Holiday Savings Planning

It’s easy to overspend during the holidays. An American Express survey found its customers plan to spend approximately $1,500 this year on gifts alone.Sale doesn't always mean savings. That's why it is important to create your savings plan for the holiday season. Holidays -- once a time for family, food and gifts -- are now prime seasons of financial peril. When using credit cards to purchase items, it's easy to forget how much has been actually spent. Here we've written some guidelines to help make the holidays manageable. Visit our page here on Holiday Savings Planning for more information.

Some Suggestions to Follow:
• Decide on how much you can afford to spend
• Budget in hand, write down your shopping lists for the year
• Look at the list and see where you can cut back
• Don’t forget to include the extras when cratingyour budget
• Plan your gift buying shopping trips
• Use store’s convenient lay-a-way plan, if unable to pay for full item
• Make gifts at home: baked goods, picture collages, or arts and crafts

Additional Resources:

• Record your Holiday Gift List- Use this chart to track your purchases

• Holiday Expense Planner- this is an easy to use chart that will help you see and calculate your holiday expenses.

• Savings Planner- This calendar tool can help you stay on top of all the activities and deadlines this holiday season.  December Planner: Map out your holiday activities and events using this calendar planner.