Ayanna Kirton, Staff ReporterTHE HOLIDAY season is marked by homecomings of all sorts.
For many parents of college-aged children the season also means forking out extra cash for plane tickets and just about everything else so that the kids can spend their holidays at home instead of being lonely and homesick in the confines of campus housing.
The cost of an airline ticket is probably the biggest expense for parents. Although it is extremely difficult to find cheap tickets to return to Jamaica for the holiday season, taking advantage of "specials" or discounted fares can minimise costs. Unfortunately, many of the specials are usually limited to flights from select cities.
So unless you live in Montego Bay and your child goes to school in Boston, Baltimore, or Los Angeles, this time of year isn't your best bet for finding discounted fares for direct flights to Jamaica.
One cost-saving technique some students opt for is using a United States (domestic) airline to get to the nearest location to Jamaica (usually Miami) and then fly the remainder of the journey with an international airline to Jamaica.
Very often parents may have been living on their own without the daily expense of a child at home. For some, the added expense of a child returning home may take some readjustment but the money saved while they are away at school can help ease the burden of the returning costs.
SAVINGS
"With my son away at school, we definitely save on things like food and gas," said one mother of a 19-year old son who will be coming home this Christmas.
Last year, her son opted to stay abroad with his relatives in the United States for the holidays and found a job during the summer break.
"I can't wait to see him because we haven't seen each other for a year," she said. "I used his time away to save for the airline ticket and any other little outings he may want to take with his friends," she said.
With all the expenses associated with the holiday season keeping costs down may pose a challenge at this time of the year.
There are gifts to be given and parties to attend and your child will undoubtedly want to enjoy the Yuletide season to the fullest.
It is important to encourage your child to keep their expenses down during the semester in order to save money for the holidays particularly because the Christmas holidays are notorious for expensive parties or concerts.
While the Christmas season may not be the perfect time to teach your children the benefits of cost effective entertainment options, you can suggest that your children minimise the number of expensive parties they would usually attend during the holidays.
Another option would be to get together with friends at home instead of blowing $2,500 on a party that will only last a few hours. The money saved can go towards school supplies or other necessities they may need during the coming semester.
Other suggestions that can make the holiday season a little less severe on your wallet include:
Giving a care package: A collection of simple, yet thoughtful items that friends and family use or enjoy. You can assemble a package of items the recipient may use every day. In every case, it is always appreciated and useful.
Making your own gifts: Calendars, cards, mugs, mouse pads the list goes on. There are many inexpensive software programmes to help you create these personalised items that are inexpensive and thoughtful.
Buying throughout the year: Take advantage of sales particularly if you are able to travel abroad. Throughout the year to pick up items your friends and family will appreciate at gift giving times.
Spreading out your gift shopping also eliminates the high credit card bill in the beginning of the year.
Pictures: Whether it be portraits or a collection of photographs taken through out the year, both can be done very inexpensively and again, very personal and appreciated by the recipient.
Considering extra income throughout the year to fund your holiday plans. Perhaps a part-time job, temporary assignment, or selling things you no longer need are a few ways to earn some extra cash in time for the holidays.
