With the Christmas shopping season starting earlier with retailers this year.

I came across an article that I thought would help my readers.

Source Yahoo Finance: 7 ways to cut holiday shopping costs

I wanted to talk about some ways to save money when you go shopping early

or for Black Friday.

1.Ways to cut holiday shopping costs is to make a plan for your holiday spending.

"Deal blogger Tracie Fobes of PennyPenchinMom.com explains that it can be easy to overspend during the holidays. She not only recommends setting a limit for the holiday gifts you plan to purchase, but also believes you should set one for your food, décor and other categories."

I agree with this.  With no plan you can go over board with your spending

which can lead to piles of debt and being late your current bills.

2.  Ways to cut holiday shopping costs is to keep up with your receipts.

The article talks about the app ONE Receipt.

I have a place in my purse that I place all my receipts for the day when I go

out shopping.

It's important that you check your receipts before you leave the store.

Stores like Target or Macy's can look up your receipts if you pay with a debit

or credit card.

With Walmart however you need your original receipt.

3. Ways to cut  holiday shopping costs is to make a list.

You can use the Pinterest app to help you organize your shopping list.

Make sure as you start shopping that you check off your list so that you don't

buy duplicate gifts for the same person.

One easy thing to do is buy gift cards for gifts.

4. Ways to cut holiday shopping costs is to know the patterns of when deals

are updated.

Each store will have a certain time that they send out new ads.

You have to check the websites on a regular basis to get the current deals.

5. Ways to cut holiday shopping cost is to leave room for unanticipated deals

There will be plenty of daily deals that get emailed out each day until

Christmas.

You must sign up for emails from the stores that you plan to do your

shopping.

6. Ways to cut holiday shopping cost is to compare prices sales ads from

different stores.

You can do this online by searching for the items that you are looking for.

The article recommends the Favado app for price comparisons.

7. Ways to cut holiday shopping cost by giving and receiving gift cards.

Raise.com can be  cost-effective with  the buying and selling of gift cards.

You can save lots of money with gift cards.  Your family can buy what they

really want.

What ways to cut holiday shopping cost are you going to use???

Your Financial Coach,

Renee Lawson