Holiday Sales, Budgets, and Side Hustles

Holiday sales start to show up earlier and earlier every year.  Black Friday has become well known and is not just for your personal purchases.  There are a lot of business-related purchases that can be impacted by these seasonal sales.  That is worth looking into whether you are using up an annual budget or trying to add tools for your side hustle. Holiday Sales and Discounts Most sales are driven by timing.  There are commissions that salespeople want to earn or sales numbers an organization wants to hit.  These are motivations to move a product or service and the buyer can take advantage of it.  However, this goes above and beyond the advertised sales and discounts that appear across all manner of products. For example, I found some deep (50%) discounts on training and conference fees at the end of the year.  These savings amounted to hundreds and maybe even thousands of dollars I was able to use elsewhere.  The discounts had the desired goal.  I probably would not have purchased as much had it not been such a good deal.  That allowed me to study for (and earn) a certification I might have otherwise passed on.  Keep an eye out for discounts that move a product from too expensive into the worthwhile area of your budget. Planning and Early Purchases When we look ahead to the next year there are often purchases we can see coming.  When we get those done sooner rather than later we can often receive discounts.  However, cash-flow can be a problem.  It is worth taking a close look at your year-end budget and spending to determine whether now is the time to buy ahead for the next year.  That applies to subscriptions and licenses as well as other products. Bulk Discounts and Gifts You may find your business in a situation where there is a desire to thank customers or staff.  These are opportunities to buy multiple gifts in bulk, get a seasonal discount, and get ahead of your expenses in the next year.  Not all business items are thoughtful gifts.  However, you might be able to get some extra tablets, headphones, phones, or other items that would also be an excellent gift for your staff.  This tactic may not completely offset the cost of gifts or advance purchases.  On the other hand, a lower overall cost is not something to ignore.

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