September might feel a bit early to be talking about the holidays, but when it comes to your budget, “early” is exactly the right time.

Between gifts, travel, food, and festivities, the holiday season can put a serious strain on your finances. That’s why taking the time to plan ahead now is one of the smartest things you can do to protect your wallet and enjoy the season stress-free.

Here are five simple ways to start saving for the holidays before the spending begins.

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1. Start with a Holiday Budget

It’s easy to lose track of spending during the holidays—a hot chocolate here, a new set of Christmas decorations there. That’s why setting a holiday budget early can save you a lot of stress later.

Start by writing down all the expected expenses:

  • Gifts for family, friends, coworkers, or teachers
  • Travel costs (gas, flights, hotels)
  • Party food, baking ingredients, or dining out
  • Decorations, gift wrap, or new clothes for events
  • Extra utility costs from hosting or holiday lights

Once you have a rough estimate, you’ll know how much you need to save — and where you might be able to cut back. Check out our free monthly savings calculator below to figure out your savings goal.

Use a Monthly Savings Calculator

2. Open a Christmas Club Savings Account

One of the easiest ways to plan ahead is with a Christmas Club savings account at American State Bank.

Here’s how it works:

  • You make small deposits throughout the year
  • In October, we send you a check for the full balance
  • You can use your savings to cover holiday shopping—no need to dip into your regular account or rely on credit

Christmas Club accounts include:

  • No monthly fees
  • Earned interest on your balance
  • Optional automatic transfers for hands-off savings

Learn More About Christmas Club Accounts

3. Set Up Automatic Transfers

Consistency is key. And saving money is easier when you don’t have to think about it. Set up a weekly or monthly automatic transfer from your checking account to your holiday savings. Even small amounts add up over time:

  • $10/week = $520 by the holidays
  • $25 twice a month = $600 by December

This helps you avoid that end-of-year financial crunch, and you might not even notice the money is gone. Not enrolled in online banking? Set it up and easily manage all your accounts in one place!

Enroll in Online Banking with ASB

4. Shop Early and Strategically

When you shop early, you have more time to:

  • Compare prices
  • Watch for deals and coupons
  • Shop local and support small businesses
  • Avoid the shipping delays and price hikes of last-minute buying

Plus, spacing out your purchases means you’re less likely to put everything on a credit card and face a big bill later.

5. Track Your Holiday Spending

Once the shopping begins, keep a running total of what you spend.

You can use:

  • A notebook or envelope system
  • A holiday budgeting spreadsheet
  • Budgeting apps like Mint, Goodbudget, or EveryDollar
  • Brella®, a free app that helps you keep tabs on your card activity in real time

Tracking helps you stick to your plan and avoid accidentally buying three gifts for the same person.

Since you’ll be swiping your card all over town (and online), it’s smart to use an app to keep an eye on things. Brella® sends instant alerts when your card is used, lets you turn it off if it’s lost or stolen, and helps you find nearby ATMs. ASB cardholders also get access to a wider surcharge-free ATM network, thanks to Shazam’s Iowa roots.

It’s an easy way to stay in control and avoid those “how did I spend that much!?” moments.

Learn More About the App Here

Why Early Planning Pays Off

When you start planning early, you give yourself time to:

  • Build up savings gradually
  • Shop on your schedule (not the store's)
  • Make thoughtful gift choices
  • Avoid last-minute debt or stress

Even if the holidays feel far away now, a little effort in September or October can make a big difference in how you feel—and spend—in December.

Helpful Holiday Savings Tools

Whether you want to build savings or stay on budget, here are some tools to check out:

Celebrate Without the Stress

You don’t need to spend big to make the holidays feel special. With a plan, a budget, and a little help from American State Bank, you can celebrate without overspending.

Ready to start saving early? Open a Christmas Club account today—and give yourself the gift of peace of mind.

Open a Christmas Club Account Today