Most of us spend more money than normal during this time of year, not less. I am certainly no exception, as my Christmas shopping has certainly not been completely free or even much of a success in the bargain hunting department this year. But there are ways to get a few free odds and ends, save a few dollars here and there, or start working on next year’s goal without spending as much as you thought you would spend.
Get yourself a little non-urgent need or want without paying for it
Purses have always been something I refuse to spend a lot of money on. I seem to have collected a pile of evening purses purchased every time I needed to dress up over the past nine years, but for everyday, I carry one purse in a neutral color that goes with everything. I don’t care about labels, and tend to judge purses on whether or not they match my librarian style wardrobe by resembling book bags, and how easily I can carry a book in one of the pockets. My last two purses cost less than $5.00 each from thrift stores and rummage sales.
This past winter, one of my purses was left in an area I did not know had been infested by bedbugs and had to be thrown away. The other was rapidly falling apart. I needed a purse, and I had no money to buy a new one.
I had signed up for both Fetch Rewards and Microsoft Rewards points programs several months ago. All I had to do was make sure to use Microsoft bing for all of my internet searches and make sure that every time I did my grocery shopping or placed any other orders. I checked for bonus points for buying certain brands and made sure to scan each and every receipt. The hardest part was making sure that I wasn’t buying anything I wasn’t already going to buy, and wasn’t spending more money than I would have otherwise spent to get the points.
As the points grew over the span of about seven or eight weeks, a free $25.00 Amazon card from Fetch Rewards, and a free $18.00 Amazon card from Microsoft Rewards began to be in sight. I made sure to do a few extra searches on Microsoft Rewards, and collected my $43.00 in completely free Amazon gift card credit.
The purse I chose was a warm gray nylon bag with multiple deep pockets that does indeed resemble a small book bag. I could use it for a book to read and my writing materials as I worked to grow my writing business. The purse was originally priced at $25.00, but it was on Black Friday sale for $20.00. I threw in a big nylon purple bag for $9.00 and a green makeup bag for $5.00, making my total around $34.00 for all three bags, all covered by my $43.00 credit. Once everything was paid for, I was left with a remaining gift card balance of $5.94.
The purple bag was given away to the first person who asked for it online. The makeup bag will be sold or given away at some point.
The gray purse sometimes looks denim blue, sometimes it is obviously gray. Either way, it goes with everything. Books and notebooks do indeed fit in there. It is my completely free everyday bag, that also generated a free bag for somebody else to use or flip for profit.
Rewards points are never a fast solution. It takes weeks for them to add up to enough to actually get anything for free. But if you could use that one small item, something needed but not urgent, or a small want you cannot afford, combining a couple of free points programs like Microsoft Rewards and Fetch Rewards could be a way to get that item without using any of your money.
Save a few dollars by using gift cards for last minute errands and other things that come up
When we look forward to the two days before Christmas Eve and into Christmas Eve morning, we picture ourselves lovingly wrapping gifts, preparing special dishes, watching Christmas specials, and having little treats while our tree glows softly in the background. When December 22-the morning of December 24 actually arrives, we more often than not find ourselves scrambling around because we realize we forgot to buy a gift bag that fits this one gift we need to take over to our family member’s house tonight, burning the first batch of something, or learning that there’s going to be one more person at dinner, and we’ve been elected to pick up a little gift for them.
Using the website Card Cash can save you a few dollars during moments like this. If you need to pick up that gift or that wrapping or bag from a certain store, Card Cash may have an egift card available to that store at a slight discount. Purchase it, add it to your virtual wallet or account or print it, and use it to do the shopping.
If you need to run out and you do not drive, Card Cash often carries Uber gift cards at a slight discount as well. You won’t be able to get anything completely free this way, but a few dollars to shop and a few dollars for your transportation can really add up this time of year. Sign up for Rakuten in addition to using Card Cash, and you can save a few more dollars on top of the discount you get on your gift card.
I used Uber for my Christmas shopping trips this year, and while it was far from cheap, it was about $5.00 cheaper than it would have been without Card Cash, allowing me to be a little more generous with the tip for the holiday season.
Use Paypal’s savings account to generate some funds for next year
We have a few Christmas traditions in our family. This year, I am starting one of getting up very early to have a special coffee or breakfast, wrap gifts, and stuff stockings. My husband and I already exchange Christmas stockings with our dog on Christmas Eve afternoon, then go over to his brother’s house for Christmas Eve dinner and gift exchange, and finish things up with a Christmas dinner in the same home the next day.
Immediately after, I also seem to have established a tradition of telling myself I’m going to be more organized and prepared for next year. If this has become a rather unwanted tradition for you as well, Paypal may be the tool that can help us both.
Paypal’s debit and savings account offers 5% cash back on the category of your choice each month. If you already have Paypal, set your Paypal savings account aside as a Christmas 2026 account. Put as much money as you have to spare right now into the account. Use your Paypal debit card as you normally would, but set the 5% savings to whatever you spend the most money on when using your Paypal debit card. You will see cash back accumulate throughout the year. As it grows, keep depositing it into your Paypal savings. By the time Christmas shopping season 2026 arrives, you will likely have some free cash to spend on decorations, gifts, and food.
None of these tricks and hacks are going to result in a luxury holiday for free next year or bring back any of the money you already spent for Christmas 2025. But they just might ease the financial burden a little bit.
By Jess Santacroce
Writer/Editor, The 315
Inspiration: Most of the characters in my novels are low income....and money saving plays a part in the plot of my current project in progress.
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