The holiday season is upon us and the spending starts.  You try and figure out what gifts you need to get and who you need to get them for.  Now too much eating and drinking is one thing but when you start charging all your gifts on your credit cards, that’s  another.
Spending more than you can afford during the holidays may seem alright in your eyes because its “The holiday season”, but a little self-discipline may assist you in keeping your purchases to a manageable limit.

Limit Your Holiday Card Purchases
Using a credit card to buy your holiday gifts may seem like a good idea but it’s only an illusion.  The illusion that you can buy more gifts than you actually can afford; how many times have you done this during the holidays.  Limit your credit cards purchases this holiday season and here is why:

• Your credit score may fall because of your high credit card balances. If you spend more than 30% of what your credit limit is, it will cause your credit score to drop.
• Using credit cards to purchase gifts end up costing you more. If you add in the finance charges and late fees if you cannot pay on time you'll pay more for your gifts than you would if you'd have paid in cash.
• Unexpected Expenses.   This might postpone your credit card payment plan and lengthening your credit card debt can rack up late fees and interest.

If you stick to a few spending rules, you can keep your holiday spending to a minimum and avoid paying for holiday gifts months after you have purchased them.

How To Avoid Holiday Debt

1. You should spend cash instead of using credit cards when you purchase holiday gifts. This allows you to avoid holiday debt all together.  One thing you can do is put aside some money from each paycheck in advance and use that money to make your holiday purchases.
2. You should set a spending limit for yourself and stick to it. This will keep you from overspending and buying over your means. Don’t go over the budget you have set.
3. You should make a list of everyone you will be buying gifts for and write down an estimate of the amount you want to spend on each even though you might feel compelled to buy more for everyone in your life. People appreciate simple and meaningful, not over expensive and useless.
4. You should avoid the "one for you, one for me" shopping mindset. If you do this you can avoid spending double the amount you would have.  Shop only for the loved ones in your life.
5. You should avoid the BIG SALE ITEMS. Often they're not really sales at all. Remember, stick to that list you created.
6. You should try and shop online first. The internet makes it easy to shop around. It also makes it harder to buy on impulse. Look for sites that offer free shipping. Since most retailers have inventory on their websites, you can decide exactly what you want to buy before going to the mall.
7. You should leave your credit cards home. Without your credit cards you will not be tempted to use them.
8. You should suggest to do a pot luck, grab bag gift exchange with your family, this can save some extra money buying only one gift instead of many for all your family members.
9. If the store you are shopping in offers free wrapping then do it.  This can save you some time and money you would have to spend on wrapping paper, tape and bows.
10. And lastly if you cannot afford it don’t buy it.

With a little planning and creative shopping this holiday season can be a joyous one for you and your family and most of all a holiday season without credit card debt tomorrow.