There’s a lot to love about the holiday season! It’s all about celebrations, catching up with mates and family, and showering each other with love and gifts. But amid the joy it’s easy to get swept up in a festive season spending frenzy.

Come New Year’s Day, many of us may be left wondering how we managed to spend so much. Of course, no one wants to be the Grinch that stole Christmas, or a Scrooge who cries “Bah humbug!” to all the fun.

However, a merry Christmas shouldn’t leave your wallet empty, or see you nursing a financial hangover in the New Year.

Here are five tips from Craig Betalli, Senior Broker, Our Broker to embrace the season while keeping your finances in great shape.

Tip #1: Follow Santa’s lead

The big man in red is known for his list-making skills. So, why not follow Santa’s lead? 

Make a list of festive purchases – from gifts to food and drinks.

Work out how much you can comfortably afford to spend on each item or category of expenses, then add up the total cost. If it all looks a bit over the top, be prepared to cut back.

Importantly, resist the urge to spend more than planned when you’re out shopping.

Tip #2: Don’t feel obliged to buy everyone a gift

With Australians each planning to spend an average of $660 on Christmas gifts[1], the cost of presents can quickly add up.

Here’s the thing.

A survey by the Australia Institute found close to one in two Australians say they don’t want people to buy them a Christmas gift[2].

It not that these Aussies aren’t sharing the spirit of Christmas. It’s just that one in three of us expect to receive gifts we either don’t want or will never use[3].

This ‘giving for the sake of giving’ leads to tremendous waste.

Around $921 million worth of presents are binned, donated or regifted each year.

To avoid both the financial and environmental fallout, ask friends and family what they would like for Christmas.

If they say “nothing”, maybe take them at their word.

Plenty of us are happy just to share good times with people we love without any expectation of a present.

Tip #3: Allow for regular bills and expenses

There’s no doubt Christmas is special.

After all, what other time in the year can we legitimately eat leftover pavlova for several days in a row?

That said, regular bills don’t stop for the festive season.

Remember to make room in your yuletide budget for home loan repayments or rent, plus power, water and phone bills.

Having the funds available in your everyday bank account to meet these payments can help you avoid late fees, or worse, having to talk to your bank at a time when you’d rather be chatting with friends and family.

Tip #4: Look for ways to save

We often read about the value of ‘not sweating the small stuff’.

However, it’s true that small steps such as skipping a daily cappuccino or bringing lunch to work can provide savings.

But to really ramp up savings across the festive season and beyond, it’s worth putting your home or investment property loan under the spotlight.

Even a small reduction in the rate you pay can deliver a sleigh load of savings and improve your personal cash flow.

If you have some downtime between now and Christmas, give the team at Our Broker a call on 1800 913 677. As mortgage professionals, the Our Broker home loan experts can crunch the numbers to show how much you could save by switching to a new loan or lender.

Tip #5: Assess if your home is still right for you

The end of each year is always a time for reflection, and it’s an opportunity to consider whether your home continues to meet your needs.

If the holiday season sees your home packed to the rafters as a result of a growing family, or alternatively, if you’ve found a once-bustling family home is now empty because the kids have grown up and moved away, it could be time to think about selling and buying a new place better suited to your current needs.

It can be a way to ensure your money is being used to fund the home that’s right for you.

Or, you may decide to invest in a holiday home – somewhere the whole clan can get together to make great memories every Christmas. It can give your wealth the boost of long term gains in property values while delivering cost savings on seasonal holiday accommodation.

Whatever your property needs, the Raine & Horne team can help you find the perfect place, one that lets you enjoy special times – today, tomorrow and into the future.

From all of us at Raine & Horne, we wish you and your loved ones a very merry Christmas and prosperous 2025!

[2] https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/oh-you-shouldnt-have-christmas-gift-waste-expected-to-top-900-million/

[3] https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/oh-you-shouldnt-have-christmas-gift-waste-expected-to-top-900-million/