Holiday Budgeting and Spending Tips for a Debt-Free Season

If you’re still paying off the bills from last year’s holiday merriment and wondering how you’re going to afford anything this year, we’ve got a list for you.

Our 133 money-saving tips – from food to gifts, entertainment to travel – will help you find ways to keep the holiday spirit with less holiday stress on both you and your wallet.

Holiday Budgeting Tips

1. Plan Your Holidays: The more organized you are, the more money you’ll save. Make a list of everyone you have to buy gifts for and decide how much you can spend. List decorating, entertaining, travel, and other holiday spending pitfalls as well, and how much you can afford to spend on them. The more prepared you are for the expenses, the easier it will be to rein them in.
2. Create a Budget: Decide how much you can spend on gifts, decorating, food, cards, travel, and all other holiday expenses. Then stick to your limit. Use a budget-tracking app, or an app specific to holiday lists (there are many) if you need help staying the course. However you do it, keep your budget up to date and stick to it.
3. Review Last Year’s Spending: Go through your bank, credit and online buying accounts to see where you spent money last year and look for ways to cut back.
4. Do a House Recon: Before you spend any money on gifts, cards, wrapping paper or décor, go through your closets, totes, basement and cabinets to see what you’ve got that you can use this year. No one will care, for instance, if you send the same card you sent the year before, or use the same wrapping paper. You may also uncover some great regifting opportunities.
5. Play the Long Game: Don’t be impulsive. Go over your bank account and credit card statements and remind yourself that long after the toy is broken, the gift to the coworker is forgotten or the turkey is eaten, the bills or credit card balance will still be there.
6. Adjust Your Attitude: The holidays are stressful, particularly when it comes to money. Look at the season with clear eyes – much of what you spent money on last year was forgotten about within days or weeks, or even hours. Before you spend, ask yourself “Will it matter after the holidays if I don’t buy this or find something cheaper? If I serve a cheaper wine or cut down on side dishes?” More than 25% of American consumers consider entertaining an important tradition, but things don’t have to be perfect when “perfect” means spending money. Enjoy the season, save money, and reduce stress.

Holiday Tips for Saving Money Shopping Online & Using Credit Cards

7. Cash-Only Holiday Spending: Withdraw a fixed amount of cash from the bank to use for gifts, food, decorations, wrapping paper, etc., then use only that cash. It’ll keep you on budget and you’ll be happy not to have the bills after the holidays are over.
8. Envelope Budgeting: Use the envelopes budgeting method – put cash for gifts in envelopes for specific people, decorating, the holiday meal, etc. Only spend from that envelope for that item. Bring the envelopes with you shopping and leave the credit card at home.
9. Dedicated Holiday Account: Open a second checking account at your bank (this can be done online in minutes for most banks), put holiday spending money in the account, and then only use that account for holiday spending. If the bank provides a separate debit card for the account, even better.
10. Skip the Store Card Offer: Do not sign up for a new credit card in exchange for 10%-20% off your purchase. The interest and additional spending will likely eat up any savings.
11. Free Shipping Caution: If you’re shopping online, look for sellers that offer free shipping, but if you’re required to spend a certain amount, don’t overspend just to get the perk.
12. Hunt for Coupon Codes: Look for coupon codes before hitting the “buy” button. Use sites like Rakuten, that offer money back if you shop through the site.
13. Leverage Credit Card Perks: Check your credit card accounts for special low interest rates or cash back on holiday spending – just be sure you pay the balance before the rate increases.
14. Lowest APR Wins: If you have more than one credit card, use the one with the lowest APR for holiday shopping and spending.
15. Price Matching Savvy: Keep an eye out for “price matching” deals from stores like Best Buy. For instance, you may buy a $1,500 TV at the store, and then see one online for $250 less. If you paid for price matching, you’ll get a credit to your card for the $250. Just be sure to read the fine print and follow all the requirements.

