Holiday Spending Made Simple: Smart Credit Card Tips and Budgeting Tools for a Joyful Season

Published on : 12/16/2025

Holiday Spending Made Simple: Smart Credit Card Tips and Budgeting Tools for a Joyful Season

The holiday season brings joy, togetherness, and opportunities for giving and celebrating. This year, holiday sales are expected to surpass $1 trillion (National Retail Federation), with the average shopper planning to spend $1,107 (NerdWallet). 

At Bangor Savings Bank, we offer financial tools and resources to support your holiday spending and help you start the new year with confidence.

Holiday Spending Tips: Find the Best Credit Card for Secure, Rewarding Shopping

The credit card you choose can make a big difference in keeping your spending secure, organized, and rewarding.

From gifts and décor to travel plans and supporting local businesses, picking a card that matches your spending style can make the experience easier. Different card options support different priorities, from maximizing rewards to keeping interest rates low. Built-in protections, such as fraud monitoring and secure digital payment options, offer added peace of mind.

As you check off items on your holiday list, features like purchase tracking can help you stay on budget. According to NerdWallet’s 2025 Holiday Spending Report, 74% of shoppers plan to use a credit card this year. Choosing a card that supports your goals can help you focus on enjoying time with loved ones—and reduce the stress of deciding which card to use.

Budgeting & New Year Planning: Card Features and Programs to Help You Spend Smarter 

Along with selecting the right card, choosing the right tools can help you enter the new year with clarity and confidence. These strategies and features can help you stay on track with your long-term financial goals:

  • Budgeting tools, spending trackers, and mobile alerts to monitor expenses during the holidays.
  • Low-rate or cash-back credit cards to help pay down balances or earn rewards.
  • Everyday card features like automatic payments with flexible due dates and detailed transaction histories for easier decision-making.
  • Secure payment options and fraud protection for peace of mind during high-volume online shopping, anytime, anywhere.

Why plan ahead? NerdWallet’s report also found that 31% of holiday shoppers carried balances for months afterward, and about 40% prioritize rewards when choosing a payment method. Smart choices today can help you enter the new year with a plan in place.

everblue® Credit Cards: Low Rates, Rewards & Local Shopping Benefits

Our everblue® Credit Card suite is designed to help you unlock the full potential of every purchase, with features and programs that support a wide range of financial goals—from simplifying holiday spending to maximizing everyday rewards. With everblue®, customers can choose from a variety of options, including:

  • Low-rate cards for manageable monthly payments and lower interest costs.
  • Rewards and a cash-back card to maximize every purchase and earn more value.
  • Cards with no annual fee for simplicity.

Customers with a Bangor Savings Bank deposit account or personal loan can manage their everblue® Credit Card directly in the Bangor Mobile app, with features like transaction and balance reports, as well as secure mobile payments, lock card option, place travel plans, and redeem rewards—all helpful options during the busy holiday season and as you make plans for the year ahead.

Local Shopping in Northern New England: Community Expertise & Buoy Local® Support

The holiday season is an important time for small businesses in Northern New England. Every time you choose to shop local, you’re strengthening our communities and supporting the businesses that make them unique.

If you’re looking for ways to make those purchases go further, Buoy Local® is a mobile-app-based rewards program for Bangor Savings Bank debit cardholders. It connects you with participating businesses and offers rewards for shopping close to home.

Business Solutions for Seasonal Spending & Employee Appreciation

While individuals are planning ahead, businesses also need smart solutions to manage seasonal spending and show appreciation during the busiest time of year.

Bangor Savings Bank offers businesses a suite of solutions designed to support spending during the holiday season and throughout the year, including:

These tools help businesses stay organized, strengthen financial management, and support their employees.   

Ready for the New Year? 

With the right tools and planning, holiday spending can remain joyful and set the stage for a confident financial new year. 

Explore our everblue® Credit Cards and other financial tools, and reach out for help finding the option that’s right for you. Schedule an appointment or visit a local branch—at Bangor Savings Bank, we’re here to make your holiday season and new year brighter, because You Matter More®.
 
Written by:
Kristen Vilasuso, SVP & Director of Card Solutions, Bangor Savings Bank

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