The Smart Holiday Spending Guide

Everything you need to know about holiday planning, shopping and budgeting in 2021

7 Tips for Saving on Your Holiday Shopping If You Got a Late Start

It’s December, and the final countdown to Christmas has begun. If you’re just now getting around to working on your holiday shopping list, don’t panic. There are still sales to be had and gifts that don’t require expedited shipping, so you can shop on a budget without letting your friends and family know you procrastinated. Read Next: 6 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000 Consider This: Suze Orman Reveals the No. 1 Bill You Should Pay First Each Month Here are the best tips to help you save money on gifts if you’re behind on your holiday…

By Cynthia Measom

5 Ways You’re Wasting Money This Holiday Season — And How To Reign It In

By Andrew Lisa

Save For Your Future

HOLIDAY MONEY ETIQUETTE

Complete Gift Guide

Rules You Should Know

Gift Exchanges and Activities

Avoid These Questions

Unrecognizable woman holds a Christmas present wrapped in red paper and tied with a white transparent bow.

The Ultimate Holiday Etiquette Gift Guide

By Nicole Spector

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19 Unspoken Gift-Giving Etiquette Rules

By Gabrielle Olya

SEASONAL TIPPING

Save For Your Future

SMART SEASONAL BUDGETING

Woman spent all her money during Christmas shopping.

How To Shop For Everyone on a Tight Holiday Budget

If you’re one of the millions of Americans who have been struggling financially due to rising prices and interest rates, your holiday budget might be tighter than usual. New reports show that 21% of consumers making less than $50,000 a year are planning to go into debt during the holiday season. Even if you’ve been able to weather the financial storm this year, it’s still a good idea to make sure you stick to a budget to ensure the holidays don’t pile on any unnecessary debt.Holiday Spending: Get Top Holiday Shopping and Savings TipsMore: 3 Easy Tips To Turn Your…

By Gabrielle Olya

Experts Weigh In on the 10 Best Ways To Manage Holiday Spending

Even with the best of intentions, holiday spending can easily get out of control — displays abound with shiny new items that catch your eye as your browse; holiday décor and seasonal items are hard to pass up; and, of course, the expectations of holiday gift-giving may drive purchasing beyond your means, and most definitely beyond what you usually spend in any given month. But you don’t have to experience financial hardship with your holiday spending — experts weigh in on ways to manage your holiday spending for a joyful and affordable season. Explore: GOBankingRates’ Best Credit Cards for 2023More:…

By Jordan Rosenfeld

SMART SHOPPING

Cheerful young Asian woman receiving her parcel from a delivery man at home.

5 Apps That Send Alerts When The Holiday Gift You Need is Back In Stock

With supply chain issues leading to shortages on everything from microchips necessary to produce smartphones, video game consoles and televisions to clothing, sporting goods and even pet products, holiday shopping may pose extra challenges this year. POLL: How Much Will You Spend Over the Holidays Relative to Last Year? Find: How To Save Money on Shipping (Especially Around the Holidays) Of course, it’s not too late to start shopping if you haven’t already (which 52% of Americans have!). But it might take some extra time, diligence and patience to find everything on your friends’ and family members’ wish lists. And…

By Dawn Allcot

Tigard, Oregon - Nov 8, 2019 : People with carts in Costco Wholesale.

6 Holidays Purchases That You Should Only Make at Costco

Your Costco membership can help you save year-round, but it can be especially handy during the holiday season. The warehouse club has great deals on food, drinks and supplies for hosting during Christmas and New Year’s, as well as on decor and other seasonal items. When shopping for the holidays, buy these six items at Costco for the best deals.Dollar Tree: 5 High-Quality Items To Buy NowRead: If Your Credit Score Is Under 740, Make These 4 Moves Now

By Gabrielle Olya

Trader Joe's grocery store entrance with sign above the door, located in Campbell, California.

6 Little Luxuries To Buy From Trader Joe’s for Valentine’s Day

By Jamela Adam

Beautiful young Asian woman choosing Christmas gifts from the store display in shopping mall.