Holiday Tips to Save Money on Gifts

16. Discover Forgotten Gift Cards: An estimated 47% of Americans have unused gift cards, worth a total of around $23 billion. When you do your house recon, keep an eye out for unused gift cards. Use them to buy gifts, or re-gift them.
17. Smart Gift Card Giving: Gift cards, despite the fact people forget to use them, can save you money. A $25 gift card to a game shop is less expensive than buying a $39 game, for instance. Be sure that you give a gift card you know the person will use.
18. Vanilla Card Backup: “Vanilla” gift cards – the kind issued by Visa or a bank, not a store or specific business – can make a good gift if an unplanned giving situation crops up. If you stock up on a couple, then don’t need them for gifts, you can use them yourself for groceries or other necessities.
19. Pause Impulse Buys: Don’t impulse buy by giving yourself time and space to shop. Think carefully of what those on your list want or need, then shop around for the right gift at the right price.
20. Stick to the Plan: Don’t be tempted to buy the higher-priced item on the shelf next to the one you’d planned to buy because the higher-priced one is a “good deal.” Spending more money than you planned does not equal saving money, no matter how much of a deal it is.
21. Trim Your Gift List: Determine if there are people you can remove from your gift list, or downgrade to homemade cookies or a nice card with a heartfelt message.
22. Family Gift Strategies: Have a discussion with siblings or other adult family members and brainstorm ways that extended family gift-giving can be more economical. A secret Santa? Yankee Swap? Stocking stuffers only? Every family is different, but most will welcome not spending money on gifts for everyone.
23. Set a Price Limit: Agree on an extended family gift price limit. This will particularly help family members who can’t afford to match what wealthier members spend, but feel obligated to.
24. Coordinate Gift Giving: Coordinate with family members so that you’re not buying duplicate gifts. Mom doesn’t need two pairs of slippers or two cake mixers.
25. Split Big-Ticket Gifts: For expensive items – the cake mixer, for instance – consider splitting the cost of a gift with a family member. Mom won’t love you any less if you share the cost.
26. Go for Group Gifts: Give a family or couples gift to relatives or friends rather than giving each individual member of the family a gift.
27. Shop Second-Hand: Consider searching for a big-ticket item on eBay, other online second-hand sellers, or your local newspaper classified ads or neighborhood Facebook page. You may find a new-condition item that’s much less expensive than buying new from a store.
28. Regift Thoughtfully: Don’t be afraid to re-gift. If you have something you’ve never used, gift it to someone who’ll use it. [Just be sure not to regift to whoever gave it to you, and remove the tag from last year!]
29. DIY Experience Coupons: Find ways to gift experiences that don’t cost you anything, or that you can pay for later. Create “coupons” the recipient can “cash in.” Craft them for what the person needs or would enjoy – driving a senior friend or relative to appointments or cooking meals or cleaning their home; a visit to a state park or day trip to a location of their choice for the kids on your list; dinner out for parents or siblings. Make the coupons fun and decorative, so their specialness shines.
30. Stationery with a Touch: Stationary or notecards are an inexpensive gift for a senior family member, so they can keep in touch with friends and relatives. Be sure to include envelopes and a roll of stamps! Make it special with custom-made return address labels, which you can easily create and print using label paper from Staples or another supply or craft store, and an online template.
31. Practical Senior Gifts: Family members in assisted living or on a fixed income may welcome nice toiletries or a warm throw blanket, rather than a more expensive item they can’t use or don’t have room for. Don’t undervalue the impact of a pair of warm socks or slippers.
32. Visit, Not Buy: A family member who lives alone may appreciate a visit, rather than an item. Bring a meal, favorite baked good or warm sweater or pair of socks. And don’t make it a one-time thing.
33. Shop Local Gifts: The weekend after Thanksgiving is Shop Local Saturday [many businesses extend it to Sunday]. Some downtowns or Chambers of Commerce have promotions and fun giveaways that include gifts and discounts from a variety of businesses. Buying from local businesses not only can be less expensive, but it also supports the local economy, which is a gift to your community. You don’t have to wait for Shop Local Saturday to shop local – do it anytime!
34. Author-Signed Books: Look for author book signings at bookstores or libraries. A signed book from a local author can make a nice gift for a reader rather than buying them something more expensive. You’ll save money on shipping if you normally buy online, and the signature from the author makes the book special.
35. Craft Fairs & Consignment: Consignment shops, craft fairs, garage sales and flea markets are great ways to find inexpensive gifts as well as holiday decorations. Most communities have dozens of holiday craft fairs throughout November and December.
