10 Ways to Save Money During the Holidays

Here are some ways I have saved this holiday season:

1. Use gift cards received throughout the year. I try and save gift cards I receive and then use them on gifts. I also cashed out points and got gift cards for gifts too.

2. Inventory wrapping paper, decorations, etc. I was low on wrapping paper so luckily the Hallmark $5.00 coupon deal had come along at the right time and I bought four rolls for $3.26. The coupons are good until Dec.24. Be sure to check the December issues of Real Simple, Oprah, and more for the coupons. I also ran low on gift tags and I had another coupon and got a nice assortment of tags for $3.00.

3. Calm it down on baking. I did participate in a cookie exchange and that was fun, but I stuck with a basic oatmeal chocolate chip cookie recipe. It turned out great! I put the cookies in white bakery boxes (skipped buying the expensive holiday tins) and they were a hit.

4. Stock up on pantry necessities. For example, Target has had Betty Crocker cookie mixes, Betty Crocker boxed potatoes, and more at really good prices lately. Match up with coupons for more savings.

5. Shop Amazon lightning deals. Amazon offers their lightning deals through mid-December, so it’s a good time to snag some deals!

6. Taking advantage of $10 off $10 coupons. I received coupons from Kohl’s and JCPenney a few weeks ago which were $10 off $10 any item. I found (2) really nice gifts at both stores and used the coupons.

7. Spend less on stocking stuffers. I had stocked up end of Christmas sale last year and am always on the lookout for small gifts.

8. Order holiday cards early. This year I ordered my cards in October. Though it felt weird to order holiday cards before Halloween, I received an awesome Shutterfly deal in my e-mail that I had to use. I received free cards and only paid shipping.

9. Regift…creatively. That’s all I’m going to say. My family might be reading this!

10. Use printable coupons. I always check online coupons and deals before heading out to the mall!

How do you save money when shopping during the holiday season? What are your money-saving tips and tricks?

Photo courtesy of Flickr.

For great deals, freebies and more, check out Savingsmania.com. As one of the original money-saving blogs, Savingsmania.com by Diane Schmidt has been blogging and saving you money since 2003- http://www.savingsmania.com/

6 Tips for Online Holiday Shopping

The following are tips and tricks to help you with your online holiday shopping:

1. Use Amazon. Of course, when you’re talking about shopping online, one of the first names that comes to mind is Amazon. Tweeters @BlondieFromMD and @TexasHolly extolled the virtues, specifically, of Amazon Prime, which offers free two-day shipping, instant streaming movies, and other benefits, as well as the reviews available on Amazon.
   
2. Use shared shopping lists available through apps like MobileLife Family Organizer, Cozi, and DigitalFolio. @Texasholly says, “Cozi helps track your shopping list and allows calendar sharing to help keep things organized.” @DineandDish says “Cozi is my favorite family tool. It was a life changer for us!” The free DigitalFolio app automatically updates the prices of the items on your shopping list and performs comparisons across major retailers as you shop the Web.
3. Shop online by model number, says @JDNorthwest, using sites like BradsDeals and LogicBuy.
4. Plan ahead! @LaCasadeSweets says she makes a list at the beginning of the year and writes down gift ideas throughout the year.
5. Give each child on your list four presents, one from each of following categories: needed, wanted, wearable, and readable, as recommended by @EmiHill.
6. Shop Etsy.com for unique, hand-crafted gifts. @ThisEnvy says “It’s a great idea. You can always find endless unique things.”

Perhaps, armed with these ideas, I stand a chance, along with other tech-savvy but store-wary shoppers out there, of checking every item off my holiday shopping list with time to spare. One can only hope.

How do you usually shop for holiday gifts: in the stores or online? What are your favorite online shopping tips and tricks?

Photo courtesy of Flickr.

Holiday shopping can be stressful and finding the perfect gift can be time-consuming and daunting, but T-Mobile can help eliminate those worries when it comes to finding the perfect wireless gift. They can help you find the right data plans and devices according to your recipient (kid, teen, husband, adult parent, best friend), their communication style, and especially important – your budget.

T-Mobile has smartphones and mobile broadband products for everyone in the family, from first-time smartphone users to advanced technology enthusiasts. So don’t be stressed and consider giving the gift of mobile this holiday season.

Mark your calendar for Tuesday, November 8 and join us as we talk about holiday shopping tips and tricks, specifically surrounding wireless and mobile broadband as gifts.

