5 easy ways to start saving for the holidays now

The holidays are just around the corner and chances are your bank account isn't ready. Well, it's never too late (or too early) to get your finances in order and start saving for a vacation, and you don't have to do anything drastic. In fact, just being more intentional about your spending and taking the time to plan everything from food to spending money on gifts can help you get your finances in order faster.

Everyone wants to relax and have fun on vacation, but financial worries can ruin every moment. Start planning now, and you'll be surprised how much money you'll save in a few months to make the vacation more enjoyable. Another benefit? You won't have to rush at the last moment to buy a gift and you won't have a big surprise. Follow these tips to start saving now. 1. Unsubscribe from marketing emails, subscriptions and discount sites

Stop discount sites on social media and in your inbox. You don't want to be tempted to buy something you don't need just because it's a good thing. If you really can't live without these sites, at least remove the app from your phone to reduce the temptation. Now is also a good time to review your bills frequently and see what you can cut back on. Check each subscription and record what you earn each month. If you already have a product, pause your subscription. You probably won't lose anything. Cutting even a few can help you save for the holidays.

2. Agree

See if you can fit any payments into your monthly payments. Has your cable, phone or internet bill increased recently? Spend a few minutes calling your suppliers and trying to get the lowest price. Long-term buyers and those considering changing employers may have some luck getting a lower salary. 3. Get rid of the attractive marketing materials

Delete the tempting apps that make you want to "buy" from your phone. Do you open your favorite shopping app when you're bored? Is it easy to order Uber Eats when you don't feel like cooking? So it's time to change your ways, girl.

You can still shop and trade in Italian, but these services will take more steps that can convince you to use a more effective method. Sometimes, that makes all the difference. If you can't bring yourself to delete these apps, put away your credit card. It will force you to slow down and do something extra before clicking "pay".

4. Use gift cards to help you stick to your budget

Get gift cards for the essentials and don't spend anything else. If you want to stop yourself from eating out once a week, invest in a gift card to your favorite restaurant and use it to pay. Once the gift card is redeemed, here is the dining budget for the week. You can apply this technique to almost anything, from Ubers to movies.

5. Make a meal plan

Cara Palmer, financial literacy coach and founder of Cara Palmer Smart Money Tips, says meal planning is an effective way to save money before the holidays. A healthy meal plan can help you save $500 or more every month. First, you are more likely to eat if you don't want to think about what to make for dinner every night or if you already have lunch planned for a day at the office. Second, you're more likely to buy things you don't need and won't use at the grocery store. Without a plan, chances are you'll come home from shopping with food lying around or ending up in the trash.