How to save money during the holidays

Tired of starting the new year with a pile of debt? Shop smart, and you can enjoy the holidays without putting yourself in the poor house. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your time and money:

• Decide how much you can spend. Don’t make a list of people to buy for, but instead, set your holiday budget before you go near a store. One big mistake? People overlook the little extras when they draft a budget. Include everything from postage for Christmas cards to holiday party favors and home decorations to the cost of boarding a pet if you're traveling.

• Make a list and check it twice. Armed with your budget, take a cue from St. Nick by making a list of all the people you want to buy for. Then go over the list and decide how much you can spend on each. Don't have enough money to cover your holiday budget? Go through it again, and cut names or amounts. Once you settle on a dollar amount for each person, that's it.

• Think of credit cards as short-term loans. Ideally, you'll want to pay everything off immediately. Have a choice of cards? Always use the card that offers the lowest interest rate. A good idea is to track your credit card spending just as you would if you were writing a check. Remember: It's really easy in the flurry of the holiday spending to run around and not keep track.

• Put yourself on your shopping list. It sounds selfish, but it's really smart. There are things you would not have bought for yourself that you end up, on impulse, buying for someone else. The best antidote: give yourself a little splurge, too.

• Allow enough time for all your holiday preparations. Who hasn't run out for a gift at the last minute and ended up paying top dollar? But whether you're shopping, baking or wrapping presents to send cross-country, budgeting your time can end up saving you tons of money.

• Don't overlook the value of intangibles. Do you want to give someone a gift but don't have the money? If you're already baking cookies for your family, making an extra batch as a present for a neighbor is fairly economical. Want to help a friend who's got a lot on her plate? Offer to baby-sit, walk the dog or take an elderly relative for an outing. The cost is next to nothing, but the gift is priceless.

• Send e-cards. They're free, don't require postage and no one has to wash their hands after opening them. Some even play music, making them a fun, free way to catch up with far-flung friends and family.

• Just say "no" to toy lust. If your kids still believe in Santa, help them draft real-world wish lists. In the post-Santa years, set some financial boundaries, and give them some choices.

• Look for meaning over glitz. Especially when you get into your 40s and you've got everything you need, words and gestures mean more. A thoughtful gift can be anything as simple as a set of dice (message: life's a gamble) to a few beautiful bottles collected for minimum cost at various flea markets or antique marts.

• Buy last year's model. Buying for the baby in your life? At the end of the year, manufacturers are already pushing next year's strollers, furniture and car seats, so this year's merchandise is available for up to 30% to 40% off. And no one can tell the difference. That thinking applies to other types of gifts, too.

• Remember the reason for the season. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, keeping the holiday's spiritual message front and center is a good antidote to the holiday gimmes. Instead of spending weekends leading up to Christmas in the mall, it would be a lot better gift to spend your time with your family.

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