Party Topic

Join T-Mobile and our panel of experts as we discuss holiday shopping. The party will be held on Tuesday, November 8 from 9-11 ET (8CT, 7MT, 6PT). Click here to see details about the giveaway and enter for a chance to win.

Party Details

• What: Girls’ Night Out (#gno) Twitter party (Click here to learn about #gno!)
• When: Tuesday, November 8 from 9-11 p.m. EST (8 CT, 7 MT, & 6 PT)
• Where: Party with us on our very own Custom Tweetgrid! (Use hashtags #gno and #TMobile)
• Topic: Holiday Shopping
• Who: Brand Panelist: @TMobile, Community Panelists: @DineandDish @Texasholly @sahans @Elizabeth_N @LittleTechGirl, Moderators: @jylmomIF @Dadventurous @troypattee @MomItForward
• Party Favors: Click here to enter the giveaway.
• RSVP: Use Mr. Linky below (enter the twitter URL and your twitter ID (e.g., http://twitter.com/jylmomIF).

RT @MomItForward Join the @TMobile #gno Twitter party 11/8 (9-11 ET) on holiday shopping http://bit.ly/sKa8jf #TMobile PLS RT

Note: Mom It Forward accepts paid sponsorships for most #gno Twitter parties. During the parties, brand sponsors provide tips, techniques, expert advice, and information on party topics. Mom It Forward is grateful for the giveaway prizes, coupons, and discounts that sponsors also provide to the Mom It Forward community in conjunction with #gno Twitter parties.

Photo courtesy of Flickr.

Here’s a thought: Have you ever turned to your mobile device to help you complete your holiday shopping? Why waste paper when you can use your phone to help you while you’re actually in the stores shopping. Knowing that people need assistance and organization when it comes to holiday shopping, SWAGG rolled out a mobile app that lets you shop smarter using your mobile phone – including buying, sending or swapping SWAGG gifts. In other words, holiday shopping just got easier, smarter and less stressful.

Party Topic

Join SWAGG and our panel of experts as we discuss using mobile devices and apps to shop smarter. The party will be held on Tuesday, December 21 from 9-11 ET (8CT, 7MT, 6PT). Click here to see details about the giveaway and enter for a chance to win. By the way, feel free to join our discussion on the new Mom It Forward forum to talk about using mobile devices and apps to shop smarter!

Party Details

• What: Girls’ Night Out (#gno) Twitter party (Click here to learn about #gno!)
• When: Tuesday, December 21 from 9-11 p.m. EST (8CT, 7 MT, & 6 PT)
• Where: Party with us on our very own Custom Tweetgrid! (Use hashtags #gno and #SWAGG)
• Topic: Smart shopping using mobile devices and apps
• Who: Brand Panelist: @swaggmobile, Community Panelists: @LittleTechGirl @Tech4Moms @rockinmama @CarleyKnobloch @scrappinmichele @superdumb, Moderators: @jylmomIF @Dadventurous @troypattee and @MomItForward
• Party Favors: Click here to enter for a chance to win an 11″ MacBook Air
• RSVP: Use Mr. Linky below (enter the twitter URL and your twitter ID (e.g., http://twitter.com/jylmomIF).

RT @MomItForward Join @swaggmobile #gno Twitter party Tue 12/21 (9-11 ET) 2 chat smarter shopping http://bit.ly/gzyANX PLS RT

Note: Mom It Forward accepts paid sponsorships for most #gno Twitter parties. During the parties, brand sponsors provide tips, techniques, expert advice, and information on party topics. Mom It Forward is grateful for the giveaway prizes, coupons, and discounts that sponsors also provide to the Mom It Forward community in conjunction with #gno Twitter parties.

With the app, you can also receive offers for the items that you want and, when you’re in a store and ready to pay, just show the SWAGG on your phone at checkout. It’s as easy as that. Plus, every time you download and register for the app, SWAGG will make a donation to Stand Up To Cancer. SWAGG is making shopping easier and smarter…and it’s all for a good cause. What’s not to love?

The Prize

This week’s giveaway is all about smart shopping using mobile devices and apps. One lucky winner will receive an 11-inch MacBook Air, an estimated $1,199 value.

Entry Requirements

For a chance to enter and win, please complete the following requirements and leave a separate comment for each on this post, including links to your original tweets.

