If the festivities are bogging you down, especially the thought of all that expense, then we've got news for you. This Diwali doesn't have to burn holes in your pocket if you are smart about it, you know. Here's what you can do to live it up this Diwali without wiping your wallet dry.

Mix and match makeovers

Who says you have to blow up a fortune on a Diwali ensemble? Bring out last year's outfits. Mix and match to create a brand new look! Add on a heavily embellished border to an old saree, delicate embroidery to a classic kurta or just simply use a colourful silk dupatta to jazz up a plain outfit. Complete your look with the perfect accessories. No, we're not telling you to buy gold when the prices are sky-rocketing. Choose artificial jewellery instead, just nothing over-the-top, and no one will know the difference.

Festive hampers

The conventional festive hampers are overdone and can be a real rip off. Make your own hampers this year. Go as elaborate as you want, and even customise your hampers for those special people, for half the cost! Rope in your kids, cousins and friends to help with the sweet-making and packaging.

Smart shopping

If you are the kind who gets carried away with sales, beware because every second store is having a festive sale right about now. You don't want to land up with discounted appliances that you are never going to use, do you? Tighten those purse strings by making a list of all the people you need to buy gifts for and put a budget to each name. Stay clear of all buy-now-pay-later items and stick to the list! Before you step out, don't forget to leave those credit cards behind.

Deck your home

Ditch the home renovations and spice up your décor with cool accessories. A couple of funky printed cushions can really liven up that dull sofa and an ethnic shawl can double up as a great throw. Pick up some handmade diyas from NGOs to light up your home. The money you spend is for a good cause after all.

Go green

An eco-friendly Diwali means loads of money saved. Give the crackers a miss and you'll be a little richer. But if you really must light a few of those fireworks to please the kids, get your neighbours together and have a cracker-pool with the noiseless, less polluting ones.

Potluck!

Don't run up a huge bill dining at a swanky restaurant. Throw a Diwali party at home and let your family and friends share in the celebration by bringing their own dish along. You'll have a variety of scrumptious delicacies to dig into. And the best part is everyone shares the cost and you don't land up slogging it out in the kitchen.

Once that's taken care of, bring out that pack of cards and get the party started. Just leave the money out of it or reduce the stakes. You'll save money and have less worried faces around you too.

So go ahead and have a money-smart Diwali!