How to Keep From Overspending This Christmas

As soon as the sugar rush fades from all of the Halloween candy, it's time to deck the halls. Yep, it seems as though Christmas is tomorrow! With the stores announcing holiday sales and the children television channels all promoting the newest toys and gadgets, one can only strap on your seat belt and prepare for the yearly Christmas Spender Bender. So, with that said, I thought I would share some of my tips with you that I am either doing this year or have done in the past.

CHRISTMAS FUND:

Start a separate savings account and have a set amount from your checking every month automatically deposit into the savings account year round. By the time Christmas comes, you'll have Christmas money without going into your checking account.

TRACK YOUR SPENDING:

Cash out most of the money from the account and put it in an envelope. Take the envelope with you everywhere you go, in case you stop somewhere and shop for gifts. It is also nice to use cash to pay for gifts and using the envelope method keeps you from overspending.

MAKE A LIST:

Have friends and family give you their list of what they want for Christmas. Try to add things that you know your going to buy people. Keep the wish list with you at all times and put it n your envelope. Again, keeps you from overspending, helps you stay on target, helps you spend less time in stores.

SHOP DURING THE WEEK:

Shop during the weekdays and not ton the weekends or holidays. Go after work or even during your lunch break. It will be crowded in stores, shelves will be a whole lot messier and not to mention the parking lots. Use the weekends to decorate your house, wrap presents, do some baking, on line shopping, etc.

SAVE TIME:

Before you head out to do your actual shopping for any particular item, call around to stores first to see if they have it.