7 Smart Ways to Save on Holiday Shopping
The holidays have a way of turning a reasonable gift list into a spending spree. A little planning before the season gets busy can keep the celebrations joyful without leaving a lingering credit card balance in the new year.
1Step one is a single number for the whole season
Before browsing a single store, decide how much you can comfortably spend on the holidays as a whole. That figure should include gifts, but also decorations, travel, special meals, wrapping, party contributions and the small extras that tend to sneak in.
Having one ceiling makes every other decision easier. Instead of judging each purchase on its own, you can see how it fits within the larger plan. It also helps you avoid one of the most common holiday regrets, which is paying for celebrations long after the decorations come down.
Base the number on what you actually have available, not on what you spent last year or what you feel you should spend. Look at your savings and your upcoming bills, and be honest about what's realistic. Write the total down somewhere you'll see it often. If it feels tight, that's useful information now, while there's still time to scale back or talk with family about expectations.