piggy bank with santa hat preparing holiday budget

Prioritizing Your Expenses To Prepare Your Holiday Budget

Get the best out of your holiday by prioritizing expenses on your budget and relying on Delaware Title Loans, Inc. if you need emergency funds! A little planning goes a long way and can help you maximize your funds while preventing the post-holiday financial hangover.

This quick guide will help you understand why prioritizing your expenses matters and how to go about doing it. Read until the end to discover a step-by-step process to prioritize your holiday budget more effectively!

Why Is It Important To Prioritize Holiday Expenses?

Holidays are a time for fun and relaxation, but that’s no excuse to have one without a well-planned budget in place. Instead, you should take some time to prioritize your expenses and plan how you’ll spend your money beforehand.

Here are 3 reasons it’s important to prioritize your holiday expenses:

prioritizing your expenses to prepare your holiday budget

1. Simplifies Budgeting And Saving

When you prioritize your holiday expenses, you’re being honest with yourself about what is or isn’t important. 

This self-honesty helps you budget more effectively. That’s because you’ll save more on things that are less of a priority and have more money for things that are more important.

2. Maximize Your Funds

The joy of a holiday can make everything seem important. But if that’s the case, your money will be spread thin.

Prioritizing helps you maximize your funds by cutting back on what’s less important. Doing so frees up your funds to enjoy even more of the budget items that matter the most!

3. Prevent Post-Holiday Stress

Lastly, prioritizing your spending will prevent the financial post-holiday ‘hangover’. That’s when you return from your holiday and must deal with the consequences of your financial decisions.

With proper planning, you can ensure that your holiday is as joyful as can be even after it’s over.

How Do You Prioritize Holiday Expenses?

Prioritizing your expenses can be challenging, especially if it’s your first time. Don’t worry, though! 

Like many other parts of personal finance, prioritizing expenses is a skill. You’ll improve with time if you follow an organized, step-by-step process.

Here’s a sample 5-step process you can follow to prioritize your holiday expenses:

Step 1: List Everything

The first step to prioritize your holiday expenses is to list everything you’ll have to pay for. That includes small and large expenses you expect to pay for during the holiday period.

Remember: your regular commitments are still ongoing even though you’re on holiday. Things like rent, utilities, and any other bills you must pay during your holiday period must also go on the list.

That way, you’ll ensure that you have enough money to enjoy your holiday while covering your essentials.

Step 2: Cover Essentials First

Now that you have a complete list of expenses, it’s time to prioritize them. 

Your essentials should be at the top of the list. That includes things like rent, utilities, and others you must pay attention to.

woman with holiday cash

Step 3: Transportation And Accommodation

The next priority should be your transportation and accommodation expenses. These two are critical to making your holiday possible, so they are a top priority after your essentials.

Step 4: Food, Drinks, And Experiences

Now that you’ve sorted your top priorities, you can set aside money in your budget for day-to-day expenses.

That means setting money aside for the meals you’ll have on holiday. Then, you should also budget for experiences like tours, excursions, and sightseeing.

Step 5: Plan For Emergencies

The final priority on your budget must be for emergencies and unexpected costs. You must plan for these things even though they’re unpleasant to consider while on holiday.

Emergencies may or may not happen. That means you don’t have to allocate too much of your budget to them. However, you must have some backup funds and a way to borrow emergency money if necessary.

Two examples you can consider are title and signature installment loans. Both are quick and easy to get while only requiring a few items.

Still, they have some differences that set them apart, which are the following:

  • Title loans: This type of loan can give you access to up to $15,000 using your lien-free car title as collateral. You’ll get to keep your car, but you must bring it in for a quick inspection to complete the process. Besides the title, you’ll also need your driver’s license to get a loan.
  • Signature installment loans: This type of loan doesn’t require collateral and can let you access up to $1,250. You can get one with your driver’s license, proof of income, and a checking account statement in your name.

Depending on your circumstances, one of these options is more suitable than the other.

Get Emergency Funds Now!

The sooner you start prioritizing your expenses, the better your holiday budget will be. Remember that you can turn to Delaware Title Loans, Inc. for emergency funds.

Take the first step by filling out the online form with your information. Submit it and wait for a representative to call you soon after. They’ll guide you through the process and help you complete it as soon as possible.

Note: The content provided in this article is only for informational purposes, and you should contact your financial advisor about your specific financial situation.

Emma Frost

Emma Frost is a lifestyle and finance blogger with a talent for communication and a passion for financial literacy. She uses her writing talents to explore topics that help her readers gain financial stability and growth.