There’s no doubt we spend a lot of money at Christmas time.  As a matter of fact, a quarter of all personal spending in the United States is done during the holiday season.  As families grow so does the gift list and our Christmas budget can get out of hand.  But, there are ways to save and cut back on your gift giving without looking like a scrooge.

Remember, it’s the thought that counts.  We should be celebrating the real meaning of the season.  Right?  Well, that’s a hard sell at times to children but with creative planning coupled with imagination, your gifts will be appreciated and you can avoid going into holiday debt.

Celebrate Christmas all year long especially where buying gifts is concerned.  Make a gift list early in the year and when you do your everyday shopping you’re sure to stumble onto the perfect gift for someone on your list.

It may even be on sale or on special.  Two for one clearance deals can double your shopping fun.  Huge savings can be found right after Christmas so constantly be on the lookout.  No last minute shopping for you.

Scan sales flyers and clip coupons.  You probably already do this but this year keep gift giving in mind too.  Try to use coupons in combination with sale prices and save even more.  Sign up for department stores newsletters through the mail or online to keep on top of sales.  Newsletters many times include special offers and discounts.

Shop the Internet.  Here you can compare prices not only online but how they compare with your local stores.  Usually, when you buy online you don’t pay sales tax and many times shipping is free.  The gas savings is another plus.

Carpool with a friend when you’re going shopping. This not only saves fuel but you can exchange ideas on what to give and where to go.  Make gift buying fun instead of a obligatory chore.  Don’t forget to shop the Dollar Stores and the 99 Cent Stores.  No one has to know what you spent on the gift.

Yard and garage sales are great places to find that perfect treasure for a fraction of the cost.  And, many items are new, in their original package and unopened.  But, the item doesn’t have to be new.  With a little clean up and fix up it can look new.  Or, maybe you’ll be lucky enough to find an antique that just needs a coat of polish.

Regifting is a practice that’s gaining in popularity.  Yes, many people do it and you can too.  No need leaving that gift you received years ago in the closet gathering dust.  Dust it off, gift wrap it, give it to someone who can use it and you save.

If you have frequent flyer miles that are going to waste give them as a gift.  Who wouldn’t enjoy a free plane ride?  Most mileage plans can also be traded for merchandise or even cash.  Don’t let them expire even if you have to give them away.

Many large families nowadays draw names to keep holiday expenses in line.  Some only give gifts to the children or exchange cards.  Of course, personal, obviously well thought out gifts are always most appreciated.  Enjoy the holiday season but stay within your budget.  It will be a happier new year if it starts debt free.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Long ago, people rarely ate out.  Mom would cook almost every meal at home.  When they did eat out it was exciting and special.  Times changed and eating out became an almost everyday happening.  Times have changed again and we may have to revert to the old ways because dining out has gotten so expensive.

But, why should you?  You work hard. You and your family deserve to eat out if that’s what you enjoy.  Some read a menu from right to left checking prices first and then scan back to the left to see what it is.  There are other ways to dine out and stay within your budget.

Select a restaurant you can afford.  You may have eaten in restaurants where you feel the owner must be laughing at you for paying his exorbitant prices.  You can get just as full in a reasonably priced café on quality food with friendly service.  If you’re a big eater, an all you can eat buffet may be right for you.  And, you can save on tipping.

Some restaurants offer specials on certain days and discounts for eating early.  Do your homework by reading their ads or give them a call.  If you’re a senior citizen they may have senior specials that offer smaller portions for a smaller price.

If you’re eating with no children in tow, try the happy hour lounge specials.  For the price of a drink you can usually sample the heavy hors d’oeuvres.   If you do have kids, some places have kids eat free nights.

For the two of you just order one dinner and perhaps an appetizer and share.  Portions can be too large anyway.  Most restaurants these days are happy to have your business and will be glad to bring you an extra plate at no charge.  If you have leftovers take it home and eat it later getting two meals for the price of one.

Scan the newspaper and other ads for discount coupons but read the fine print and make sure it’s a bargain and not a come-on.  Buying an Entertainment Book that usually offers buy one get one free can be real savings for the whole year.

Practice skipping when dining out.  Yeah, that would be good exercise but try skipping a drink such as iced tea or soda and skipping dessert.  Drinks can add more than four dollars to the check for just two people.

