Time-Saving Tips for the Holiday Season from Bank of America #getbackmtm (& $50 Giveaway Ends 12/27)

The holidays are usually all about rushing and spending money that I wanted to share a few time-saving tips for the holiday season.

1. Set up a Babysitting or playdate exchange – Gain kid-free time to complete last minute holiday shopping and preparing by coordinating a playdate exchange with another family.  (No more wrapping presents at midnight!)
2. Make sure the item you need is in stock (especially if it is a hot item) before you waste your time trekking to the store.  Many stores now offer online purchasing where you can pick-up directly in the store usually with express pick-up lines.  If your store doesn’t offer that, make a quick call and ask them to check store inventory and put it on hold if they can.
3. Wrap it up: Socialize and wrap up your holiday duties by inviting your friends over to chat, nosh and yes, wrap gifts! Everyone brings a roll of wrapping paper, ribbons and other decorative elements to share with the group. Also, watch for “free gift wrapping” promotions from online merchants. Sometimes you may have to spend a certain amount to get the promotion to kick in, but it may be worth it given the time you’ll save on the backend.
4. No more backtracking! A lesser-known “route planner” feature on MapQuest helps you save both time and money by mapping out an entire journey – with multiple stops – all in one convenient step. You can add up to 26 destinations along any route, and the tool gives you the fastest route. Since launching in July, it has saved North Americans more 3.2 million miles!

I also wanted to share a few tips on how using the Bank of America tools can help you save time this holiday season.  Saving time with your bank frees you up to take care of other holiday planning and shopping, or to just re-lax for a few minutes!

1. Online Banking – I signed up for online banking the day I opened my account (seven years ago!) and love it.  I can check my account anytime to make sure I have money to cover all my holiday purchases (and bills).  I also pay all my bills on their secure online banking site so I don’t incur additional costs of mailing bills or paying them late.  The Bank of America online banking system is super easy to use and navigate and whether I am checking my balance, paying a bill, or transferring money – it is all easy!
2. ATM Banking – I know it may be scary but I use my Bank of America ATM more often than an actual teller.  I can pull up and feed checks or cash into the ATM with no envelopes or deposit slips.  Then I print a receipt with the check images right on it and a list of cash deposited on the receipt.  I love that I don’t have to waste time filling out a deposit slip as the ATM validates the check on the back with my information.  I have never had a problem with this and love the esay conveince that I can do it before/after bank hours.
3. Mobile Banking – You can download the mobile banking app and check balances, transfer money, pay bills, and locate ATMs.  You can also sign up text banking where you can send a text message to get your balance instantly in a reply.  My husband uses this on his iPhone since he is on that more than an actual computer!

Want to learn more about time-saving and other finance tips?  Follow @BofA_Tips on Twitter!

VISIT: Check out some Personal Finance Tips from Bank of America.

WIN IT: (1) US winner will receive a pre-loaded $50 gift card from Bank of America that can be used anywhere!

TO ENTER:  Leave a comment answering “What are some ways you get back time during the busy holiday season?”

(Style of the card varies)

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Please leave me a comment for EACH entry. This contest ends December 27, 2010. Thanks everyone and good luck! Also, if you just put a generic comment like “I want to Win” then I will have to disqualify you. Once per household please.

Mama’s Money Savers Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Bank of America and received a Bank of America preloaded gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate. This contest is hosted and fulfilled solely by Mama’s Money Savers.  Please see my Disclosure Policy.