I speak from experience when I tell you that it’s really easy to go over budget around the holidays, and I also speak from experience when I tell you the most important thing is to  set a budget and not just put everything on credit cards.

Once you’ve set a Christmas shopping budget, there are five things you need to avoid if you want to stay within that budget.

Overspending Just to Impress Someone.  You’ve finally moved away from home and have your own legit job. You want to show your parents that you’re doing well for yourself, so you blow a bunch of money on gifts. Don’t do this.

Buying Presents for Too Many People. If you’ve got a huge family like I do, it’s easy to get caught up in present buying. It isn't long before you find yourself wanting to buy gifts for every co-worker, neighbor and friend you have. But that's really not necessary, especially if you're on a budget.

Spending the Same Amount on Each of Your Kids.  It might seem fair, but the fact is, you just don't have to spend as much to make a four-year-old happy as you do with a 12-year-old. Think about that. Makes sense, right? As long as you don’t tell them, your younger kids won’t know the difference.

Forgetting to Factor the Little Things Into Your Budget.  The obvious things you budget for are the presents, the plane tickets, and any other travel expenses you might have. But a lot of people forget to factor in the little things like decorations, shipping costs, higher utility bills, and the money to cover any parties they're hosting.

Doing All Your Shopping at the Last Minute.  It can put you over-budget because it doesn't give you enough time to pick out anything thoughtful so you end up overspending to compensate. In reality, you should get your shopping done in the middle of the month so you won’t have to pay extra shipping.

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