F 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.

F 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.

F 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.

F 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.

F 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.

F 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.