Save Money by Shopping Backwards

Contrary to most holiday shopping advice, I am a firm believer in shopping for the small stuff first. Most folks buy the "big stuff" first and plan to use what is left on the smaller gifts on their lists. Nine times out of ten this shopping strategy will fail! Of course we want to make sure that the most important people on our list get the most fantastic gifts, but this technique can end up costing you more on the smaller gifts (because you wait 'til the last minute and overspend), or worse, you scratch the little gifts off you list all together.

If you haven't made you gift list and prepared your holiday budget, please do that ASAP! Begin thinking of "gift themes" for gift recipients and keep your eyes open for those diamonds in the rough that you find on the clearance racks. Gifts for your ladies club, church group, children's teachers can easily come in under $10 or less with a little planning. Make a game out of it! Set a $10 budget limit and do your best to come in under budget. Then allocate all the money you save toward your larger purchases or favorite charity! Here are some tricks that I have learned to help cut my holiday giving budget in half:

• Set a spending limit for everyone on your holiday list and stick to it! As a matter of fact, challenge yourself to come in under budget!
• Only use cash! Keep a gift giving wallet with $10 cash with you at all times. You never know where you may find the perfect gift at a deep discount.
• Consider group gifts rather than individual gifts. Give one larger gift for an entire office, family or organization to enjoy. This can easily be done for under $20 if you plan ahead!
• Experiment with homemade gifts. Hone you novice baking skills in the months leading up to the holidays. Food gifts make wonderful gifts for families, the hostess, or your favorite service professional. Save a ton of money by making the cookies, dips, pies, etc. yourself!
• Save money on the wrapping by using brown paper lunch bags or recycled brown grocery bags. Jazz them up with spray glitter, raffia ribbon or a colorful yarn that you have in your craft bin.

Remember, the goal is to focus on the giving rather than the gift! Good luck and happy giving!