- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- article archive
- expert q & a
- community & groups
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
From Our Sponsors
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
'Tis the Season to Save Money
Sticking to the List Without Breaking the Bank
By Deborah Ng
Before embarking on your holiday shopping spree, make a list of all the people for whom you'll be purchasing gifts and the amount of money you'd like to spend on each gift. Stick to your list. Avoid impulse items, unnecessary extras and sales people encouraging you to buy goods you wouldn't have otherwise purchased.
Foreman also says not to listen to ads. "They're only interested in getting your money, not in picking the perfect gift," he says. Try not to buy everyone's gift at the same store, as you may find it cheaper elsewhere. If you comparison shop, you're bound to find a few bargains.
If possible, shop with cash. Consult your list, calculate the amount of cash you think you'll need and bring only that amount with you. Leave credit and ATM cards at home, so you won't be tempted to overspend. By avoiding the "buy now pay later" mentality, you'll avoid interest charges and late fees, which add more to the price of the gift.
Being thoughtful can still get expensive. For Eddie Vallee of Phoenix, Ariz., the key is to shop early. "There's nothing worse than the Christmas shopping hangover you get when you receive your Visa bill in January," Vallee says. "We avoid this by purchasing gifts year round. We take advantage of sidewalk sales, closeout sales and specials as they happen. This helps us save mounds of money and keeps us from going into debt over the holiday season."
Michelle Jones, editor of BetterBudgeting.com, also believes in the "shop early" philosophy. "Shopping all throughout the year, especially during clearane sales, can be a huge money saver," says Jones, who makes her list a year in advance. "This way you'll have 12 months to be on the lookout for the perfect gift for everyone on your list as well as the best prices." Shopping early also gives you time to comparison shop and look for discounts, something that rushed, last-minute shopping doesn't always allow.