Retailers and most consumers seem to think that just because Christmas is past we can’t use any item that was packaged for the winter season (even though winter has barely begun).  Outsmart them by purchasing items you can use now because they are winter themed instead of Christmas themed. Items that only have winter/Christmas packaging but can be used any time of year, and items like toys and batteries that are simply overstock are hard to find at good discounts. {Read More}

Your family limit is $20/person and you find a $20 gift for $5.  You feel guilty for only spending $5, but should you?  This post explains Christmas gift limits are intended to work. One trap we fall into at Christmas time is having a spending limit.  Don’t get me wrong, I think spending limits are great!  But for most of us, our understanding of these limits is warped.  We begin to feel that we must spend the limit, not matter {Read More}

I’m sure that everyone is deep into Christmas preparations this week, so for the last post in the “Ways to Save Money on Christmas” series is a round up of all my tips for saving on Christmas. Remember that a $25 limit when exchanging gifts means a $25 value. Consider giving your kids 3 gifts with a purpose instead of a whole passel of toys and gadgets. Use freezer cooking or go to meals like breakfast for dinner to avoid {Read More}

For the next few weeks on Tuesdays I’m going to bring you some tips for the Christmas season instead of homemaking tips.  My Tips for Tuesday series will return in 2012.  Last week I encouraged you to consider buying gently used toys for your kids’ Christmas presents.  You’ll most likely be taking them out of the packages before you put them under the tree anyway right?  But that probably isn’t the best idea for gifts for your older kids, electronics, {Read More}