Planning ahead
I am trying to plan ahead for December. There are no classes and no income the last 3 weeks of December. Most folks are too busy planning for the holidays to be attending classes at that time. They are also diverting their income to gifts and travel expenses, rather than on classes for themselves. The obvious plan is to pay December's rent out of savings, due to the lack of income. But I would like to minimize the need for that and I've decided to start paying for all of December's expenses now, while income is up due to the wedding season.
I have already purchased two massage gift certificates from my massage therapist. So massages are paid for when I want them in December. I think I will also purchase a $200 gift card from Whole Foods, so that food is paid for in December (I'll be out of town some of that month, so I won't be needing much in the way of groceries). And I was thinking of also buying a $50 gift card for gas and setting it aside until December. I will also buy a ticket now, for my December travel plans.
What else can I pay for in advance and set aside for use in December, when there is little to no income?
I have already purchased two massage gift certificates from my massage therapist. So massages are paid for when I want them in December. I think I will also purchase a $200 gift card from Whole Foods, so that food is paid for in December (I'll be out of town some of that month, so I won't be needing much in the way of groceries). And I was thinking of also buying a $50 gift card for gas and setting it aside until December. I will also buy a ticket now, for my December travel plans.
What else can I pay for in advance and set aside for use in December, when there is little to no income?
What can I do to be prepared for December?
Gift cards reduce in value over time and there are other hidden costs that make them worth less than face value unless you use them immediately.
Not to mention the company gets the interest on your money.
I'm talking about the cards like from Target or Barnes and Noble that are supposed to be "just like cash", except they are not.
or
buy one of those gift AmEx cards and pay them with that.
I do the same thing you do, and I save my cards for Decemeber each year. I'd get the ones you mentioned and one that is general, like the AMEX ones listed. But be warned that those generally do have a "loading" fee though of $6 or so. But I have found that my malls (they are Simon malls here) have the lowest loading fees, and if it's a VISA branded card it can be used anywhere, not just at the mall.
I like the Target idea, but wasn't sure if you were more of a local shop supporter. Also, I'd get one to a favorite restaurant, for a treat out with friends.