As the holiday season approaches, there’s a palpable excitement in the air, and yet, amidst the joy and festivities, there’s often a looming concern for many — the strain holiday spending can put on your finances. But embracing the spirit of the holiday season does not mean you have to empty your pockets; here are several ways on how you can survive the holiday spending.

Creating a budget list

One can never go wrong with making a budget list when going shopping during the holidays. Not only will it save you time in deciding which products and items to buy, but it will also give you an idea of how much you can spend from your budget and how much you can afford before shopping. Creating your budget list can include the presents for your family, the holiday decorations, and packed or canned ingredients for the holiday dinner.

Purchasing gifts and decors during “Ber Months”

Holiday rush is one of the things consumers would want to avoid during the season. Aside from the exhausting late shopping, the prices of gifts and decorations go higher due to consumer demands. That’s why it is practical to go shopping as early as the Ber Months so  you could potentially save more time and money plus avoid being bombarded with the other agendas as the big day approaches.

Taking advantage of sales and discounts

During the holiday season, there is a surge in sales-related promotions because it's the season of gift-giving. While you may not be able to find huge discounts on the items you're looking for, purchasing items on sale can still be beneficial in terms of your budget. With a little research, you can find a range of products that are being offered at a reduced rate, from electronics to clothing, and make the most of the sales season. By taking advantage of seasonal discounts, you can shop smartly and save money while still getting the most out of your shopping experience.

Using credit cards for flexible payment

Credit card and membership programs often offer rewards and promotions that can be applied to your shopping. You can claim these rewards or use accumulated points to purchase items you may need, which can help reduce your overall expenses. Additionally, using credit cards instead of cash can provide a safer shopping experience since you don't have to carry large sums of cash, and you can also keep track of your spending more easily since all your transactions are recorded on your credit card statement.

Aside from that, credit cards are great companions for extra spending needed during the holiday season as they provide convenience, making the shopping experience more enjoyable. In addition, credit cards offer various benefits such as cashbacks and rewards, which you can use in your next purchases. It also offers opportunities for 0 percent interest and better protection against fraud. By using credit cards instead of cash, you can have a safer shopping experience as you don't have to carry a large amount of money.

HSBC offers a credit card promotion for 2023 that is right in time for the holiday celebration and your future travel plans for 2024. It does not only suggest convenience but also instant and quick rewards, such as cash rebates and bonus points that users can claim in a few clicks. They also have a reward offering, the Rudy Project luggages depending on the credit card you will acquire.

Have the chance to take home a 20-inch Virgo Rudy Project luggage with the HSBC Red Mastercard or Gold Visa Cash Back, with only P20,000 minimum spend. You may also have a two-piece set of 20-inch and 16-inch Virgo Rudy Project luggage using the HSBC Platinum Visa with a minimum spend requirement of P40,000. The promo runs from August to November,  and the spending period is 60 days from the card delivery date.

With the HSBC Platinum Visa Rebate, you can earn a five percent rebate on shopping, including online transactions, a five percent rebate on overseas travel spend, as well as one percent on insurance purchases. Full details on the HSBC Platinum Visa Rebate can be viewed here.

Meanwhile, with HSBC Red Mastercard, you can earn four times bonus points for shopping, dining, online, and overseas transactions. You can also receive one bonus point for every P20 you spend. You may visit HSBC’s website for the full details.

Additionally, with the HSBC Gold Visa Cashback, you can have five percent cash back on dining transactions and 0.50 percent on other transactions. It also offers no minimum spend requirement for rebates and automatic crediting to your account. For more information, you may check their website here.

Anyone who is currently employed or self-employed and has an existing locally-issued primary credit card owned for at least six months can apply. Credit card holders are also highly encouraged to be part of the HSBC Social Community.

To take advantage of these great offers and apply for an HSBC credit card today, visit https://www.hsbc.com.ph/