Setting and Stretching Your Christmas Budget

I never use charge cards so I must amass the cash to pay for Christmas prior to the holiday.To accomplish this I use a variety of techniques

1)  I set aside $25 each pay period of the year to use toward Christmas gifts.  Since I get paid every 2 weeks that is 26 pay periods or $650.00 annually.  I have this money available throughout the year so I am able to take advantage of special purchases when I see that just right gift for someone...even if it is in the dead of summer!

2)  I use my debit card as a credit card.  They money comes out of my account immediately but I accrue points which I then redeem for gift cards.  I use the gift cards as an actual gift or use it to make gift purchases. 

3)  When I trade in books, movies, magazines and CDs at the used book store, I get the credit in gift cards which I then use as stocking stuffers.

4)  I take advantage of get a free gift when making a purchase (I've received tote bags, household items, bath and body lotions and even a smoothie maker).  ULTA and Office DEPOT are my favorite stores which offer freebies.

5)  I search Walmart.com for free product offers.  I find the other sites require too much information and I get spammed to death...so I avoid these.

6)  I redeem all my rebates.  Last year I received a $10 gift card from a beer manufacturer because I had purchased $50 in gift cards from any retailer. 

7)  Save all your receipts.  I keep my receipts in a coupon sorter by family.  Having the receipts in one place assures an item can be returned if I find it at a cheaper price or the recipient would rather exchange it for another item after the holiday.   

8)  I am a member of the Target Red Card DEBIT CARD program and I love it because a couple of times a year I get an additional 5% off my purchases.  I try to save up my big purchases for this additional savings.  The program is free, I get 5% off any purchase every time I use my Red Card debit card and I can also use manufacturer coupons. 

9)  I make some of my gifts using ideas I see in magazines I checkout from the library.  I always try and use items I already have (as I have a LARGE stash of craft supplies).  I begin saving jars and other "recyclables" in the event they can be converted into gifts or decorations. 

10)  Lastly, be realistic about what you can spend.  If you can't afford $100 for a gift for someone...don't go into debt.  With a little advance planning and creativity you can have a debt free Christmas