Keeping to a budget when you’re not keeping Christmas
![man confused by christmas gifts when he doesn't celebrate during holiday season](https://cdn.mozo.com.au/images/atwood/14389/confusion%20at%20gifts%20during%20christmas%20season.jpg)
This one goes out to all the readers who aren’t Christmas-keepers! Whether you’re beholden to Hanukkah, or eschew religion altogether, this time of year is expensive even without Christmas on the agenda. With a cost of living crisis on our hands, even avoiding Christmas can get costly, and we’re here with tips on how to keep those costs down.
Unexpected silly season costs
Chances are, you’ve noticed a couple of expenses starting to pile up, even if you don’t have to buy a tree or check off a Christmas list. Wondering what some of those costs could be?
We’ve got you covered - here are just a few:
- Secret Santa gifts for coworkers
- Public holiday surcharges at venues
- Airfares
- Accommodation
- Social events - end of year dinners, New Year’s Eve parties, etc
- Petrol
Some, we’ve already shared some tips for, like keeping down your petrol prices or finding good gifts for coworkers. There are ways to avoid the merry mark up in other areas, from little tips to major changes.
Ways to keep your your end of year budget from busting
Here are a few hacks that will help keep end-of-year costs down:
Shift travel plans
Travelling over the holiday season is bound to cost you significantly more than any other time of year. Demand for domestic flights is majorly elevated, and accommodation is likely to book out. By shifting your plans to a slightly less in-demand time of year, post-New Year’s Eve, you’re likely to make some significant savings on your travel expenses.
If your travel dates are non-negotiable, try to stay savvy with your plans. You can minimise costs on flights by being flexible with days of the week you’re willing to fly, opting for a low-cost carrier (and packing light!), or scouring for sales. Make the most of credit card rewards points, and look for last minute deals on accommodation.
Make budget-conscious plans
Having a big dinner? Opt for a potluck or bring-a-dish style that will save your on holiday grocery bills.
Thinking about going to a big, ticketed New Year’s Eve event? Think about how much time you’ll be there, and whether or not it’s worth it - you might be better off having a picnic at a park, or enjoying champagne with friends at home!
There are plenty of ways to make plans that won’t break the bank, from making the most of the great outdoors to avoiding bookings on public holidays with pricey surcharges. But there’s an art to arranging things in a way that works for you.
Avoid unnecessary gift swaps
As a person who grew up without Christmas, I’m constantly fighting the urge to get gifts for every person around me. It’s not sustainable, it’s not affordable, and it doesn’t seem like it’s socially correct either - but I never learnt the decorum!
Fight past those frustrating social barriers and ask people what’s happening with gifts. You might find that your friends all know you don’t observe, and don’t expect anything from you - even if they’re gift-givers themselves.
With people you do want to give gifts to, perhaps as a symbol of thanks or gratitude, there’s no underestimating the value of a homemade gift. Put your hobby to work: knit a scarf, glaze a pot, paint a portrait or write a poem. A gift like that is sure to go down a treat without costing you a fortune.
Want more money news this season? Stay on top of seasonal stories at our family finance hub.
Start comparing savings accounts to add to:
-
Savings Account
5.35% p.a. (for $0 to $250,000)
4.75% p.a.(for $0 to $1,000,000)
Yes up to $250,000
Bonus variable rate is available for the first 4 months.
Enjoy a high interest savings account with no account keeping fees to pay. Save up to 10% on eGift cards at over 50 retailers with Macquarie Marketplace. Multiple 2024 Mozo Experts Choice Award winner.
CompareCompareSavings Account
Enjoy a high interest savings account with no account keeping fees to pay. Save up to 10% on eGift cards at over 50 retailers with Macquarie Marketplace. Multiple 2024 Mozo Experts Choice Award winner.
- Maximum rate
- 5.35% p.a. (for $0 to $250,000)
- standard interest rate
- 4.75% p.a.(for $0 to $1,000,000)
- Govt Deposit Guarantee
- Yes up to $250,000
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- Bonus variable rate is available for the first 4 months.
- Access
- BPay, Branch access, Phone banking, Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- Must have a Macquarie Transaction Account to link with.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Savings Account
-
Mozo experts choice awards won:
- Kick Start Savings - 2024
High Interest Savings Account
5.75% p.a. (for $0 to $250,001)
4.40% p.a.(for $0 to $250,001)
Yes up to $250,000
Bonus rate for the first 4 months from account opening
Reward yourself with a higher rate for your good savings habits with the Rabobank High Interest Savings Account. No Account keeping fees. No minimum balance. Support Aussie farmers with every dollar you save.