36. Homemade Treats: Homemade baked goods, jams and jellies, pickles, gingerbread houses, flavored popcorn – all of these with some pretty packaging make great inexpensive gifts.
37. Photo Gifts on a Budget: You don’t have to be a graphic artist to create gifts with your smartphone or computer. Use photographs you’ve taken, or scan in old family photos, and turn them into something meaningful. Online sites like Shutterfly, Canva and Vistaprint can help, but also check out Pinterest and DIY sites for things you can do yourself that won’t cost money.
38. Handmade Hobby Gifts: If you’re handy, think outside the box to create gifts unique to the recipient. Do they like jigsaw puzzles? Make them a puzzle board to do their puzzles on that can be as simple or elaborate as your skills allow. Throw in a couple of low-cost jigsaw puzzles and it’s an inexpensive gift with a big wow factor.
39. DIY Laminated Creations: Consider buying a laminator to turn photos or art into placemats, bookmarks or drink coasters. An inexpensive laminator, plastic sleeves, and construction paper or other heavy-duty paper can be the foundation for dozens of great gifts at a fraction of what you’d spend on something less meaningful, and you don’t have to be an artist – or particularly talented – to create them.
40. Family Photo Calendars: Use online resources like Canva, Shutterfly, Vistaprint or Apple, to create a calendar, using family photos to mark birthdays or other significant dates. The printing costs will likely be much less than what you’d spend on other gifts.
41. Buy Last Year’s Model: Buy last year’s model of electronics (computers, game systems, tablets); look for sales as the holidays approach and retailers clear the shelves for new models.
42. Delay Personal Spending: Don’t buy anything for yourself during the holiday season. New shoes or video games can wait until your wallet has recovered. And who knows? Maybe you’ll get it as a gift.
43. Stack Coupons & Sales: Look for opportunities to combine coupons with clearance sales, and scour your local newspaper circulars for sales that may not show up online. The Thanksgiving Day edition of most local papers, or the one published the day before Thanksgiving, is usually laden with coupons and circulars for Black Friday deals you may not find elsewhere.
44. Use Price Comparison Apps: Find a free app that compares prices – there are dozens of them – and use it when shopping for specific items. Before you pick an app, look for one that meets your needs and doesn’t require paid add-ons or charge hidden fees.
45. Custom Gift Baskets: Create a gift basket – buying wine, fruit, baked goods and snacks individually is less expensive than buying a pre-made collection, and you have control over what’s in it. Tea, an infuser and special mug for the tea-lover; craft beer and pretzels and a drink koozie from their favorite team for the sports fan; hot chocolate, popcorn and a good book for the reader – it can be fun to think of what would make your recipient happy.
46. Tailored Craft Kits: Create a craft kit for a friend or relative who has a hobby or talent. If they like to make jewelry, for instance, you can’t go wrong with an assortment of beads and other jewelry-making items. Artists can never have too many sketch pads, colored pencils and other art items. Find a fun or creative way to package them. Ask the clerk at the craft or art-supply store for help if you’re not sure what items would be welcome.
47. Regional Gift Boxes: If you’re sending gifts to someone who lives in another part of the country, an assortment of local items and goodies doesn’t have to cost a lot – package them as a basket, or decorate a box with photos of your state.
48. Create a Playlist Gift: Use a music app that allows sharing to create a special playlist for a friend or family member.
49. State Park Pass: An annual state park pass is a great gift for individuals or families who like to get outside and explore. Every state is different, but the best annual passes are all-inclusive for state park, beach and historic site visits and are less expensive than many one-time gifts. Some states include a “passport” for kids to record their visits and experiences. Check out your state government website.
50. National Park Pass: If a giftee lives within driving distance of a national park, consider giving them an annual pass to the park. If your giftee likes to travel around the country, the America the Beautiful Pass costs $80 ($20 for seniors), and covers entrance and other fees to all U.S. national parks and historic sites overseen by the National Park Service.
51. Museum Memberships: Museum tickets or passes make good gifts and are relatively inexpensive. Some museums collaborate for an all-inclusive pass that allows entrance to more than one.
52. Tree Raffle Gifts: Find a “festival of trees” in your area. These fundraisers raffle off decorated trees. Winners get the tree, decorations and the gifts underneath. For the cost of a few raffle tickets, you could have a tree and decorations, as well as gifts you’d otherwise have to buy, and it’s for a good cause.
53. Plan Shipping Wisely: If you are shipping gifts, consider weight, size and shape before you buy and consider small gifts. Check out whether using a flat rate option is cheaper. Ship early, so you aren’t under the gun to pay an express rate. Shop around for the best shipping option. Be sure to use media mail rates if you are sending books.