1. Follow @swaggmobile on Twitter.
2. Visit the the website swagg.com, download the app and then come back to this post and let us know that you downloaded the app.
3. Tweet the following:

• RT @MomItForward Download the @swaggmobile app and #SWAGG will donate to @SU2C (Stand Up To Cancer) #gno PLS RT

• RT @MomItForward GIVEAWAY! Enter 4 chance 2 win 11” MacBook Air http://bit.ly/hMp9LT #gno #SWAGG PLS RT

Optional Entry

The following is an extra entry that is completely optional and will earn you one extra entry for this giveaway. Leave a separate comment on this post for the completed entry.

Like the SWAGG page on Facebook

Terms and Conditions

Winners will be selected randomly through http://random.org. No purchase necessary to enter. Giveaway ends at midnight ET Wednesday, December 22 See all terms and conditions here.

Tis the season to go shopping, fa la la la la.  These quick tips for hands-free, fuss-free power-shopping will keep you humming a festive tune:

Ditch the Coat

Window-shopping is one thing, but you’ve got presents to buy!  Assuming you’re not “just looking,” but rather intend to make purchases while you are out, plan your shopping around keeping your arms free.  Even if the weather is cold outside, chances are the stores will be warm.  Don your merriest of holiday layers and leave your heavy jacket in the car.  Who wants to be stuck carrying a coat when you could be filling your arms with bargains instead?

Don the Vest

The fleece vest is a serious shopper’s best friend.   It provides a layer of warmth that replaces the heavy coat you’ve left in the car and also offers zippered pockets, which can be used to store your cell phone, credit cards, and cash.  Hide your bulky purse in the car (under that big down coat) and keep all of your shopping essentials in your vest pockets.  Your arms and hands are free and you are ready to put them to good shopping use.

Disrobe with Ease

You have bargains to hunt down!  You have children who are asking to see Santa!  You don’t have time to fool around with buttons and buckles in the dressing room.  You want clothing that is easy-off and easy-on—and that still looks sharp even after multiple rounds of “see how this fits.”  Leggings are great for long shopping days—they go great with no-fuss flats, hold their shape well, and they’re comfortable. Pair them with a simple tunic and vest and go shopping in style!

Walk in Style, Not Pain

Every power shopper knows that when you get down to business there is going to be a lot of WALKING (maybe even some running).  Mall walkers get exercise there for a reason.  Ditch those heels and pretty-but-impractical shoes; now is not the time to break them in.  You don’t have to resort to the athletic or orthopedic shoes your grandparents wore. Many shoe designers these days provide so many fashionable AND comfortable shoes. Merrel is one of my favorite brands.  This company originally designed shoes for hiking and now they design for the mall-walking power shopper!  Your feet will thank you.

By Signe Whitson, LSW, is author of the blog “The Passive Aggressive Diaries“.  As a mom and family therapist for over ten years, she has learned the value of handling passive aggressive behavior with humor and productivity.  Her advice on this topic is featured in “The Angry Smile: The Psychology of Passive Aggressive Behavior in Families, Schools and Workplaces,” a book she co-authored, as well Psychology Today magazine. She partners with My Baby Clothes Boutique.

A prepaid card like the new PASS Card from American Express is a great tool to help break the ice.  PASS from American Express is a prepaid, reloadable card parents can give to teens. An alternative to debit, credit, or cash, the PASS Card eliminates the need to carry around lots of cash without overspending. Parents have full control via an online account – with the ability to load money, view transaction history, and set up alerts. If lost or stolen, the funds on the Card can be replaced. PASS serves as a safe way to provide our teens with money and teach them about responsible spending habits without detriment to credit lines or our wallets.

Party Topic

Join American Express and our panel of experts as we discuss how you can turn holiday shopping into a teachable moment to talk to your kids about money. The party will be held on Monday, November 22 from 9-11 ET (8CT, 7MT, 6PT). Click here to see details about the American Express Gift Card Giveaway and enter for a chance to win.

