The month of April is the season of Sinhala & Tamil New Year celebrations in Sri Lanka. Certain years are not the same where we could just go out splurging and shopping. We are reeling under the effects of the economic crisis that has created so much of chaos in our lives. Yet, these festivals are an integral part of our traditions and celebrating them even in a small way may bring in some sense of normalcy and happiness to our lives. In the light of current situation in our little island, we at Lady.lk decided to compile an article about how you can celebrate the festivities without breaking the bank. ,
1.Set a budget Yes! It all begins with a budget. On the contrary to earlier years, when you might have had a ton of fun, the current scenario necessitates a little restraint. So, while it may sound boring, making a budget for the festival spending is essential. When you have a budget, you can arrange the required purchases based on priority and necessity. A budget allows you to figure out how much money you want to spend over the festive period and most importantly, what you want to spend it on. It will help you cut down the least required things. And, if you need to find extra money in your budget quickly, consider temporarily eliminating a couple of items, such as eating out at restaurants.
2.Look for online/offline deals It’s no secret that the economy has been struggling in recent months. Both online and offline businesses would have unsold items and there are several clearance sales taking place on both online and offline stores. It might be beneficial to look for fantastic deals for your avurudu shopping. When shopping online, compare prices from several websites to find the perfect deal. Keep an eye out for the beginning of shopping festivals. And besides that, buying from small businesses may get you better deals as these businesses have suffered the most. They may be ready to offer discounts to get their businesses back on track. All in all, make sure everything you’re buying is something you will use and love, not just an impulse purchase because it’s on sale.
3.Cook goodies at home Food and Festivals are two things that are inseparable in any culture. If you want to save money, consider cooking at home. It is not only good for health, but it can also save you a considerable amount of money. Purchasing sweets from outside is convenient, but it will come at a cost.
4.Buy in bulk and stock up early You can save a lot of money by planning ahead on purchases. Advance planning helps you to combine trips to the store, saving you money on fuel and reducing your chances of making impulse purchases. Things like groceries can be purchased in bulk because you never know when you’ll need a little more during a festival. It’s better to buy all the important stuff in bulk for the full month together. Sometimes you get a discount on bulk orders too.
5.Organize parties and get-togethers at your house. Festive season is a time to unwind, spend time with friends and family, and generally have a good time. Instead of queuing in front of pricey restaurants, you can throw a house party where all your friends or family can get together and have a good time, enjoying good food and good company. Since potlucks are popular these days, you can recommend doing something similar around this time, when all the party visitors bring their own foods and make it a buffet for everyone. Finally, remember to focus on the memories rather than the things. It is best to have a realistic image of how things will unfold for you in the near future and stick to a minimal budget throughout the festive season to ensure you enjoy it as much as possible!
