Go Christmas, Birthday or Anniversary Gift Shopping Well in Advance

The Papers are full of Advertisements and Sales, you can barely turn around in the Stores, your Credit Cards are screaming they are so maxed out and you have had a migraine headache for 3 Days straight. Sounds familiar? Welcome to the Holiday Shopping Season, the 30 Days before Christmas everyone hates. Still we do this to ourselves every year and every year we are swearing up and down that we will never do this again. So why are we putting ourselves through this painful and budget killing experience? Allow me to show you how to safe money, reduce Stress and avoid the last minute rush with these very simple shopping Tips and Tricks.

Look for clearance sales in the off season.
How often have you purchased that hot must have item for Christmas, Eastern or Thanksgiving only have it go on 75% off 30 days after the fact. Certain Items never go out of style and toys for children are welcome no matter what the occasion. Why not purchase that Doll, Toy Car, Game, Hoodie etc during those 75 % off sales and put it away for Birthday or Christmas Gifts the following year.

Buy Decorations and Greeting Cards at flee markets and Swap Meets

You will be amazed how much money you can safe at Flea Markets and Swap Meets. I have been known to purchase Christmas, Thanksgiving, Birthday and all other occasion Cards at Flee Markets for ridiculously cheap prices. Hallmark Cards variety as many as 50 for $7.00. Those were not the Cards you find in a pack either, but separately purchased Cards from stores.

Find Bargains on Ebay or other Auction Sites all year round.
A good Seller knows when they can raise and push their Prices on Auction Sites; they also know when to lower them throughout the Year. Make a list of Interests, Hobbies etc your friends and family are into, and then set a monthly budget you can safely spend for gifts. Bid only a fraction of what you would pay usually for the item, believe me if you have time to find the right gift you don't have to go for broke. I have found collectors books that would cost me $100 normally during the holiday season for $14.99 on off season. Spring Time is a good time to pick up winter related items and autumn great for spring and summer items.

Don't be afraid to bargain.
I make it a habit to bargain in Thrift Stores, Flea Markets and Swap Meets with the People in charge. Often you can get anywhere from a couple Dollars to 20% off an item if you are willing to ask. Show that you are willing to walk away from an item, most people are not willing to let the money walk off. You might want to go on a Day when most people are still working. Sellers often will make deals with you rather then not make any money all day long.

Make it your-self
Have you ever gone to a store; looked at an item and said I could have made this? If you have a creative or crafty side to your personality, more and likely you could have. You will be surprised how much cheaper, more durable, not to mention personalized you can make an item if you have the time to do so. Libraries have hundreds on How-to books. Take advantage of them.

Buy an extra souvenir through your vacation and set it away.
Sometimes you can find 2 for 1 deals during Sales at your Vacation Spot. Why not take advantage of such deals and set the extra item away for a gift at a later date. Not only do you safe money, but also have the added pleasure of recalling a great time when wrapping the present up later.

If you gift baked gifts.
June and July, October, November and December swamps the Arts and Crafts Sections of local Department Stores or Craft Supply Stores with Decoration Items for Cakes and cookies as well as Cutters and specialty Pans. If you wait until you can pick those up for pennies on a dollar. Look for closeout and bargain deals. Use your imagination. Christmas doesn't always have to be red and green..... White and blue are wonderful winter colors as well. Baked goods in baskets with a bit of frill and decorations can make a classy gift basket. Add a nice bottle of wine (look for introduction deals or trial deals throughout the year on websites) and you have a Gift Basket others will envy you.

If you like Trials or samples from products or websites you can ......
you can find some super cheap gifts. Just make sure you cancel the Membership before the Trial period is up. Read the fine print carefully.

Earn Gifts with Survey Sites and Freebie Sites.
Don't think that is possible? It is I have proof. The setback is that you have to have time. You will not make the points overnight, often it takes several weeks or month before you can get the item. Make sure you do your research. I have used several of those Freebie sites and gotten my gifts. I have added a list of legit companies here. Make sure to read the instructions carefully, remember as with everything there is always a fine print or a trick.

By avoiding Rush / Last minute shopping you can enjoy your time and use it for more important things, like pampering yourself, spending time with your family or catching up on your rest. You will be a much happier Person and easier to deal with. Plus you will not only safe money on the discounts and bargain you can find throughout the day, but also on the credit card charges that you don't have to add to your to pay bills.