Don't Let The Holidays Bust Your Budget
by James H. Dimmitt, http://www.yourfreecreditreportnow.com

Before you know it our days will be filled with all the hustle and
bustle of the holiday season.  And if you're not careful, the spending
and entertaining that goes with celebrating these holidays could put a
real strain on your budget.  Amid the music and decorations it becomes
very easy to just "charge" away.

If you feared opening your January and February bills to see how much
you really spent last year, now is a great time to plan for a
financially healthy and happy holiday season this year.

Here are 7 tips to help you get started:

1) "He's makin' a list and checkin' it twice".  Hey, if  it's good
enough for Santa, it's good enough for me.  Make a list of the
entertaining and gifts you plan to include this season.  Don't forget
to include holiday decorations, gift wrap, and food.

2) Make a budget!  Set realistic limits on the amount you can afford
to spend on your list and then stick to it!  Nothing will sidetrack
you more quickly than going on a holiday spending spree - especially
one you really can't afford.

3) Celebrate within your means.  Think before you spend - do you
really want to be paying for your holidays 6 months after you've
celebrated them?  The holidays are meant to be a time of joy, not a
time to go deeper in debt.

4) Get creative with your gifts.  Hand made items are more personal
and often more memorable than store bought items.  Offer personal
services such as baby-sitting, gardening, cooking and such.  Visit a
craft store such as Michael's and you'll find endless ideas for
beautiful gifts you can create on a budget.

5) Give a gift that gives the whole year long.  Consider buying a gift
subscription to someone's favorite magazine for them.  Your generosity
will be remembered every month when their new issue arrives.  Search
the web for discounts on magazine subscriptions and save even more!

6) Shop early and be sure to watch for pre-holiday sales.  Use coupons
found in your weekly newspaper for additional savings.

7) Start saving now.  Put aside a little money each week to pay for
your holidays rather than putting everything on plastic and risk
having to go into debt.

Here's hoping these tips help put a little more joy in your holidays
this year!

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© 2005,  www.yourfreecreditreportnow.com
Author: James H. Dimmitt
James is editor of "TO YOUR CREDIT", a free weekly newsletter with
tips to help you manage your personal finances.  Subscribe today and
receive his ebook "IDENTITY THEFT- How To Avoid Becoming the Next
Victim!" and other free bonuses by visiting
http://www.yourfreecreditreportnow.com