Holiday Savings Tips: It’s the little things.

So you scored some amazing deals on electronics during Black Friday, and found just the perfect fashions for the teenagers on your list during Cyber Monday. Well done. That in itself can feel a bit like a Christmas miracle. But, sleeping well at night knowing that you didn’t overspend on this Christmas is important too. Since you’ve clearly got the deep discounts covered, First Basin Credit Union would like to offer up some of the not so obvious ways you can save as you finish up your holiday shopping.

1. Check for coupon codes online. Simply typing the name of the store and “coupon” into your favorite search engine can find you discounts or free shipping. Sometimes both. So, before you hit submit on that latest online order, open a second tab in your browser and check for a coupon code.

2. Have gifts shipped directly to the recipient. Shipping gifts to family and friends can add up, not to mention all the time spent standing in line at the UPS store this time of year. If you are ordering online, have it sent directly to the recipient. Or, if you are buying from a big box store, see if you can purchase it at a location in the same town as your recipient.

3. If you are traveling at the holidays, have gifts shipped directly to your destination. Spare yourself the TSA guidelines and checked bag fees by just sending gifts on ahead. Or, if you are taking a road trip to see grandma, this means less to pack and less to worry about in the car during your drive. Save even more buy ordering online and taking advantage of free shipping deals.

4. Use up old gift cards. Now is a good time to go through that desk drawer and round up the unused gift cards you have lying around. Chances are, if you have been sitting on a gift card for six months or more, it isn’t something you are going to enjoy using anyway. So, see if you can put those cards to use buying gifts for teachers, service providers like the mail man, and even for giving tree at your church.

5. Hand deliver Christmas cards. With postage costing $.49 for each first class stamp, even delivering 20 cards in your neighborhood will save you a almost ten dollars. Make an event of it: crank up the Christmas songs on the car stereo, or if the weather is nice walk along singing some Christmas carols, and let the kids take turns running from the curb to the mailbox. You might even make some memories while you save a little cash.

6. Get ahead on next year. Talk to your friendly associates at First Basin Credit Union about setting up a Holiday Savings account. By depositing a little bit from every paycheck into an interest-earning account, you’ll be able to spend a little more next Christmas without the dread that can come with the December credit card bills.

We hope our tips help you keep a little more cash in your pocket and bring a little more jingle to your Holiday Season. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from everyone at First Basin Credit Union.