The spring holiday is very joyous but also brings with it a bloom in expenses – multi-party holiday meals, cleaning, clothes, house painting, gifts and entertainment and excursions. The unique expenses for the holiday are in many areas, which makes it difficult to control us. Actual planning and monitoring are the only way to control your pocket especially at this time.
Whitewash the house only if necessary
Bayit doesn’t have to be whitewashed twice a year, so stop for a moment to think: Is whitewashing really necessary? If you decide yes, put effort into locating the store where you will buy the paint/lime and other equipment. When you start the process of whitewashing a house, small paint repairs can easily turn into a high-cost renovation. If you intend to do a renovation, do it within a predetermined budget, you can use thetips for economical renovation.
Save water even when cleaning
Passover cleaning is characterized by increased use of water for washing and thorough cleaning of the house. It is important to remember that saving water can be significant for our pocket and also for the environment. Therefore, it is advisable to wash the vehicle and balcony using a bucket and not using a hose. Make sure all faucets have spares installed in your home and only operate a 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 commercial quantities 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 also open during Chol Hamoed, so there is no need to overdo your purchases. Buy what you need before Passover, and fill in the blanks later.
Planning your accommodation
Plan youraccommodation and holiday meals in advance. How many people are coming? For how many meals? And when do 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 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 concentrated and organized shopping list. Think about what categories you can save: Is there really a need to renew your family’s entire wardrobe? Do you have 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 detailedlist that will include all the products you have 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 characterize shopping on weekends and especially in the period leading up to the holiday.
Buy what you need
As Passover approaches, the supermarkets offer all kinds of discounts and deals, so be careful not to be tempted to buy because “it’s on sale” – unless the product is listed on your shopping list and there is a real need for it. Check whether the 3-in-10 style deals actually significantly reduce the price per unit and only if they do – buy on sale. Be aware that you purchase savings packaging, things only not non-perishable products. If you are interested in buying a particular product on sale, it is important to pay attention to the expiration date.
They arrived at the supermarket satiated, relaxed and childless. When buying, look on 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.
Beyond that, 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 in installments, it is recommended to make appropriate registration on your expense tracking pages and spread out to 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 do not need Passover kosher at all, so there is no need to buy new ones and you can use existing ones. See value – cleaning supplies, disposable utensils. There are products that, in the opinion of many rabbis, do not require kosher for Passover, such as cosmetics, medicines (not sweet) and in any case there is no need to throw away these products and can be preserved for the days 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 in order not to bring extra chametz into the house. Buying a meal out for the whole family for a week can cost hundreds of shekels. Instead, you can concentrate all the leavened products that 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 receive for 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 the use of the character such as “no double offers”, time limit and / or reduced value of the character in certain places. Often the very existence of characters causes us to purchase more products than we planned. Gift cards do not constitute excess money but an additional means of income and should be treated accordingly. It is recommended to stick to your shopping list in advance and use the characters for your planned purchases. It is recommended to leave the characters in your wallet or other conspicuous place so that their existence does not bloom from your memory.
Beyond that, it is important to know that marketers must not demand or place a qualification that is not indicated on the character or in the letter accompanying it. If you encounter cases in which the business changes the terms of the seal 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 a gift – for our spouse, for the hosts and, of course, for the children. This expenditure may be higher than usual in the family budget. Therefore, gifts must 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 of the gift – what he would like to receive and what his taste is, and choose the gift accordingly. It is recommended to attach a replacement note to the gift to allow the recipient to choose according to their taste, if you did not score. Sometimes a modest gift, but with a heartfelt blessing – is “worth” more.
As for the Afikoman – decide in advance how much you can and want to invest in Afikoman. 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. In order 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>>
Beyond that, it is important to understand that children are mainly looking for “experiences” and therefore instead of spending hundreds of shekels for 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 register activities and performances during this period. If you do decide to combine a paid attraction, go to the venue’s website first and check if there are any discounts or attractive coupons.
