--- title: Tips for Extra Cash Flow at Christmas Time description: Need a little extra cash this Christmas? Before you dip into your savings or rack up charges on your credit card, consider using these tips. image: https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/hubfs/Tips-for-extra-cashflow-at-christmas-time.jpg --- [![Logo](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/hubfs/Logo.svg "Logo")](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/) - [![](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/hubfs/1.%202017%20Assets/Dark_Phone.svg)](tel:+61289083444) [![Talk with us](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/512115/6a87cb2e-17ae-43a1-93c7-da9582e08c36.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/512115/6a87cb2e-17ae-43a1-93c7-da9582e08c36) ##### Accounting & Business Services ##### Wealth Services ##### Lending Sources ##### [Need Real-life Advice?](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/request-a-consultation) [![Talk with us](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/512115/6a87cb2e-17ae-43a1-93c7-da9582e08c36.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/512115/6a87cb2e-17ae-43a1-93c7-da9582e08c36) [![page-1 (5)](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/hubfs/page-1%20(5).svg "page-1 (5)")](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au) - ![](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/hubfs/Assets%20Jan%202019/Images/group-14%20(1).svg)![](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/hubfs/Assets%20Jan%202019/Images/group-17%20(1).svg) - ##### MENU - [![](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/hubfs/Assets%20Jan%202019/Images/phone-call%20(6).svg)![](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/hubfs/Assets%20Jan%202019/Images/phone-call-2.svg)](tel:1300832962) - ##### MENU [![Talk With Us](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/512115/11099956-4246-4311-83f2-64fc6560f370.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/512115/11099956-4246-4311-83f2-64fc6560f370) - [![](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/hubfs/Assets%20Jan%202019/Images/phone-call-2%20(1).svg)](tel:+61%202%208908%203444) - ![](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/hubfs/close.svg) CLOSE - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/altus_financial/) - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/2339369/admin/) - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/AltusFinancial/) - [Business (242)](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/topic/business) - [Strategy (150)](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/topic/strategy) - [Wealth (142)](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/topic/wealth) - [Super (56)](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/topic/super) - [CFO (48)](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/topic/cfo) - [Growth (38)](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/topic/growth) - [Business Succession (25)](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/topic/business-succession) [![Helpful Resources](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/512115/11b7293b-309b-4f1b-af85-27ec1dd19a35.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/512115/11b7293b-309b-4f1b-af85-27ec1dd19a35) Request a Consultation - Close![](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/hubfs/Assets%20Jan%202019/Images/close%20(3).svg) ## Request a Consultation - [Wealth](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/topic/wealth) - [Super](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/topic/super) - [Tax](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/topic/tax) # [Division 296 tax: what high-balance super members need to do now](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/division-296-tax-what-high-balance-super-members-need-to-do-now) From 1 July 2026, Division 296 will introduce additional tax on superannuation balances above $3 million. For many Australians, this will be a marginal change. For high-balance super members, it’s something more significant — a shift that could reshape how sup..... ###### Altus Team #### Latest Posts [Wealth](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/topic/wealth), [Super](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/topic/super), [Tax](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/topic/tax) ##### [Division 296 tax: what high-balance super members need to do now](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/division-296-tax-what-high-balance-super-members-need-to-do-now) [Business](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/topic/business), [FBT](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/topic/fbt), [Accounting](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/topic/accounting) ##### [Common FBT Questions and Answers](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/common-fbt-questions-and-answers) [Super](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/topic/super), [Business](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/topic/business) ##### [Pay Day Super Is Coming: What SMEs Should Be Doing Now](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/pay-day-super-is-coming-what-smes-should-be-doing-now) [Lending](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/topic/lending) ##### [Supporting the Next