Holiday Tips to Save Money on Meals & Entertaining

54. Cut Costs on Drinks: Cut back on buying alcohol, which can add a lot to a restaurant or grocery bill. If you’re going out with friends, consider non-alcoholic beverages, or just having one. If you’re throwing a party, have guests bring their own. If you’re providing alcohol, buy inexpensive brands.
55. Plan Holiday Meals Early: If you are serving a large holiday meal, or even a small one, plan it enough in advance that you can stock up on nonperishable ingredients early.
56. Full-Meal Deals: For small gatherings, look for holiday full-meal offers from grocery stores or restaurants. Buying a full, prepared meal for a few people may be less expensive than buying all the items separately and cooking them yourself.
57. Switch to Store Brands: Consider store brands for staples and ingredients, they’re less expensive and usually no different than brand name items.
58. DIY Holiday Staples: Consider making items you’d normally buy. Things like stuffing, cranberry sauce and gravy are easy and inexpensive to make.
59. Recipe Finder Apps: Use an app like SuperCook, All Recipes Dinner Spinner, Big Oven, or one of many others, to find recipes for ingredients you have on hand to feed the family for less during the holidays.
60. Host a Potluck: Have a potluck instead of cooking everything yourself. It can be no-rules, or you can work with guests to assign sides, desserts, salads, etc. Don’t stress that it won’t be perfect. Part of the fun is the variety and everyone feeling good about contributing. This also helps if guests have dietary requirements because of health, preference or religion.
61. Holiday Open House: Have a holiday open house instead of a dinner party. Provide non-alcoholic drinks and small dishes or hors d’oeuvres.
62. Simplify Side Dishes: Cut down on side dishes at the holiday meal – if the variety is nice (think plenty of color), no one will notice what isn’t there.
63. Homemade Pies Save: Make your own pies, rather than buying, and save about 50% of the cost. Consider cobbler or apple or berry crisp if making a pie is daunting.
64. Accept Pie Offers: If someone offers to make or bring the pies, let them.
65. Keep Sides Simple: Don’t spend extra time and money making sides like mashed potatoes gourmet-quality. Most people like prefer things like mashed potatoes to be simple and yummy.
66. Use Smaller Plates: Use smaller plates, particularly if you are serving buffet-style. Studies show that more food gets wasted at buffet meals, because people fill their plates but don’t eat everything on them. You’ll have more leftovers that you can re-use.
67. Reusable Tableware: Use cloth napkins and real plates and cutlery instead of buying paper items. It’ll reduce waste and, even if you have to make the initial outlay this year, you’ll spend less in the future.
68. Make Soup from Leftovers: Save the turkey carcass to make soup that you can freeze for quick family meals in the weeks following the holidays.
69. Freeze & Pack Lunch: Freeze leftovers and bring your lunch to work in the days and weeks after the holidays.
70. Use Reusable Containers for Leftovers: Package leftovers in reusable containers, particularly glass jars that you’d normally throw away, to skip the expense of resealable plastic bags.
71. Host a Post-Holiday Potluck: Instead of entertaining before the holidays, throw a post-holiday leftovers potluck. Have guests bring leftover food, cookies, desserts, gifted wine – anything they have too much of that they want to get rid of. Plan the party early enough that guests know not to dispose of leftovers, and have it soon enough after the holiday that the food doesn’t go bad. Add to the fun by including a gift swap or “mystery gift” exchange of gifts guests received but can’t use.

Holiday Tips to Save Money on Decorations & Gift Wrapping

72. DIY Wrapping Paper: Make your own wrapping paper using rolls of inexpensive craft paper that you buy online or at craft, office or art supply stores. One roll is a fraction of the cost of store-bought wrapping paper, and has a lot more paper. Use rubber stamps, acrylic paints, or crayons to decorate. It’s a great project for kids.
73. Custom Online Wrapping Paper: Canva, Printify, and other online design tools have templates to create and order wrapping paper (make sure that you’re not spending more than you would for store-bought paper).
74. Homemade Gift Bags: To make your own gift bags, buy paper bags with handles online in bulk – brown, white or a variety of colors – for pennies on what you’d pay for gift bags. Decorate them using rubber stamps, acrylic paint, markers or crayons, or printed-out photos or art.
75. Nature-Inspired Decor: Collect acorns, pinecones, leaves and vines to make your own wreaths and decorations.
76. Attend Craft Workshops: Look for local wreath, card and ornament-making workshops. Nonprofits in your area may offer them for free, the cost of materials, or for a donation to the organization.
77. DIY Ornaments: Make your own ornaments with things like tin foil, Styrofoam balls, pipe cleaners and construction paper. There are many DIY sites online that have suggestions and advice.
78. Invest in Reusable Trees: Buy an artificial Christmas tree that you can reuse for years to come. If you still want to have the pine scent, decorate the room with evergreen boughs.
79. Ornament Swap Party: Tired of your ornaments? Instead of spending money on new ones, have a tree-trimming party at which guests can exchange an ornament (or many) they no longer want for yours.

