reach for them first. But remember - a credit card is a loan, and interest can add up fast if you don’t pay it off quickly.

If you plan to use credit this season, compare the cards in your wallet and prioritize the one with the lowest interest rate. A single choice like this can save you a surprising amount of money.

 

At almost every checkout line, retailers encourage shoppers to apply for a store credit card. They often dangle “instant savings” - 15% off today’s purchase, or a modest dollar amount off your total.

But those savings come at a cost. Store-sponsored credit cards tend to have some of the highest interest rates in the industry. If you carry a balance even briefly, you’ll likely pay far more in interest than the value of the initial discount.

Practice a simple phrase before you get to the checkout counter: “No, thank you.” Your budget (and credit score) will thank you later.

 

Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services continue to grow in popularity. The appeal is understandable - four small payments over time, no interest, and instant approval.

The challenge is keeping track of it all. One BNPL purchase turns into another, and suddenly you’re juggling multiple due dates across different apps. Miss one payment, and the fees and interest charges can be steep. These programs were originally designed to help break up large or occasional purchases; however, today they’re being used for everything from clothing to fast food.

If you use BNPL, use it cautiously - and only for purchases that truly make sense.

 

STAYING SAFE

The holidays are a peak season for fraud, theft, and scams. With so many people shopping, traveling, and connecting online, bad actors see new opportunities. A few simple precautions can go a long way in protecting both your finances and your personal information.

Hackers know the holidays are busy. They take advantage of that distraction through emails, text messages, fake delivery updates, and social media links.

Comprehensive virus and malware protection helps safeguard your devices. Many software providers allow you to cover multiple devices under one plan, so ensure everything you use regularly - phones, tablets, laptops - is protected. Keeping your operating systems up to date is equally important.

 

Updating passwords is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect your accounts. Before the season gets hectic, refresh passwords for:

Aim for strong passwords with at least 12 characters - including a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible. Even if someone obtains your password, they can’t access your account without the MFA verification code.

 

Cash can be convenient, especially for envelope-style budgeting, but carrying large amounts during the holidays can pose safety risks. It draws attention when you’re in crowded stores and can be difficult to recover if lost or stolen.

Instead, consider safer alternatives such as your debit or credit card, a mobile wallet, or even loading funds onto a prepaid debit card. These options offer more security without derailing your budget.

 

WAYS TO SAVE

There are plenty of simple ways to stretch your holiday dollars further. A little creativity and some thoughtful planning can reduce stress and help you stay focused on what matters most.

If you’ve been earning points all year, now may be the perfect time to use them. Redeeming points for gift cards is especially effective because they’re flexible - you can use them for gifts, groceries, decorations, or give them as presents themselves.

This strategy helps free up cash for other holiday expenses.

 

Holiday spending can create pressure and unwanted stress. Setting spending limits with friends and family helps everyone stay comfortable.

A few common approaches include:

These small adjustments can be a blessing for someone who may be struggling but is hesitant to say so.

 

A Holiday Loan is essentially a personal loan wrapped in seasonal perks. It gives you a structured, responsible way to borrow without turning to high-interest credit cards, payday loans, or juggling multiple BNPL payments.

Holiday Loans can help you:

If you expect a tight budget this year, a Holiday Loan can offer the breathing room you need without worrying about high-interest debt following you into the new year.

 

We’re Here to Help!

The holiday season should be filled with joy, not financial stress. By creating a holiday budget, protecting yourself, using credit wisely, and exploring responsible options like a Holiday Loan, you can enjoy the season while keeping your finances on track for the new year. Even small steps can make a significant financial difference.

If you want to learn more about Holiday Loans or have questions about our low-rate credit cards, we’re ready to help. Please stop by any of our branch locations or call 813-600-5920 to speak with a team member today.

 

 

Each individual’s financial situation is unique, and readers are encouraged to contact FiCare Federal Credit Union when seeking financial advice on the products and services discussed. This article and the examples provided are for educational purposes only. Contact the credit union for current rates.

 



« Return to "Blog"
Go to main navigation