Order water instead and freshen it up with lemon and maybe a little sugar.  Pick up a half gallon of ice cream on the way home for dessert the rest of the week. Fast food fare can be cheaper and if you’re careful it can also be healthy.  Most fast food chains now offer salads and soups.  For dessert try a container of fruit instead of fat-laden sweets.

Don’t forget to check your receipt.  Some offer free meals or a reward if you take a survey about your dining out experience.  Your experience should be fun and affordable.  With a little planning and restraint dining out can always be special.

Popularity: 1% [?]

In today’s world, shopping in “brick and mortar” stores seems so backward, dated, and boring. Millions of people each year sit in their jammies while drinking wine and shop for clothes, household goods, gifts, and just about anything else you can imagine.

One of the great benefits to shopping online is the various coupon, rebate and dollar-back programs available. If you click through a link, or use a coupon code, your savings can be substantial. In addition, you get all the myriad benefits of shopping online – no children to drag through stores, no gas costs to get there and back, and no hassle of dealing with crowds.

So, once you’re convinced to shop online, where can you find the savings? There are several ways to save money online. Let’s start with coupons.

Coupons

This is a fairly standard. Go to one of the coupon sites (many will be provided below) and look for the store you want to shop with, or search by category, depending on your needs. Be sure to click “apply” when you enter the coupon during checkout.

Although in the early days of online shopping, coupon codes were plentiful and generous (frequently you could find $10 off a $10 purchase with free shipping), good coupons these days are hard to find. Some stores (like Lands’ End) rarely offer coupons while others (L.L. Bean) often offer free shipping on any size order. When you order, or even if you don’t order, be sure to sign up with the website either by registering or signing up for coupons. These direct-email coupons are often some of the best you’ll ever find.

Here are some excellent coupon sites to get you started:

MyBargainBuddy.com — Here, a mom compiles good deals and coupon codes for you. Some of the best deals need no coupon at all, but if there’s a good deal and a coupon to go with it, all the better.

FatWallet.com — Lots of codes here along with active message boards where other deals can be found.

MyCoupons.com — The most beneficial part of this site are the message boards, which are alive with the sound of people saving money. Check out the posts that have stickies on them at the start of each forum – there are often some good links to printable coupons here for favorites like Toys R Us and Chuck e Cheese.

One note: If you are looking for a code for a certain store, don’t assume that if it’s not available at one website, it doesn’t exist. There are different codes at different sites. Visit several coupon sites before giving up hope that a code does in fact exist for that store.

Rebates

Here’s how the big daddy of online rebate programs works. Go to Ebates.com and sign up for an account. There’s a sign up bonus of $5, so you already have a free $5 coming to you. Then, when you go shopping, check Ebates before heading directly to an online store. Even if you have a coupon from another site, click through the store link on the Ebates page for more savings.

Let’s say you choose a new jacket from Kohls and you have a $10 off a $75 purchase. Great. Keeping the coupon code in hand, you head to Ebates and find Kohls among the list of stores. This store offers 2% back, so you click through the Kohls link on the Ebates page, and make your purchase. Not only do you benefit from the coupon code you applied, but also got an extra 2% back on your purchase. Not a bad deal. Ebates will send money to your Paypal account or send you a check.

Points

Not everyone knows about the various point programs available, but since you can earn points without doing any shopping, the points programs are worth knowing.

Visit MyPoints.com and sign up for an account. My Points will send emails (sometimes daily, sometimes several in one day). You click a link in the mail and automatically get 5 points. Sign up for an offer or make a purchase through that link and earn even more points, from hundreds to thousands of points per offer.

My Points is most useful, however, when you’re shopping online. It’s like Ebates in that you click through a link on the My Points site, and you get points for your purchase. Most stores offer a certain number of points (2 to 4 on average) per dollar spent. Once you have at least 1,000 points, you can redeem the points for gift certificates for restaurants, gas, travel and clothing.

You can’t use Ebates and My Points in the same purchase, so if a store is linked through both Ebates and My Points, you have to decide which is the better deal for you. Whenever possible, try to combine a coupon code with the My Points or Ebates deal.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Money, according to a classical definition, is what money does. And truth, as they say, is like a rubber band. Stretch it and it can do wonders. So if we can really make money in order to do whatever we want, there is nothing like that.

