LGE is closed Wednesday, December 24 at 1 p.m. ET and Thursday, December 25 in observance of Christmas.
LGE Saves the Holidays
The holidays should be full of joy, not stress! To make spirits a little brighter, LGE is sharing simple, budget-friendly tips to help you celebrate without breaking the bank. From creative gift ideas to smart money moves, we’ve got you covered.
Wrap with what you have!
This season, sustainability is in. Instead of buying specialty wrapping paper & ribbons, wrap your gifts with the paper bags, fabric scraps, newspaper, and kids’ drawings you have around the house. With some twine and a pine sprig from the yard, you’re automatically artisan-chic.
Run back the party snacks.
Lots of holiday gatherings? Volunteer to bring the same simple, crowd-pleasing dish to each one: buy the ingredients in bulk, whip up a batch, rinse and repeat. Fewer grocery trips, and you’ll master that recipe by New Year’s.
Power up with points!
Check your credit card points, cashback balances, work perks, and loyalty rewards before you start shopping. You might be sitting on a stash of redeemable funds, and the holidays are the perfect time to put them to use!
Become a two-stop shopper.
Picking just two or three stores to shop your whole gift list reduces impulse buying, shipping costs, and decision fatigue – plus, it can even help build up rewards or discounts!
Practical = Magic.
Instead of guessing what big-ticket item a person might want, pick something you know they need. Gifting their favorite coffee beans, go-to candle scent, or a subscription service credit will always be appreciated and rarely wasted.
Take stock of what's in stock.
Before you head to the grocery store, do a quick scan of your pantry, fridge, freezer, and spice cabinet. You’ll often find plenty of the ingredients you were about to grab “just in case,” which can add up to big savings on your grocery bill.
Don't let bills get caught in the shuffle!
When you’re juggling travel, shopping, holiday plans and more, making your monthly payments can slip through the cracks. Make sure to turn on Autopay for your loans, insurance, and anything else that might benefit from a “set it and forget it” upgrade.
Give the gift of a good time!
Encourage friends and family to exchange experiences instead of items – think movie nights, museum passes, day trips, or classes. The memories you’ll make together will last for years to come, and they might even cost less than a traditional option!
Cook smarter, not harder.
Swap a couple high-draw appliance for small, more efficient options, like using the air fryer instead of the oven for appetizers. Small tools heat up quickly and cook faster, saving you time and money.
Knock some time & interest off your loan!
A principal-only payment – small or large – can cut down on the time (and money) it takes to pay off your loan. Allocating some extra cash at year-end to contribute to your loan’s principal is an extra-thoughtful gift to your future self.