Jean's Blog

Keeping Your Holiday Spending In Check

Posted by Jean

rbk_cvr-lgLast week I was on Today with Stacy Morrison, editor of Redbook magazine.  We talked about things you can do to keep that holiday budget of yours under control (the first thing, of course, is to actually have a budget. If you’re not sure what the appropriate amount is for you to be spending, use my holiday budget calculator).

I bring up this segment again because I love some of the tips Redbook collected from its readers, and I wanted to share:

“I buy sets of things and break them up. Last year on QVC, Valerie Parr Hill was selling sets of holiday candles that came with gift bags, tissue, and tags. I bought a set of five and broke them up into five individual gifts.”  —Denise Gaylord, 55, New Bern, NC

“Board games make great family gifts: one gift for four people! I once gave Scrabble to a family, and they loved it because they began spending a lot more time together. Monopoly is another classic.”  —La’Tonya Hocker, 34, Bowling Green, KY

You can read the rest of the Redbook piece here.

Happy Holidays!!

COMMENTS | 2 comments so far

  1. 1

    I love this and the Redbook article is great. I always try to think of something different to give. Last year it was little wrapped jewelry boxes with a slip of paper listing things my husband and I loved about the recipient. This year, I think I’ll get crafty and make homemade ornaments.

  2. 2

    Love the jewelry box idea! I’m sure your friends and family did too. And I think homemade gifts are always appreciated. Thanks for sharing with us!


Do you have something to say?

Please post your thoughts here. Please be sure to follow the site terms of use: that is, please be honest and direct, but treat everyone with respect.

YOUR COMMENT

Newsletter

Jean tells you what the week's headlines mean for YOUR wallet.

Interested in Jean's previous newsletters?

Ask Jean a Question

New! Score Builder

Better credit in 120 days, powered by Smart Credit

New! The Debt DietTM

Become debt free on $10 a day with this online program that works with your readiness to change.

Not YOUR Parents' Money Book

I believe knowing how to manage our money is one of the most important life skills for adults - and even more important to pass on to our kids.

Money 911

A reference guide for money issues that has been carefully indexed so you can flip to the section you need and absorb the information.

Pay It Down

In this updated edition, I give you up-to-date strategies to help you get out of debt within three years.