Tips for shopping within a budget
Here are some helpful tips that can help save money and make your holiday shopping experience great.

1. Write down the names of everyone on your "mental" holiday list.

2. Cross off the names of anyone for whom you don't absolutely have to buy a gift.

3. Decide how much money you can afford to spend.
4. Decide how much you want to spend on each person and write that amount next to his or her name.

5. Add up all the per-person amounts and make sure the total does not exceed the amount you've allotted yourself to spend.

6. Take that much money (plus $20 for things like sales tax, lunch and parking) out of your bank.

7. Leave your credit cards and ATM cards at home. This way you won't have to exercise restraint or resist buying something for yourself. (The hardest step of all)

8. Ask for a free gift box and tissue whenever you buy something.

9. Take advantage of free gift-wrapping whenever it is offered.

10. Try shopping online for better deals on big ticket items.