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Holiday temptations are back… mashed potatoes, gravy, pumpkin pie… and the struggle is real. It’s hard to avoid overindulging during the holidays, and not just on food; Black Friday shopping deals can be quite delicious too. To help keep your mid-section in and your wallet from running out, consider these tips from the pros:
Cooking Light suggests sipping on cocoa instead of eggnog and advises loading up on green beans, sweet potatoes, turkey and cranberries rather than dips, creamy soups, mashed potatoes and pecan pie. Also, remember that just because the food is there, it doesn’t mean you have to eat it.
Similarly, just because something is on sale, it doesn’t mean you have to buy it. In fact, there may be a better time of year to save on your purchase. Consumer Reports suggests going for Black Friday deals on bikes, toys, electronics and appliances, but consider waiting to buy computers, treadmills, ellipticals, athletic gear, bedding, mattresses, furniture, carpeting and lawn mowers until other times of the year.
Shopping wisely shouldn’t be a season trend, so consider the timing of these other pricey items throughout the year:
Airline Tickets: Cheapair.com suggests booking travel a month to four months out, if possible. If you plan to travel over a holiday weekend or summer, you’ll want to book a whopping 11 months in advance for a great deal!
Automobiles: There are a few good times to buy a car, but big deals generally occur on holiday weekends and towards the end of the year. If you can’t wait that long, try to hold off at least until the end of the month.
A Home: According to Business Insider, the best time to buy a home is during the winter because most people aren’t buying during the school year or over the holidays.