Generation into Property](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/supporting-the-next-generation-into-property) [Wealth](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/topic/wealth), [Budget](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/topic/budget), [Risk](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/topic/risk) ##### [Rising Insurance Premiums: What’s Really Going On, and What You Can Do About It](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/rising-insurance-premiums) [Wealth](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/topic/wealth) - 6 min read ## [Tips for Extra Cash Flow at Christmas Time](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/tips-for-extra-cash-flow-at-christmas-time) ###### Adam Montana - SHARE: - [**](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/tips-for-extra-cash-flow-at-christmas-time) - [**](https://www.twitter.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.altusfinancial.com.au%2Fblog%2Ftips-for-extra-cash-flow-at-christmas-time) - [**](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.altusfinancial.com.au%2Fblog%2Ftips-for-extra-cash-flow-at-christmas-time) Need a little extra cash this Christmas? With gift-giving, parties and feasts on the calendar, your cash flow may take a severe hit before the new year. But before you dip into your savings or rack up charges on your credit card, consider using these tips. ## Create a Budget Making a holiday [budget ](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/maintaining-your-budget.-whats-the-secret)sounds like throwing cold water on a party that’s just heating up, but it will help you relax and enjoy the season. How much can you afford to spend on gifts? What about travel? How much will you spend on food and dining? Create a detailed Christmas shopping list with budgeted amounts for each gift. And don’t forget to double-check your diary to anticipate items like hostess gifts and contributions to charities. With a smart budget at the ready, you can anticipate expenses and figure out where to make cuts, if necessary. ## Find a Side Hustle Retail stores, catering firms and restaurants all need extra help during the holidays. Why not take on a temporary job and earn some extra cash for Christmas? Sites like [AirTasker](https://www.airtasker.com/) can help you find all kinds of work, from tutoring and delivering groceries to laying tile and building websites. Extra work might make the season feel more hectic, but it’s not forever. And you’ll love starting the new year with a [robust financial outlook](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/financial-stress-simple-strategies-to-overcome-it). ## Eat at Home On average, Australians spend nearly $200 each month on dining out. If you’re concerned about your holiday cash flow, eat in and put that money toward other priorities. You can make eating at home easier on yourself by taking time on the weekends to plan your menus and make sure you have ingredients on hand for the coming week. Websites and apps like [GoodFood](https://www.goodfood.com.au/recipes/meal-plans/weekly-meal-planner-relaxed-spring-recipes-20191029-h1j7pp) provide weekly menu plans, so you don’t have to do all the legwork yourself. When you cook more at home, you may even feel healthier while you save yourself some dough. It’s an easy way to improve your cash flow all year round. ## Utilise Unused Gift Cards One in five of us have at least one unused gift card sitting around, just waiting to be used. Put those gift cards to work by using them for your Christmas shopping this year. And if you have a gift card for a store you don’t particularly like, see if you can swap it with a friend or family member for one you’re more likely to use. ## Invoice Early If you have your own business, stay on top of your invoicing during the Christmas season. With so many events on your schedule, it’s easy to let invoicing languish. “They’ll pay later,” you tell yourself. And while this may be true, “later” is never good for your cash flow. If you don’t send out invoices on time, you won’t get paid on time, and your cash flow will suffer. Instead of waiting until the end of the month to create your invoices, send them out as soon as you finish a job. ## Sell Unwanted Stuff Nine out of ten Aussies have unwanted items sitting around their homes. Instead of hanging onto the clutter, sell those old DVDs and that dusty bike in the garage for some extra cash. Wouldn’t it be nice to reclaim some space and improve your cash flow at the same time? Sites like [Gumtree](https://www.gumtree.com.au/) make it easy to find buyers for your unused stuff, and many people may be hunting for second-hand Christmas gifts this time of year. Make your last few paycheques stretch farther by supplementing your income with the sales from items you don’t use anyway. ## Save For Christmas All Year It might be too late to start this year, but you can avoid cash flow problems for next Christmas by beginning to save in January. Each month, set aside some money for Christmas. You could base the amount on this year’s Christmas budget, or you could shoot for the stars and make next year the best Christmas ever. Make saving easy by setting up an automatic transfer each month from your transaction to your savings account. By this time next year, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the pot of cash waiting for the holidays. It might feel like Santa has visited early! To talk over your personal cash flow issues, or to discuss any other financial topic, [get in touch with us at Altus Financial](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/contact-us). [![New Call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/512115/095d68ce-99c2-48b0-b39c-675b659c6bb0.