Cut Your Christmas Spending

As Christmas approaches, everyone is looking for ways to fulfill their shopping list without breaking their budget. Here are a few ways that you can try to save money this Christmas, while giving your friends and family some great gifts:

Use Your Credit Card: This goes against what many financial "experts" may advise, but using your credit card could be your greatest saving tool of the season. Many credit card companies are offering special rewards depending upon where you plan to shop. Discover Card is offering 5% Cashback when you use their card at Bookstores, Music Shops, and Restaurants, with an additional bonus if you use the card at certain malls, while Citicard has been advertising 2% Cashback at Department Stores. If you plan to shop at these stores, this could be an additional savings for you with little extra effort. Check your credit card company's website to see if they have any similar promotions. Note that you will probably have to sign up on-line for these programs, even if you currently have these cards (they typically won't give these savings to you automatically). Also, these programs won't save you much at all if you carry a balance on your card after the holidays, so spend wisely!

Use Coupons or Shopping Codes: Whether you're shopping in the store or on-line, it makes sense to check out whether there are any coupons or shopping codes that you can find before making the purchase. Sites such as dealcatcher.com are great spots to find these special savings for stores such as Old Navy, The Children's Place, and Babies 'R Us. One easy way to find the latest coupon or code is to do an on-line search for the store that you are looking for. For example, if you were looking for an in-store coupon for Old Navy, just do the following search "Old Navy in-store coupon" and any of the websites which have this coupon will come up, allowing you to quickly find the most recent printable in-store coupon.

Check Out the Dollar Store: You may think that shopping at the Dollar Store for Christmas presents might make you seem to be a tightwad, but you can pick up some great stocking stuffers and other small items there. Things like baskets, jars, and gift wrap can be found at the Dollar Store for a fraction of the cost of what you would pay at department stores. You'll be surprised at the cute items that can be found at these types of stores.

Browse Discount Stores: Discount retailers such as TJ Maxx and Marshall's have great Christmas sections filled with name-brand ornaments, decorative plates, and other items for prices up to 75% retail. You can find specialty coffees and other luxury items for much less than you would pay at a typical department store. You may have to work to find the deals, though, as you often have to dig through the Christmas section to find what you are looking for.

Comparison Shop: With the use of the internet, comparing prices between stores has never been easier. Sites like Amazon.com carry all sorts of items and often waive shipping costs this time of year, which can make it cheaper than shopping at the day after Thanksgiving sales.