7) If a store offers free gift-wrap, go for it!  It'll save you time and money on buying wrapping paper, tape, bows, and cards and struggling with it all yourself.

8) Have willpower.  Stick to your estimates and you won't go over budget.  eBay is a wonderful shopping tool if you remember to start early enough to account for shipping time.  Find the right item, bid your budget price and leave it.  If someone outbids you, don't get into a bidding war, just bid on something else within your price range.

9) Increase your income for the season. During the holidays there are lots of ways to make a little extra money.  Many stores hire part-time workers for the holidays.  Since it is a party season, babysitting is in high demand.  Be imaginative. You could be the Official Gift Wrapper in your neighborhood and wrap gifts for friends and neighbors for a small fee.

10) Use your credit cards.  Yes!  If you stick to your budget and only spend what you are able to pay for in the next 30 days, then yes, you CAN use credit cards.  The key is to use them as you would cash.  Using your credit card is not a way to buy things you can't afford, it is a way to organize your spending and possibly get some rewards and discounts along the way.

11) Make the credit card companies compete for your business.  It may be the holidays, but you can dig in your heels and play hardball.  Call your credit card bank and tell them you won't be using their card for your holiday purchases unless they sweeten it up for you.  You want a little sugar and spice to make using that card a better deal.  You can ask for 0% interest, double your gas points or flyer miles.  Anything to make using your credit card more worthwhile.  Banks will usually be willing to strike a deal with you, so long as you try.  It can't hurt to ask.

12) Use specialized credit cards, but carefully.  Many of the stores where you will be buying your holiday gifts offer their own credit cards.  They tend to have ridiculously high interest rates.  However, they may give you discounts of 10%, 15%, sometimes even 20%!  So, you could actually go ahead and use a store credit card to make the purchases and get the discounts, since you are paying these off when the bill comes due the interest rates should not be a problem. If you do get into a pinch and can't pay them off right away, then transfer your balance to your lower-rate credit card before any interest is added to the higher-rate one.  You need to be on the ball with this trick, but it may save you money.

It is important to keep in mind that every new credit card you apply for will lower your credit score.  So if you're saving up for a mortgage or a large loan, you'll want to avoid applying for additional credit.
 
Come the start of January, your main concern is going to be getting ready for the new year, and you won't want post-holiday money troubles making things worse.  The Ghost of Christmas Past starts visiting even before you put the tree in the trash.  Be sure to have a Happy New Year by being money-wise in advance.:

(c) 2005 DebtGuru.com(r). This article may be freely distributed as long as the signature file and active link are included.

Michael G. Peterson is the Vice President of American Credit Foundation, an IRS 501 (c)(3) non-profit consumer credit counseling organization that has assisted thousands of individuals and families with their financial situations through seminars, education, counseling services, and debt management plans. For a free holiday spending guide visit http://www.debtguru.com/hbooklet.html