It’s October 28th, and already there are holiday decorations in the stores.  Are you ready?  What happened to your wallet last year?  Did you spend more than you planned?  A few tips:

• Think about non-cash gifts.  Does a family member need help more than a new sweater?  Give gift certificates for shoveling the driveway or shopping for groceries.
• Gift cards are looked down on, but my family likes them for books.  One of the kids wanted a gas gift card one year because she was driving so much.  For family members on fixed incomes, they are now available for everyday items like groceries. 
• Shop with a list and stick to it.
• Look for what you think people would really enjoy, not what you think you “owe” them.
• If you have trouble with credit cards, leave them at home and stick to cash.
• Stop spending when you’ve reached your budget limit.