To provide 10 quick tips to save money is almost like a first-aid approach to a very intricate problem perhaps faced by almost each of us. It is important to know how to manage money efficiently to ensure bulky savings. Whether to save some part of what we have to spend or whether to spend at all on a service or commodity should be the first question to be answered.

Firstly in case of large investments, the first step for a prospective buyer is to identify and correlate the valuable item or service with need or desire. It is better to test its utility first, for example, by borrowing it for a fixed time period. If you are satisfied and convinced about its necessity and think that you really need that, you may buy it. But to save money, you as a wise consumer must find the best seller in terms of comparative pricing, quality & market reputation.

For lower priced items, one has to shop for the lowest prices, also keeping an eye on the quality aspect. For example, if you take the instance of buying clothes, the best purchase is off-season discount sale, wherein you can get good clothes at cheap rates.

For financial investments, like the stock market, follow the golden rule of buying volatile stocks when the price of an item is down & sell it when it is at a high. The profit thus earned can be invested in the equity market for steady items.

Today’s Internet has provided the best opportunities to shop vigorously for the best price before you actually drop the money. Especially for insurance, loan facilities and financial management, one is spoilt for choices. Proper analysis of rates and amortization goes a long way in saving even hundreds of dollars in a year.

Change of plan in case of services like telephone, insurance, etc. can save you costly dollars provided you simply have the knowledge about the best existing plan.

Making a monthly budget for buying the essential items and regulating the number of luxury items can yield considerable savings.

Expensive weekends and extravagant outings should be replaced by reasonable excursion for wholesale entertainment.

Proper food planning and food habits result in better living, both financially and mentally. Stay healthy and you can save on medical bills. Having a proper food plan also prevents food from being wasted.

Paying the bills within due dates provides invaluable savings, because, in this case, as you have to pay, it is better to pay in time to avoid penalty.

If you are an employer, you should encourage flexible job responsibilities for your task force, making each one compatible with the work within a department. This will help in cutting down employees cost and help complete a task within time, even if someone is absent.

There are obviously several other ways to save money and lead a frugal life without tension. It is always told that money saved is money earned. Just keep it in mind and stay happy.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Giving a gift is a way of saying I love you and you’re special. It can be a distinctive thank you for just being you.  Whatever the reason, the act of giving is something we all enjoy even though times are tough and maybe your budget is stretched to the limit.  What can you do to make gift giving more affordable and still give with pride?  Let’s take a look at some of the ways.

Personalized homemade gifts are some of the best.  These depend somewhat on your particular talent but others can be made with just a little creativity and imagination.  Ideas could range from something you’ve sewn or knitted such as scarves or sweaters.  Handcrafted jewelry or wood art would be a special gift of your talent.

Frame a picture of your family or the recipient.  Frames aren’t that hard to make or buy an inexpensive frame and personalize it with your own handiwork by adding shells, brass corners or names.  A personalized gift with someone’s name is always appreciated.

Calendars can be made from photos taken throughout the year.  These are easy and fairly inexpensive to make online.  You make it more personal by adding special dates and names such as birthdays and anniversaries.  This is a gift that gives all year.

Books can be real treasures for a lifetime.  Hard cover books are best but soft covers can be made special with an autograph of the author or a personal hand written note from you.  Include a bookmark with the person’s name.

Food dishes you’ve cooked yourself are wonderful gifts.  Prepare whatever is your specialty such as jellies, breads, candies or cookies.  Make is personal with a label that says “From the Kitchen of…”  Decorate it with a colorful bow or ribbon and include the recipe.

Plants you grow yourself can be an inexpensive yet thoughtful gift.  A small colorful plant is probably best and can be placed in a pretty container with a ribbon.  Include a note on how to care for the plant. If you don’t have a green thumb, silk flowers would be appropriate and can look almost real.

A magazine subscription keeps giving every month.  They’ll think of you each time they receive a copy and be reminded of your thoughtfulness.  Many schools sell magazine subscriptions as a fund raiser giving you an opportunity to do two good deeds.

