·Review

your budget. How much have you spent already this holiday season? Add

up your expenses to date. Subtract this amount from the money you had

allocated for holiday spending.

Refine your

gift list and other holiday spending to stay within your overall budget.

And remember

that if you overspend on one item or another, you don't have to throw

the whole budget out. Simply adjust the rest of your spending. If you

don't have a budget, devise one now.

Think twice

before you buy. Before buying a gift, ask yourself if the gift will be

appropriate for the recipient and within your price range. If not, don't

buy the gift, particularly if you will have to charge the purchase.

Watch the extra

impulse gifts; the prices can quickly add up. Plan to pay your credit

card purchases off within 90 days. A $20 sweater purchased on credit could

end up costing you $30.

Use presentation

to dress up inexpensive gifts. We all love to receive beautiful packages.

Put home-made cookies in a decorative basket or hand paint a photo frame.

Make your own wrapping paper with butcher paper, glitter and stamps.

Put off some

gift giving until after the holidays. You may agree in advance with family

and friends to exchange gifts after the holidays. This way you can take

dvantage of the after-Christmas sales and you can shop in a more leisurely

manner.

Take time

for yourself. Make room in your schedule for a trip to the gym or a long,

hot bath. This will enable you to relax and rejuvenate. After you are

rested, then tackle your remaining shopping and chores. This approach

should help you from overspending simply because you are stressed.

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