3 Tips to Saving Money This Holiday Season

 Sales on Black Friday and Cyber Monday were off the charts this year -- and most of us know the holiday spending season has only just begun! Between doling out gifts to half the folks you know, attending holiday parties galore and traveling to-and-from family events, money is a major source of stress for many women over the holiday season. 

So how can you reign in spending while not becoming a total Scrooge? Here are a few easy savings tricks that will still let you enjoy the holiday season. 

No matter how much you spent during your post-Thanksgiving shopping spree, it's not too late to create a holiday budget! Make a list of all your holiday commitments and try to decide ahead of time exactly what you want to bring to each one. Buy in bulk, then keep a stash of hostess gifts in the house, so that you don't end up overspending on a last-minute find en route to your next party. A little prep will make you feel instantly calmer and more in control of your credit cards. 

The upside of this tough economy is that truly thoughtful gifts have become even more coveted than pricey presents. For each gift you buy for a loved one, rather than asking yourself, "What would really impress them?" ask, "What would make them smile?" And be sure to do this before you get to the mall, or risk becoming totally bamboozled by crazed shopping crowds. A meaningful gift says that you truly understand a pal for who they are and that you've paid attention to their wants and needs -- which is a far more valuable gift that any material good. 

Even the most savvy shopper sometimes goes over-budget. To avoid stressing about future debt in the midst of all the merriment, create a savings plan that you can be prepared to put in place come January 1. You'll be able to better enjoy the holiday season (and all of the money-spending that comes with it) with much less guilt if you already have a recovery strategy in mind. 

Happy shopping! 
Source:Yahoo Shine