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/512115/095d68ce-99c2-48b0-b39c-675b659c6bb0) ### **Could Your Business Benefit from an Outsourced CFO?** Set your business on the right path with this simple guide. [Access the Guide](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/cfo-landing-page) ![Could Your Business Benefit From an Outsources CFO_Resources](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/1.Offers/Could%20Your%20Business%20Benefit%20From%20an%20Outsourced%20CFO/Could%20Your%20Business%20Benefit%20From%20an%20Outsources%20CFO_Resources.jpg?width=582&height=386&name=Could%20Your%20Business%20Benefit%20From%20an%20Outsources%20CFO_Resources.jpg) ## Financial insights you won’t delete. Delivered to your inbox weekly. ### Sign up for our newsletter ### **Prospective Business Owner** - Succession Checklist Make sure you’re on the right track with this online checklist. [Access the Checklist](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/prospective-business-owner-succession) ![Business Owner - Succession Checklist_Resources](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/1.Offers/Business%20Owner%20-%20Succession%20Checklist/Business%20Owner%20-%20Succession%20Checklist_Resources.jpg?width=581&height=386&name=Business%20Owner%20-%20Succession%20Checklist_Resources.jpg) #### Featured authors [Adam Montana](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/author/adam-montana) [See all articles](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/author/adam-montana) [Alex Bouris](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/author/alex-bouris) [See all articles](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/author/alex-bouris) [Alex Thomaschuetz](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/author/alex-thomaschuetz) [See all articles](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/author/alex-thomaschuetz) [Altus Team](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/author/altus-team) [See all articles](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/author/altus-team) ###### Have a question for Adam Montana? Connect with the author of this post and they'll get back to you. [Send a message](mailto:adam.montana@altusfinancial.com.au) ![close (1)](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/hubfs/Altus_LP_Images/close%20(1).svg) #### Related Insights [Wealth](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/topic/wealth), [Super](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/topic/super), [Tax](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/topic/tax) - 9 min read ##### [Division 296 tax: what high-balance super members need to do now](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/division-296-tax-what-high-balance-super-members-need-to-do-now) [Wealth](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/topic/wealth), [Budget](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/topic/budget), [Risk](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/topic/risk) - 5 min read ##### [Rising Insurance Premiums: What’s Really Going On, and What You Can Do About It](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/rising-insurance-premiums) [Wealth](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/topic/wealth), [Strategy](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/topic/strategy), [Investments](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/topic/investments), [Asset Protection](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/topic/asset-protection) - 5 min read ##### [The Asset Allocation Life Cycle: How to Live Through Your Investment in 4 Key Stages](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/the-asset-allocation-life-cycle-how-to-live-through-your-investment-in-4-key-stages) [Wealth](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/topic/wealth), [Strategy](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/topic/strategy), [Growth](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/topic/growth), [Investments](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/topic/investments), [Budget](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/topic/budget) - 9 min read ##### [5 Australian Money Books Every Investor Should Read](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/blog/5-australian-money-books-every-investor-should-read) ## Financial insights you won’t delete. Delivered to your inbox weekly. ### Subscribe Here! ![page-1 (4)](https://www.altusfinancial.com.au/hubfs/page-1%20(4).svg "page-1 (4)") ##### Services ##### Company ##### Learning ##### Social © 2022 Altus Financial, All rights reserved. Altus Wealth Pty Limited ABN 55 649 956 212 is an Authorised Representative of Altus Financial Services Pty Ltd ABN 24 637 026 825 an Australian Financial Services Licensee (AFSL no. 520266). Altus Financial Services Pty Ltd is not responsible for the advice, products and services provided by Altus Accounting. Julie Azzi is a credit representative (CR No. 366834) of BLSSA Pty Ltd ABN 69 117 651 760 (Australian Credit Licence 391237).