This morning, I had the pleasure of going to channel 13 in Houston and doing another live interview for the Saturday morning news.  This time, I shared 5 tips to help keep some money in your wallet this Holiday Season by making a budget. 

5 Tips for Your Budget this Holiday Season: 

By Nora Kapche – Coupon Contessa

1.  Put it in writing:

Take the time to sit down and write out a plan,

How much to spend and what gifts
to give

If you do not have a budget you can’t stick to it

2.  Get Creative:

Bundle Gifts:  Buy for couples or families
instead of individuals.  This will save
you money and reduce the number of gifts to buy.

Make Homemade Gifts:  bake goods
are always a hit, get the whole family involved, even the kids.

Give your time.  Offer Free Babysitting
to new parents to have a night out.  It
really is the thought that counts.

3.   Be a Smart Shopper:

Buy items on sale and combine with
a coupon and/or free shipping for additional savings.

Don’t miss out on discounts, just research deals online to find coupons

Buy only items that are on your list.
Don’t be an impulsive buyer.
Stores and websites are designed to get you to spend more than you
planned.

4.   Pay cash for gifts:

Fact:   We all spend more money
when we use a credit card to pay for our items than when we pay in cash.  Once all your cash is gone, you are finished
shopping.

5.  Save on wrapping paper:

This can get very expensive in the stores.   When you think about it, you can spend as
much on the wrapping as on the gift.
Take out the wrapping expenses and you can spend more money on each
gift.

Just recycle by using things you already have

Recycle gift bags – no matter what the occasion

Wrap gifts with newspaper/magazine pages

With a little planning you can make and stick to your budget this Holiday Season.

Happy shopping!