Christmas Budget Tips

"If you want to score some points with your girlfriend but don’t have the bankroll to buy her that Louis Vuitton purse she’s been hinting about, try cooking a meal for her instead."

It's time to start thinking about putting together a Christmas budget. With the worldwide economy still in a slump, now is a more important time than ever to conserve your savings.

A healthy way to start formulating your Christmas budget is by making a gift list. Also, begin to think about where you will be during Christmas and what travel arrangements are necessary. Finally, look into a few activities to make this holiday a memorable one or simply to help you pass the time quickly and painlessly while you are with your in-laws. Don’t wait until the last minute and risk losing out on some spectacular deals. Make your Christmas budget list and check it twice.

Gift budget tips

Just because you have 20 good friends at your office doesn’t mean you have to go it alone to find a unique gift for each of them. One method to tackle this situation is to set up a gift exchange with your coworkers. Write each person’s name on a piece of paper, fold it up and drop it in a hat. Walk around your floor and give everyone a shot to select the name of the person they are responsible for finding a present for. You can even set a fixed limit of $20 (give or take) so that the gift-giving doesn’t get out of hand. On the same note, if you have siblings, throw in a couple of bucks each to split on a present for your parents -- it’s better than just sending them an eCard.

If you want to score some points with your girlfriend but don’t have the bankroll to buy her that Louis Vuitton purse she’s been hinting about, try cooking a meal for her instead. True, you may need a little experience in the culinary arts, but learning how to fix up some homemade pasta and Caesar salad is not as hard as mastering quantum physics. A good meal may not look as shiny as a designer handbag, but your thought and effort will be appreciated that much more.

Travel budget tips

These days, extra luggage and carry-ons can have hefty fees attached to them. Packing light for your trip will ensure that you do not fall prey to this added expenditure. It will also help you to resist the temptation of buying more clothing and accessories during the holidays because you will not have room in your "small" suitcase for the extra items.

We have a few more Christmas budget tips to help temper your holiday spending... Next Page >>

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