CompareCompareHigh Interest Savings Account
Reward yourself with a higher rate for your good savings habits with the Rabobank High Interest Savings Account. No Account keeping fees. No minimum balance. Support Aussie farmers with every dollar you save.
- Maximum rate
- 5.75% p.a. (for $0 to $250,001)
- standard interest rate
- 4.40% p.a.(for $0 to $250,001)
- Govt Deposit Guarantee
- Yes up to $250,000
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- Bonus rate for the first 4 months from account opening, reverting to standard variable rate. Rate shown is for Personal customers and is subject to change. Different rates apply to Business/SMSF customers.
- Access
- Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- Must link to a transaction account
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the High Interest Savings Account
-
Mozo experts choice awards won:
- High Interest Savings - 2024
Savings Maximiser
5.50% p.a. (for $0 to $100,000)
0.55% p.a.(for $0 and over)
Yes up to $250,000
Deposit $1,000 into a personal ING account, make 5 eligible transactions with a linked Orange Everyday account and grow the balance each month.
Great variable rate every month when you grow your balance each month in addition to other eligibility criteria. No ING fees to pay. Save even more with ING Everyday Round Up. Mozo Experts Choice Awards Everyday & Savings Bank of the Year winner for 2024.^
CompareCompareSavings Maximiser
Great variable rate every month when you grow your balance each month in addition to other eligibility criteria. No ING fees to pay. Save even more with ING Everyday Round Up. Mozo Experts Choice Awards Everyday & Savings Bank of the Year winner for 2024.^
- Maximum rate
- 5.50% p.a. (for $0 to $100,000)
- standard interest rate
- 0.55% p.a.(for $0 and over)
- Govt Deposit Guarantee
- Yes up to $250,000
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- For customers who deposit $1000 from an external source into a personal ING account (excluding Orange One and Living Super), make 5 eligible transactions and grow their nominated Savings Maximiser account each month so there is more in the account at the end of the month than there was at the start of each month (excluding interest). The total bonus interest rate is available on balances up to $100,000 on one Savings Maximiser the next month after meeting eligibility.
- Access
- Phone banking, Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- Must be linked to an Orange Everyday transaction account to receive the bonus rate. Where multiple Savings Maximiser Accounts are held, the bonus rate is only applied to one nominated account.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Savings Maximiser
-
MoneyMAX Account
No Current Offer
4.75% p.a.(for $1 and over)
Yes up to $250,000
Unlimited access 24/7 via Banking App, Phone & Internet Banking. Interest is calculated daily and paid monthly. No transaction fees or monthly service fees. No minimum balance or withdrawal restrictions. Online access only.
CompareCompareMoneyMAX Account
Unlimited access 24/7 via Banking App, Phone & Internet Banking. Interest is calculated daily and paid monthly. No transaction fees or monthly service fees. No minimum balance or withdrawal restrictions. Online access only.
- Maximum rate
- No Current Offer
- standard interest rate
- 4.75% p.a.(for $1 and over)
- Govt Deposit Guarantee
- Yes up to $250,000
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- n/a
- Access
- BPay, Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- Branch access for deposits only.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the MoneyMAX Account
-
Savings Accelerator
3.55% p.a. (for $0 to $50,000)
2.85% p.a.(for $0 to $50,000)
Yes up to $250,000
New customers receive an introductory bonus 0.70% p.a. variable kick starter rate for the first 4 months on balances up to $500,000.
Enjoy the flexibility to access your funds with no monthly deposit requirements or lock-in terms. No ING fees to pay. Mozo Experts Choice Awards Everyday & Savings Bank of the Year winner for 2024.^
CompareCompareSavings Accelerator
Enjoy the flexibility to access your funds with no monthly deposit requirements or lock-in terms. No ING fees to pay. Mozo Experts Choice Awards Everyday & Savings Bank of the Year winner for 2024.^
- Maximum rate
- 3.55% p.a. (for $0 to $50,000)
- standard interest rate
- 2.85% p.a.(for $0 to $50,000)
- Govt Deposit Guarantee
- Yes up to $250,000
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- New ING personal savings customers receive an introductory bonus 0.70% p.a. variable kick starter rate for the first 4 months on balances up to $500,000. Reverts to variable ongoing rate.
- Access
- Phone banking, Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- Must link to a transaction account
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Savings Accelerator
Your selected family finances
Your selected family finances
Your selected family finances
Your selected family finances
Your selected family finances
^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Savings Account Awards
Mozo provides general product information. We don't consider your personal objectives, financial situation or needs and we aren't recommending any specific product to you. You should make your own decision after reading the PDS or offer documentation, or seeking independent advice.
While we pride ourselves on covering a wide range of products, we don't cover every product in the market. If you decide to apply for a product through our website, you will be dealing directly with the provider of that product and not with Mozo.