Gifts for or from the computer are perfect these days.  Use your computer to create personalized address labels or greeting cards.  It’s easy to put names on them.  Computer software games can also be given or tutorials on various hobbies and projects. Personalized gifts given with thoughtfulness and care are for all ages and worth far more than a hurried purchase just to fulfill your obligation regardless of the cost.

Popularity: 26% [?]

The travel industry is complex and full of insider secrets.  Never before has it been faced with the challenges of today.  With the endless increase in fuel prices and the constant threat of terrorism the travel industry has been forced to make cuts and changes.  Any price hikes are invariably passed on to the consumer.

If the consumer is to be able to function affordably within this industry he must learn as much as possible of their policies, practices, procedures and even their vulnerabilities.  The savings will go to the educated and the persistent.

1. Discount deals are found on the internet but they’re not always the best.  Shop and compare.  Some websites collect a volume discount fee which affects the price of your ticket.  Check the newspaper for travel specials especially in the Sunday travel section.

2. Flying can still be cheaper (and faster) than driving even with soaring gas prices.  This is particularly true of longer flights when you consider the cost of gas to drive, food and possibly hotels.  Put a pencil to the numbers before you make a decision.

3. Use alternate airports and save.  Many large cities have two or even three airports.  Some are cheaper to fly into and out of than others.  In smaller cities it may pay you to drive a few miles (even a hundred miles) to another city and utilize their airport.  This practice can save you hundreds of dollars.  The smaller airports are usually more user friendly and offer cheaper or even free parking.

4. Two round-trip tickets can be cheaper than one.  You just use the leg of the ticket you need, one going and one coming.  This is called back to back ticketing and is frowned on by the airlines but is legal in most cases.  Check the legality of this method before using and of course the cost savings.

5. Buyer beware. Where you book and buy your hotel room could determine the quality and location of the room you get.  A hotel determines the room you receive based on what you paid.  If you got a deep discount you could be placed in a less desirable location such as near the ice machine or elevator.  They would never admit this but to avoid the situation deal directly with the hotel’s website.

6. Car rental insurance is usually unnecessary.  Check before you travel to see if your present auto insurance has you covered.  If you charge the rental to a credit card most companies cover you automatically.  Rental employees get a commission on insurance sold so beware of double coverage.

7. Last minute deals on airlines and hotels can save you a bundle but you must be flexible.  Empty seats or vacant rooms bring no revenue so it’s a win-win situation for both parties. Keep tabs on these by signing up for e newsletters or search the web.

Travel services today are rarely complimentary.  The more you know and the more you’re able to do for yourself the more you’ll save.

Popularity: 20% [?]

Saving money is not really something you can avoid forever and although it’s never too late, the sooner you get started the better.  There’s no getting away from the importance of money in this world for a secure future, and so the best thing to do is play the game as best you can by following a few guidelines and setting budgets and rules for yourself in order to reach your financial goals.

People are often very motivated to save money, but what often gets in their way is good ol’ fashion temptation. We’ve all been there. It’s hard to avoid the marketing and sales sometimes, but it’s those of use who do that benefit the most in the end.

Here are a few tips that will help you avoid temptation to a point where it gets you into trouble and stops you from saving money.

Avoidance
If you completely take your biggest temptations out of the picture then it certainly makes it easier to not spend the money. For instance, if your biggest weakness is buying shoes that are on sale, then simply don’t go to shoe stores. That doesn’t mean you never buy shoes, but only go when you need them and they’re within the budget that you’ve created for them.

Save on groceries
Bring a list to the grocery store and only buy what’s on the list. Do not give in to temptations in the snack aisle (or any other aisle). Creating a grocery list with a predetermined budget will help you prioritize the foods you really need and will help you stick to your plans and save money.

Leave credit at home
When you’re going shopping to buy specific needs, bring enough cash and leave credit cards at home. If you are tempted by sales on items you don’t really need, you won’t be able to purchase them with your card if it’s not in your pocket. This is a huge reason why people fall into the credit card debt trap.

These are just a few of the common temptations that people succumb to with their money.  You may have specific temptations that create obstacles in your saving money plans that need to be stopped, but you can probably use the info above and apply it to your situation. The idea is to budget, plan, and set goals. Then, practice self-discipline. You will be greatly rewarded with a financially secure future.