Holiday Tips to Save Money Entertaining the Kids

80. Crafting with Family: Spend an evening making paper chains out of construction paper, or popcorn and cranberries, while listening to holiday music or streaming holiday movies, and snacking on hot cocoa and popcorn.
81. DIY Gingerbread Houses: Instead of buying a gingerbread house kit, make a house, or a village, out of graham crackers, frosting and candy like M&Ms and Gummi Bears.
82. Free Local Kid Events: Look for local kid-oriented free and fun holiday events – libraries and churches usually have a variety of offerings.
83. Holiday Light Tour: Drive around to look at holiday lights. Apps like Christmas Prism or your neighborhood Facebook or Nextdoor group can guide you to the best displays in your area. It’s a great way for one parent to get the kids out of the house so the other can cook, decorate or take a nap.
84. DIY Kids’ Decor: Put the kids to work making centerpieces for the holiday party, or decorations for the house. There are plenty of DIY sites online – find one that meets the age level of the creators and the type of décor you want to create.
85. Holiday Story Time: Check holiday-themed books out of your local library – have the kids choose them – and read one a night.
86. Holiday Movie Nights: Let the kids choose a holiday movie a night, or once a week, from your streaming service, or share some old favorites with them. Serve hot chocolate and snacks.
87. Handmade Gifts & Cards: Have the kids make gifts or cards for friends, relatives, or your spouse, rather than buying.
88. Angel Tree Shopping: Have the kids help you pick out a gift recipient from a local angel tree and shop for the gift, with the understanding that it’ll take the place of one of their own gifts.
89. Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting: Attend your town’s holiday parade and tree-lighting for a festive holiday afternoon or evening.
90. Home Lighting Party: Hold a home lighting ceremony, complete with holiday music and snacks. Invite neighbors and friends for a multi-generational fun party.
91. Free Santa Visits: Skip the costly mall Santa, and find a free community Santa. Check your local newspaper website or neighborhood Facebook group or Nextdoor app for appearances.
92. Outdoor Holiday Adventures: Look for local holiday hikes, sundown or sunrise walks or paddles, star-gazing outings, free state park days and other events that will get everyone outdoors to de-stress.

Holiday Tips to Save Money on Travel

93. Cheap Gas Finder: Apps like GasBuddy, Waze and Mapquest can help you find the cheapest gas within a few miles of your location. Here are more tips to save on gas.
94. Gas Station Rewards: Get a rewards card from a gas station chain to help you save money on filling up, as well as convenience store items.
95. Clean Your Trunk: Clean out your trunk before driving long distances for holiday get-togethers. Every pound of extra weight decreases your gas mileage.
96. Weather Check: Check the weather if you’re driving or flying – a holiday storm can cause delays that can be expensive.
97. Post-Holiday Family Party: Schedule the extended family party for after the holidays, when travel will be cheaper.
98. Carry-On Only: Save money on baggage fees by only using a carry-on.
99. Ship Gifts Early: Ship gifts in advance if you’re flying to a holiday gathering. If you’re arriving before the holiday, buy gifts after you arrive.
100. Fly on Holiday: Fly on the day of the holiday (Dec. 25 or Jan. 1) for a discounted ticket. As long as you get there for dinner, you’ll be fine.
101. Holiday Zoom Party: Arrange a holiday Zoom gathering to visit with remote friends and family instead of paying to travel.

Holiday Tips to Save Money on Everyday Bills

102. Check Grocery Circulars: Save money on your grocery bill by checking out newspaper grocery store circulars, which often advertise sales and coupons you may not find online. Most local newspapers publish their grocery circulars on Sunday (or the weekend edition, if there’s no Sunday paper). Here are more grocery saving tips.
103. Join Rewards Programs: If your favorite grocery store has a rewards program, join it. You’ll get deals, coupons and ways to save money on groceries.
104. Plan Meals Together: Plan your regular family meals when you plan your holiday meals and entertainment. Create a list of what you need for both holiday entertaining groceries, as well as regular family groceries, and shop for it all together. You’ll be less likely to duplicate items or be forced to opt for fast food on regular meal nights.
105. Cut Cable/Streaming: Cut the cable or reduce streaming services for a month or two, and have family game nights, puzzle nights, or hang out reading or decorating for special [and less expensive] holiday family time.
106. Use Solar Lights: Use solar-powered outdoor lights to save money on the electric bill, especially if you live in a part of the country with a lot of sunny daylight.
107. Save on Heating: Throw on a festive holiday sweater and turn down the thermostat, switch the thermostat to a programmable one, and weather-strip your windows and doors for better insulation to save on your heating bill.

