A Frugal Christmas

Most people don't like to think of watching their budget at Christmas. Money may be tight, but they don't want to admit that they can't afford to give expensive gifts. Remember, if a nice gift gets you into debt, then it isn't worth it to buy. You have to draw the line in the sand and say "I'm not going to borrow money anymore."

If you are paying off debt, don't let Christmas be an excuse to go back into debt. Making a budget for the big holiday is crucial to not spending too much. You should start saving a few months in advance, but since we're past that time, if you haven't started a budget, then you have to get creative. Don't buy something so expensive that you are still paying for it in March ... in fact, don't buy ANYTHING that you can't afford! It's time to break the cycle of spending more than you make.

One way to do this, especially if you have a large family, is to draw names for gift-giving instead of buying for everyone. Everyone will still get a gift, and no one will have to overspend to do it. Set a dollar limit so people don't go overboard on spending.

Look for deals. There are plenty of Web sites out there that advertise great deals on used items. Take into account that "used" doesn't mean "cheap quality". There are plenty of times when someone buys clothes and either doesn't like them or they don't fit. Then they want to sell them. People can also get bored with toys, musical instruments and all sorts of things and want to get rid of them. Take advantage of deals!

Just remember ... it's the thought that counts. And many times, the right thought can translate into a gift that will really make the day of the person to whom you give it. Making someone's favorite dinner can be a great and inexpensive gift. It also is something that you put effort into, which holds more meaning than just stopping at a store and buying something. Try it! Get creative with gift-giving and it can be more fun than receiving gifts.