(NAPSI)—Shopping for the holidays is more expensive than ever. With Americans carrying more debt than ever before, many are expected to spend $18.5 billion using third-party buy now, pay later (BNPL) services for holiday purchases according to data firm Adobe Analytics.

Today’s shoppers want and need meaningful ways to save money without having to completely sit out the holiday season or being able to participate in the merriment of gift giving. 

To help, here are six tips for saving on essentials that can let you put your hard-earned money toward thoughtful holiday gifts for friends and family:

Tip 1: Make a list and check it three times—Take the time before you start surfing the Internet or leave the house to jot down your gift ideas and keep an eye out for Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, which can help spread out the shopping and hit to your bank account. 

Tip 2: Reduce your monthly expenses—One way is to eliminate your phone bill completely by signing up for TextNow’s free phone service. TextNow makes phone service free, easy, and accessible to all and is the only mobile provider to offer unlimited calling and texting, plus free essential data on the nation’s largest 5G network.

TextNow also offers Flexible Data Passes which give consumers the option to add on to a free plan without paying for a long-term contract. This ensures easy access to much-needed data-heavy apps, such as social media, but lets consumers closely monitor usage and budget all within the app. Simply open the app to make all your calls and send texts.

Tip 3: Use cash instead of credit cards—This will help you stick to a budget and curb impulse purchases. 

Tip 4: Redeem rewards and leverage coupons—Savings from reward points, coupons and special offers can really add up, helping your money go even further. As you plan holiday shopping, and look for smart ways to save, a great resource is TextNow Perks which houses a wide range of exclusive in-app deals, discounts, and freebies including McDonald’s, HBO Max and Hulu. 

So, while you scale back on your phone bill, you also gain exclusive benefits and discounts at your target shopping destinations for the holiday season. Sounds like a win-win. TextNow Perks is free thanks to in-app ads. Just as with streaming services, ads keep the service and opportunity to leverage much-needed holiday perks free.

Tip 5: Create a realistic budget and opt for homemade or DIY gifts—Everyone loves a personal gift that’s one-of-a-kind. Plus, going this route can help stretch those holiday dollars even further. 

Tip 6: Save time as well as money—TextNow makes phone service simple. No need to visit a brick-and-mortar store. Get phone service from home in three simple steps:

1. Get the app: Download the app to start calling and texting immediately on Wi-Fi.

2. Order a SIM Card: A one-time purchase of a SIM card for $4.99 unlocks free calling, texting, and essential data on the nation’s largest 5G network.

3. Choose your data plan: Add data only when you need it, right from the app. Flexible hourly, daily, or monthly data options. Change or cancel plans anytime.

Learn More

For further facts and stats, visit www.TextNow.com.

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