One printable page for Christmas and the rest of the holiday season. List who you're buying for, plan the costs that sneak up in December, and work out how much to set aside each payday so the money is there before you need it.
Download the worksheet (PDF, 215 KB)One page, letter size. Prints fine in black and white. No email needed.
What's on it
- Gifts. Who, the gift idea, a budget for each person, and what you actually spent.
- Everything else. Travel, hosting and food, decorations, cards and shipping, outfits, giving and tips.
- Your saving plan. Your holiday total, minus what's already set aside, divided by the paydays you have left.
How to use it
- Fill in the budget column before you start shopping. It's much easier to say no to a number on paper than to one in your cart.
- Work out your saving plan and set that amount aside every payday until the holidays.
- Fill in what you spent as you go. Over on one gift? Take it from another gift, not from rent.
Starting late is fine. Fewer paydays just means a bigger amount each time, and a partly funded holiday still beats a January credit card bill. For the longer version, read how to budget and save for the holidays.
Rather keep this on your phone?
Beacon Budget sets a little aside for the holidays every payday, the same way it protects your bills. Get Beacon on iOS and Android.
