The spring holiday is very joyous but also brings with it a rise in expenses – multi-party holiday meals, cleaning, clothes, house painting, gifts, entertainment, and excursions. The unique expenses for the holiday span many areas, making it difficult to keep control. Actual planning and monitoring are the only way to control your finances, especially at this time.
Whitewash the House Only If Necessary
A house doesn’t need to be whitewashed twice a year, so take a moment to think: Is whitewashing really necessary? If you decide it is, put effort into finding the store where you will buy the paint, lime, and other necessary equipment. When you begin the process of whitewashing the house, small paint repairs can easily turn into an expensive renovation. If you intend to renovate, do so within a predetermined budget; you can use tips for economical renovation.
Save Water Even When Cleaning
Passover cleaning is characterized by increased water usage for washing and thorough cleaning of the house. It is important to remember that saving water can be significant for both your wallet and the environment. Therefore, it is advisable to wash the vehicle and balcony using a bucket instead of a hose. Make sure all faucets in your home have water-saving devices installed, and only operate the washing machine and dishwasher when they are full.
Purchase in (Small) Quantities
The pre-Passover period is characterized by concentrated shopping and heavy expenses for cleaning products and food. Despite the tempting holiday deals, it is important to remember that there is no need to buy cleaning products in bulk, and you can make do with the usual amount you use for cleaning the house.
In the food sector, too, there is a tendency to buy in bulk ahead of Passover. Remember, stores are open during Chol Hamoed, so there’s no need to overdo your purchases. Buy what you need before Passover, and fill in the blanks later.
Plan Your Accommodation
Plan your accommodation and holiday meals in advance. How many people are coming? For how many meals? When will you stay with others? Purchase only the required quantity. Important tip: Ask each guest to bring something with them. Anyone can be responsible for a dish or help with buying, so the burden will not only be on the hosts, but will be distributed logically and equally.
Make a List and Then Buy
Planning ahead and having organized lists will help you get through the holiday safely. Define the menu for all holiday meals in advance, think about what food products and equipment are needed for them, and prepare a detailed shopping list. Think about what categories you can save on: Is there really a need to renew your family’s entire wardrobe? Do you need to invite the entire extended family for the entire holiday, or can meal preparation be divided between the different families?
Arrive Ready for a Journey Through the Supermarket
Shopping at the supermarket becomes a complex journey during the holidays, which usually amounts to hundreds of shekels (and even more). Arrive at the supermarket equipped with a detailed list that will include all the products you’ve decided to buy. Shopping is recommended at the beginning of the week, and if possible, preferably in the morning. This way, you can take the time to compare prices and products without the stress that characterizes shopping on weekends and especially in the period leading up to the holiday.
Buy What You Need
As Passover approaches, supermarkets offer all kinds of discounts and deals, so be careful not to be tempted to buy something just because “it’s on sale” – unless the product is listed on your shopping list and there’s a real need for it. Check whether the 3-for-10 type deals actually significantly reduce the price per unit, and only buy on sale if they do. Be aware that savings packaging should only apply to non-perishable products. If you’re interested in buying a particular product on sale, it is important to pay attention to the expiration date.
Arrive at the supermarket full, relaxed, and without children. When buying, look at the lower shelves, where the cheapest products in the category are located. Check the quantity in relation to the price and don’t just be impressed by the size of the package.
Additionally, it is recommended not to buy in installments so as not to lose control over expenses. After all, we’ll have to buy food next month too. If, nevertheless, you decide to divide your purchase into installments, it is recommended to track the expenses and spread them over as few payments as possible.
Consult on the Subject of Kashrut
You should ask the rabbi before buying fancy kosher products. There are things that don’t need to be kosher for Passover at all, so there’s no need to buy new ones; you can use existing ones. For example, cleaning supplies and disposable utensils. Some products, in the opinion of many rabbis, don’t require kosher for Passover, such as cosmetics and medicines (unless they are sweet), so there’s no need to throw away these products, and they can be preserved for use after the holiday. Consult your rabbi – you can probably save quite a bit.
Eating at Home the Week Before Passover
Many families prefer to buy food outside the week before Passover to avoid bringing extra chametz into the house. Buying meals out for the whole family during this week can cost hundreds of shekels. Instead, you can concentrate all the leavened products you want to “eliminate” before the holiday and prepare frozen dishes or light meals in advance during this busy week.
Use Gift Cards Wisely
While most people receive gift cards as a free holiday gift, proper use of gift cards can increase the value we get from them if we adopt wise consumer behavior. First of all, it is important to read the fine print and check whether there are restrictions on their use, such as “no double offers,” time limits, or reduced value in certain places. Often, the very existence of gift cards causes us to purchase more products than we had planned. Gift cards do not constitute excess money, but rather an additional means of income and should be treated accordingly. It is recommended to stick to your shopping list in advance and use the gift cards for your planned purchases. It is also a good idea to leave the gift cards in your wallet or another conspicuous place so that their existence doesn’t fade from your memory.
Additionally, it is important to know that marketers cannot demand or impose any qualifications not indicated on the gift card or in the letter accompanying it. If you encounter cases where the business changes the terms of the gift card illegally, contact the person responsible immediately and demand a correction. If necessary, you can contact the Commissioner of Consumer Protection or other consumer bodies that will assist you in protecting your rights.
Budget Holiday Gifts in Advance
As the holiday approaches, we tend to buy gifts – for our spouse, the hosts, and of course, the children. This expenditure may be higher than usual in the family budget. Therefore, gifts should also be budgeted in advance. Decide how much you want to spend and don’t be tempted to spend more. Try to think about the recipient – what they would like to receive and what their taste is, and choose the gift accordingly. It is recommended to attach a gift receipt to allow the recipient to exchange it if necessary. Sometimes, a modest gift with a heartfelt blessing is “worth” more.
As for the Afikoman – decide in advance how much you can and want to invest in it. In some families, parents decide together with their children on a gift or money in advance, but you should stay within the budget you decided on in advance.
Planning the Trips and Entertainment of Chol Hamoed
Chol Hamoed days are an opportunity for trips and family vacations. To save and reduce accommodation costs, you can go on vacation in a tent in nature or rent an apartment for a few days. These are much cheaper options than paying for a hotel.
For saving tips for vacationers >>
Additionally, it is important to understand that children are mainly looking for “experiences,” so instead of spending hundreds of shekels on an attraction that will satisfy this need, you can also enjoy free tours and look for cheap and free places during the holiday. For this purpose, you can use the websites of local councils, which usually list activities and performances during this period. If you do decide to combine a paid attraction, visit the venue’s website first to check for discounts or attractive coupons.
