Are you looking to save some money this holiday season? Here are a few good tips.

Set a budget

Holiday spending can get out of control if you don’t plan. Decide how much you can afford to spend on each person you’re buying for and stick to that.

Shop online

There are plenty of places were your can shop for less on the internet. Try places like Half Ebay and Overstock.com. Take the time to comparison shop. It can really make a difference.

Skip the Christmas cards

Save money on mail by sending out holiday cards online. Hallmark has plenty of free ecards to choose from. I also email our family’s year end newsletter.

Read your junk mail

Those fliers you usually toss into the trash without second thought might contain information about upcoming sales and even coupons you can use for your holiday shopping.

Make it yourself

Sometimes homemade gifts are the best. If you are artistic at all you can make your own gifts. Even if you’re not artistic sometimes burning a compilation CD is a great gift. Some people might even appreciate the gift of service. Make up a coupon that is redeemable for your time helping that person with something they might need.

Give a magazine subscription

Give a subscription to a magazine you already get as a gift. Magazines offer discounts at this time of year. Sometimes you can get a whole year’s subscription for just $5.

Skip the gift wrapping counter

Wrap your presents yourself, unless of course the gift wrapping is free. If your offered a free gift box with something take it.

Deliver it in person

When you can, deliver your gifts yourself instead of mailing them.

Take advantage of grocery store sales

During the holidays the grocery store has a lot of sales. Use this time to stock up on non-perishables. You can buy extra turkeys and ham and freeze them for some other time.

Buy for next year

After the holidays everything goes on sale. That’s the perfect time to start buying presents for next year. If you do most of your shopping far in advance, you’ll avoid the holiday stress next year.

Photo by krisdecurtis

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