Holiday Tips to Save Money While Keeping the Holiday Spirit

108. Send E-Cards: Send out homemade e-cards, email homemade cards or a festive homemade video, instead of mailing cards. There are filtering apps that can add things like holiday lights, decorations and reindeer antlers to dress up your photos.
109. Email a Family Letter: Email your annual family letter, or post it on social media, rather than mailing it. Mail hard copies to relatives who may not be on social media.
110. Send Postcards: If you still want to mail a holiday greeting, consider a postcard rather than cards in envelopes to save money on stamps.
111. Volunteer: Get your family or friend group to volunteer at a soup kitchen or veterans’ or seniors’ holiday meal or organize a caroling visit to a local senior or veterans home, instead of having a party or hosting an expensive meal.
112. Ornament/Cookie Exchange: Host an ornament-making or cookie-making exchange party with friends. Everyone brings their own supplies, and you leave with a variety of ornaments or cookies.
113. Group Movie Night: Host a group-watch of holiday movies at your place, with guests bringing drinks and snacks, instead of going out for expensive drinks or dinner night.
114. Get Involved in Donation Drives: Get involved in community toy, clothing or food drives instead of spending money on attending events. Make a family activity out of it.
115. Holiday Film Festivals: Look for local film festivals or dollar movie theaters running holiday classics.
116. Beach Picnic: If you live near a beach, consider visiting it in December. Take thermoses and enjoy a winter picnic.

Holiday Tips to Increase Your Income

117. Seasonal Job: Pick up a seasonal job at a restaurant, retailer, delivery service, returns warehouse or online seller warehouse.
118. Take Overtime: Take advantage of overtime hours if they’re offered by your employer, even if it cuts down on your holiday socializing.
119. App-Based Gigs: Look into driving for Uber, Lift, Instacart, Door Dash or other app-based gigs that are flexible. Be sure to do the research to determine if you’ll make money and make sure it won’t add to the stress of your holiday by wasting your time.
120. Sell Crafts: If you’re a crafter or artist, pay a small table fee at a local craft fair and sell your wares.
121. Sell Unused Items: Look for ways to sell collections, or unused items you may have at home, on eBay or elsewhere online, especially items holiday shoppers may be looking for.
122. Sell Used Media: Find stores that pay for used books, CDs and DVD’s, and sell them yours.

Holiday Tips to Pay Off Debt During the Holidays

123. Pay Down Debt: Don’t wait until the holidays to address debt – pay balances down, or ideally, off, throughout the year so you’ll have a clean slate. Here are more tips to avoid holiday debt.
124. Nonprofit Credit Counseling: Talk to a counselor at a nonprofit credit counseling agency, who can help you with budgeting and offer debt relief options.
125. Free Money Management Classes: Find a free money management class at a local community college or nonprofit to help you manage your money and pay down debt during the holidays.
126. Increase Credit Card Payments: Add larger-than-usual credit card payments to your holiday budget, and adjust the rest of the budget accordingly.
127. Use Cash: Follow the budgeting tips in this article, including using cash, not credit cards, so that debt doesn’t get worse.

Holiday Tips to Save Money Next Year

128. Buy Post-Holiday Decorations: Buy discounted decorations and wrapping paper at post-holiday sales.
129. Buy Next Year’s Gifts: Start buying next year’s gifts early – many retailers have post-holiday sales. Make a gift list early, with what worked this year and what didn’t fresh in your mind. Look for items throughout the year, so you can spread out the shopping.
130. Open Holiday Savings Account: Open a holiday club account at a local community bank or credit union. You make regular deposits throughout the year, and the money is available to withdraw in time for holiday spending.
131. Save Wrapping Supplies: Save reusable wrapping paper, ribbons and gift bags for next year.
132. Plan Regifting: Plan your regifting – any gifts or gift cards that you received this year that you can’t use, note who it is from [so you don’t regift it to the giver], and save give as gifts next year.
133. Reduce Credit Card Balances: Work on reducing your credit card balances and spending, so that you’ll be in better financial shape next year.