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Holiday Savings Tips

March 14, 2023

No matter how ready we think we are for the holidays, December always manages to arrive faster than we expect it. And with the average American racking up more than $1,000 in holiday debt each year, there's always more we can do to prepare.

Here are a few tips to help you prepare for holiday spending throughout the year:

1.    Make a List (and check it twice!)

Write down all the people you expect to buy gifts for during the holidays. In addition to close family and friends, don’t forget to include teachers or service workers you interact with as well as any charities you might want to support during the holidays. If it’s too early to know exactly what you want to purchase for every individual on your list, note the price range you would like to stay within for each person—and stick to it!

2.    Watch for deals throughout the year

If there are any larger ticket items you might be eyeing as a gift, it’s good to know the best times of the year for big markdowns. You can figure this out pretty easily when you consider the seasons. In spring comes National Holidays like Presidents Day and Memorial Day, when you can score deep discounts on home goods, small kitchen appliances, and winter wear. Summer brings semiannual sales and it’s a great time to stock up on beauty supplies and personal electronics (Hello, Amazon Prime Day!). Depending on where you live, there are also tax-free shopping days in the lead up to back-to-school. If you take advantage of all the deals throughout the year, you might have everyone crossed off your list before Black Friday in the fall!

3.    Price Check

Maybe you’ve come across a good deal, but is there a greater one on the same product out there? Chances are that there might be. Always check your phone for other deals before making it to the register. And if you’ve already made it that far, don’t be afraid to ask if the store you’re at has a price-match guarantee.

If any of these tips align with your personal savings and spending goals, Iowa State Bank has just the thing to take it one step further. With an Iowa State Bank Holiday Savings Account*, you can squirrel away funds throughout the year and minimize the blow to your bank account by the time "Santa" makes his rounds.

Here’s what you get with an Iowa State Bank Holiday Savings Account:

- Monthly Automatic Deposits

- No Minimum Balance Required

- $10 Opening Deposit

- Funds Paid Out in November

There’s no better time than the present to start saving up for the holidays—talk to one of our Intelligent, Sophisticated Bankers TODAY about opening a Holiday Saving Account!

*Fees & activity restrictions may apply. See a banker for more details.

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