Party Details

• What: Girls’ Night Out (#gno) Twitter party (Click here to learn about #gno!)
• When: Monday, November 22 from 9-11 p.m. EST (8CT, 7 MT, & 6 PT)
• Where: Party with us on our very own Custom Tweetgrid! (Use hashtags #gno and #AmExPass)
• Topic: Using Holiday Shopping to Teach Kids about Spending
• Who: Brand Panelist: @vvanpetten, Community Panelists: @chaotic_barb @JennFowler @VSpotMom @bigguysmama @OrganizerSandy @CentsibleLife, Moderator(s): @jylmomIF @Dadventurous @troypattee and @MomItForward
• Party Favors: Click here to enter for a chance to win the American Express Gift Card giveaway.
• RSVP: Use Mr. Linky below (enter the twitter URL and your twitter ID (e.g., http://twitter.com/jylmomIF).

RT @MomItForward – Join @AmericanExpress #gno Twitter party on Mon 11/22 (9-11 pm ET) 2 chat kids & spending http://bit.ly/aRDmEx PLS RT

Note: Mom It Forward accepts paid sponsorships for most #gno Twitter parties. During the parties, brand sponsors provide tips, techniques, expert advice, and information on party topics. Mom It Forward is grateful for the giveaway prizes, coupons, and discounts that sponsors also provide to the Mom It Forward community in conjunction with #gno Twitter parties.

Strategies for Holiday Shopping on a Budget

Here are some strategies for making your money go farther when shopping for the holidays.

1. Compare Prices. This one step could mean the difference of a few dollars, but every dollar counts. Go to comparison sites online as well as check the sale circulars in your local Sunday paper. You do not have to pay the first price you see, but with pre-planning you can find the lowest prices and plan your shopping ahead of time.

2. Barter and Trade Services for Goods. Consider trading your service or expertise with someone who has what you need. Talk to everyone you know about your plan and ask if they know someone who would be willing to trade. If you have computer skills, you might trade cleaning up their computer in exchange for three gift baskets from a gift basket designer. The possibilities are endless.

3. Make a List of What You Want to Buy Early and Stick With a Certain Dollar Amount. Make a list, check it twice, and do it early. Planning ahead of time can save a lot of money. Have a set dollar amount to spend on each gift or for all gifts. You will stay within your budget and combined with comparing prices, you could come out with quite a few very nice gifts.

4. Agree to Limit Gift Giving to One or Two Gifts Each. How many times do we overload the kids on gifts that get broken the very same day or within a week? We even do this with other family members too. So decide to limit gift giving to just one or two gifts for the kids in your family and just one for your significant other.

5. Put Together Gift Baskets for a Family. In the spirit of limiting the gifts you give, consider giving family gift baskets to your extended family instead of individual gifts. This keeps the cost down and may foster closer family relationships. The basket could be a game or movie along with a box of popcorn, simple bowls, and matching cups from the dollar store or other discount store. Decorate it nicely and deliver on Christmas day.

Shopping for the Holidays doesn’t have to be expensive with a little pre-planning. Keep the gifts simple and limiting them are very good strategies. Try it this year and see the difference in your bank account and on the faces of your loved ones.

Prize

One lucky winner will receive a $250 Visa cash card from Whrrl.

Entry Requirements

To enter for a chance to win, you are required to do the following two things. Make sure to leave a comment here linking to each one:

1. Check out the #gno Whrrl story and leave a comment on one of the pictures, sharing what you would love to do this holiday season with $250.
2. Retweet and/or post the following two messages on Facebook and Twitter and comment here, linking to your update/post:

GIVEAWAY! Win a $250 Visa cash card just in time for the holidays! http://bit.ly/bqGNr #whrrl #gno PLS RT

Check out the 1st #gno #whrrl story! Click here 2 join, contribute 2, or view: http://whrrl.com/x/gHRYl PLS RT

Extra Entries

You can earn up to five extra entries for this week’s giveaway. Leave comments on this post, linking to each of the following:

1. Become a fan of the Whrrl Facebook page.
2. Follow @Whrrl on Twitter.
3. (Worth three extra entries!) Create a holiday-related Whrrl story—your holiday plans, a holiday tradition, what you’re dreaming of for the holidays, etc. Post a link to that story in the comments.

The Fine Print

No purchase necessary to enter. Winners will be selected randomly through http://random.org. Whrrl and Mom It Forward employees are ineligible to participate. All entries received after Sunday, November 8 at midnight PT will not be considered. Entries that do not follow all of the entry requirements will not be considered. Winners will be notified and will have 24 hours to confirm receipt of the e-mail. If they do not reply within 24 hours, another winner will be selected. Open to participants in the US and Canada 18 years and older. One entry per person.