1)      Make a list & stick to it: Write down all your gifts, even small ones you have to buy.  List all the tips you will be giving out for the entire holiday season.  Total up all these items and it will help you tackle your holiday budget!

2)      Take time to do online research: Look-up online reviews like consumerreports.org, also there are hundreds of expert reviews on Amazon.com or Cnet.com.  You might also check out a comparison-shopping site, like Pricegrabbers.com, you won’t believe how much time and money you will end up saving, maybe even learning a little more along the way!

3)      Hit up “Black Friday”, if you dare: Check out websites like Black Friday.org before the big day!  Plan out stores to hit & what products you intend to buy.  Check out advance offers before Black Friday!  Also, watch out for some “so-called’ Black Friday deals, some of them aren’t cheaper. Do extra research before you camp out in the store parking lot at 4:00a.m. (There is also an app on your iPhone that will list specials for “Black Friday” and even on Thanksgiving Day!)

4)       Take full advantage of “Cyber Monday”:  This new craze was started in 2005 and now is the biggest on-line shopping day of the holiday season, go to Cybermonday.com.  If you want to take full advantage of this shopping day, they will have hourly specials and extra discounts on several items!  You can sign up for advanced e-mails from your favorite store and find out in advance of specific specials!

5)      Get “Free “Holiday shipping: On December 17^th, over 2,000 merchants will be offering free shipping, go to freeshipping.org.  Check online for details of each store’s free shipping offer anytime after 12:00a.m. EST on Monday, Dec. 17^th, 2012.

DON”T Buy Now/Save $ Later:

1) Champagne & Wine!!! Yes, these items go down in price the closer you wait until the actual holiday! (EXAMPLE:   An item for $50. now, will be  $20. Later, big dollar savings!!)

2) Baking Ingredient’s!!!  Lots of various items will go on sale after the holidays to clear off the grocery store shelves for new product!

3) Electronic!!!! Yippee, after Jan.1^st, the newest electronics models will be released! Save money now and get the latest updates later, it’s a win, win!!!

4) Holiday Wrapping Paper & Ornaments!!! It’s a given that after the holiday passes, another is just around the corner!  Stock up on all your needs for the next season, like ornaments between 50-70% off!

5) Winter Clothing & Accessories:  Save on hats, scarves, boots, winter coats, & wool socks!  Get you staples for next winter season, a year ahead of time!!!

Happy Holiday Shopping!!!!!!!!!