The holiday season is here which means people will soon be purchasing gifts for loved ones and themselves, if they haven’t already.
According to a 2021 survey conducted by lendedu.com, the average person spends $2,314 during the winter. This is largely due to the holiday season. As a result of so much money being spent during the holiday season, many feel it’s important to keep track of one’s finances. Many KSC students are sharing how they shop during the holiday season while on a student budget.
“The main thing is avoiding the food trap which is getting snacks; that tends to eat your money,” said junior Ben Kelly. “I just try to have the things in mind that I want to eventually afford and save accordingly to that.”
Kelly added that just days prior to the interview he purchased numerous gifts for members of his family. This year he bought CDs which he said last long and are economically efficient.
“I try to think of what’s the best gift I can get with the money I have,” Kelly said. “What will they appreciate that has a long-lasting value that doesn’t necessarily cost a ton.”
First-year Lexi Quinn said she tries to get her shopping done early before stores raise their prices for the holiday season.
“I look for student discounts and that I’m getting gifts for people that they’ll actually like so I’m not wasting money,” Quinn said. “I try to save as much money as I can.”
Junior Aran Testa said he starts budgeting his money for the holidays in October. Testa said he will stop spending money almost completely on himself so that near the end of the year he can save up and spend more on Christmas for his friends and family.
“Because it’s something that I like to do and it feels good, but it’s something I have to prepare for in advance so that I can afford it,” Testa said.
First-year Lily Gross said this year she shopped during Black Friday to take advantage of the sales. Gross wasn’t alone either. Finder.com reported that 32.6% of people aged 18-24 in America planned to go Black Friday shopping this year in an effort to save money ahead of the holidays.
First-year Aley Mercer said that although she isn’t buying gifts for others this season, it’s very important for students to set aside money for themselves.
“That’s your future and you’ll want money in case of emergencies, so I have plenty of money in my savings account in case of an emergency,” Mercer said.
Others agreed that it’s important to also prioritize yourself during the holiday season as well.
“I think it’s important to have some money for things you need or want, like if you want to go to a nice restaurant, but I definitely think that that should be used sparingly,” Kelly said.
“Yesterday I actually went and had to spend some money on myself,” Testa said. “After shopping and spending it all on friends and family, it felt good to pamper myself… so there’s definitely importance in remembering yourself as a person who deserves gifts.”
Hunter Oberst can be contacted at hoberst@kscequinox.com