Popularity: 81% [?]

Saving money is extremely important if you want a secure future for yourself and your family. As cliche as it may sound, every little bit helps. When you have several small savings throughout the year, you can end up saving thousands annually that could go into an education fund for your child and/or retirement plan for you and your spouse.

There are several ways that you can begin to chip away at your expenses and save more money, starting with your own home. The great thing is that your whole family can share in helping with home expenses and everyone can learn the value of saving money in the process.

Electricity
Basically, the idea here is to remember to always turn off whatever you’re not using.
If the TV show that’s on in the background isn’t entertaining anyone, then turn off the television. Use energy efficient light bulbs. Don’t leave the computer on overnight. Put notes in the bathroom if you have too to remind you to shut down everything before bed. It may sound funny, but all the little things will be worth it when you save thousands throughout the year.

Water
Be sure that you don’t have any leaky pipes. No sense paying for water you’re not even getting. Faucet drips are also a common problem. Do you take 20 minute showers? If so, try knocking them down to 10 minutes. You’ve just saved half the amount of water usage in the shower. Don’t leave the faucet running while you’re brushing your teeth. All these things can really save a lot of water.

Seals
Check your window and door seals for drafts. It is very inexpensive to replace a broken seal and it can mean a big different in your heating bill.

These may all seem like simple things, but if you get in the habit of doing them, you will notice a big difference on your home utility bills.

Popularity: 82% [?]

It looks like the high price of gasoline is here to stay with us for quite some time. For people who are already on a tight budget, higher gas prices can be a big dent in the budget, especially since it is essentially a new cost without any additional income (unless you happened to get a raise when the price of gas went up).

Many people lterally have no choice but to find ways to save money on gas. Here are a few tips that are working for others:

Carpooling
It doesn’t matter if you’re an employee or a student, it makes sense to carpool if you have friends/associates that have the same destination. In addition to the money you’ll save on gas, you’ll be doing the the environment a favor as well!

Commuting
If you live in an area where getting to work on public transportation is easy with frequent travel times available, then why not jump on board? You can relax, read a good book, or even take a nap if you didn’t get enough sleep the night before.

Exercise
Have you thought about the option of walking, jogging, rollerblading, or riding a bicycle to work? Not only will you save money on gas, but you’ll be healthier and feel great.

Car maintenance
If you choose to keep driving the same amount as you always have, then at least keep your car in good running condition to help save money on gas. Also, be sure to regularly check your tire pressure. If you have unequal pressure in the tires, it can have quite a negative effect on gas consumption.

Popularity: 73% [?]

The convenience of holding a credit card provides advantages like not having to carry cash, shopping online with ease, and the basic feeling of security if you ever run into an emergency that requires temporary credit. However, there are also disadvantages.
Because you can act on impulse purchases a lot easier with a piece of plastic than you can using your own cash, or by taking the last $100 out of your bank account, it can sometimes get you trouble.

Here are a few tips and guidelines you can use to manage your credit cards without increasing your debt to a point of no return.

Organization is your best friend
The first thing you want to do is get organized and stay that way. Always double check your credit card statements for mistakes and ensure that you’re not being over billed or charged for something you didn’t buy. File your statements neatly for future records/reference.

Are you getting the best deal?
Sometimes credit cards have an introductory offer that is a really low interest rate for a short period of time. Be sure you are aware of that and if the interest is now too high, you may want to switch to a card that is a better deal. Also, simple calling and asking them to lower the interest rate sometimes works.

Check for membership fees as well. If you are not using the benefits that the membership includes, you may want to research other cards that better suit your needs.

Pay your credit card bill on time
It’s a well known fact that it’s important to pay your credit card bills on time, but not many realize the effect multiple late charges can have on your credit report. Always pay on time to avoid tarnishing your good credit standing and also save money on late charges.

Manage your credit card debt
The most important part of having a credit card is maintaining a balance that you can manage. If you see any sign at all that things are getting out of hand, you must have the self-discipline to stop. If you do run into a large amount of debt, be sure to put away your credit card (don’t take it with you anywhere) and strategically plan a way to get back out of the hole.

Popularity: 73% [?]