4 Reasons Why January Is the Best Time To Shop for Holiday Gifts

By Catherine Collins

Happy mother and son shopping their Christmas presents online using her cell phone and paying by credit card - e-commerce concepts.

8 Best Things To Buy on Boxing Day (the Day After Christmas)

By Cynthia Measom

Bedding and linens displayed inside a bedroom for stock photo.

5 Things To Buy After the Holidays That Will Actually Save You Money

By Catherine Collins

Save For Your Future

MORE ABOUT HOLIDAY SPENDING, SAVING AND BUDGETING

Why Do We Spend So Much Each Year on Holiday Shopping?

The American economy is thoroughly dependent on the hundreds of billions of dollars that change hands in the runup to the winter holidays — and a good season is one where people spend to the max. “When businesses are running, workers are working, and trade is taking place, the economy is functioning well,” said e-commerce entrepreneur Aviad Faruz, CEO of Faruzo. And boy, does it function well around Christmastime. Whether it functions as well for the people doing all that spending is another story. Here It Is: Our 2022 Small Business Spotlight The Future of Finances: Gen Z & How…

By Andrew Lisa

5 Charitable Donations To Consider as Gifts This Holiday Season

Uncle Al doesn’t need another tie. Grandma loves slippers, but her closet is overflowing with them. What to get the person who has everything this holiday season? Consider a donation to charity in the name of your family member or friend. Read: How Do You Turn Down Supporting a Charitable Cause? Learn: How To Not Overspend on Your Kids This Holiday Season The United States has more than 1.54 million charitable organizations, according to the National Philanthropic Trust. But how do you choose an organization to donate to as a gift? First, the charity should reflect the interests of the…

By Jami Farkas

The 7 Best Restaurant Gift Cards for the Holidays

If you’re trying to find gifts for the people in your life who seem to have everything or are difficult to shop for, consider a gift that just can’t go wrong: food. A hearty meal and a night out can make a better gift than some material object your friend or family member doesn’t need. Plenty of restaurants are capitalizing this holiday by offering “add-ons” or perks to make your dollars go further, as well. Here we lay out which restaurant gift cards are going to stretch the furthest. Check Out: 6 Holidays Purchases That You Should Only Make at…

By Jordan Rosenfeld

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5 Hidden Ways the WHO Exit Could Change Your Healthcare Costs

By John Schmoll

Portrait of salesman helping to woman to buy a new digital device in tech shop.

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Wooden tariffs stamp is sitting on recycled paper background.

New Timeline for $2K Dividend Check — What You Can Expect Now

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What 2026 Senior Tax Deduction Means for Social Security and Retirement Planning

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OCTOBER 15, 2016, EDISON, NJ - Donald Trump speaks at Edison New Jersey Hindu Indian-American rally for "Humanity United Against Terror".

Will Trump Replace the Income Tax? The 3 States That Would Suffer the Most

By Kerra Bolton

An older woman at home in her kitchen reading a bill that came in the mail.

Why 2026 Social Security Check May Feel Smaller Than Anticipated

By John Csiszar

(FILE) Kevin Warsh speaks during a press conference announcing the publication of the Warsh Report at the Bank of England in London, Britain, 11 December 2014 (reissued 30 January 2026).

What Trump’s Fed Chair Nominee Kevin Warsh Could Mean for Your Wallet

By Vance Cariaga

Several Social Security Cards on a US United States one hundred dollar bill $100 system of benefits for retired elderly people.

What a $460 Monthly Cut in Social Security Would Mean for Millions of Retirees

By Cynthia Measom

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How Much Could Trump’s 10% Credit Card Cap Save You?

By Jordan Rosenfeld

Florence - Circa February 2022: SNAP and EBT Accepted here sign.

Food Stamps: What To Know About SNAP Payments in February 2026

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Social Security’s Built-In Benefit Cut Is Coming — Here’s What It Means for You

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Best Long-Term Stocks To Watch or Invest In Right Now

By Rudri Bhatt Patel, CFHC™

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President Donald Trump looks on in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC on Thursday, November 6, 2025.

The Smart Holiday Spending Guide

7 Tips for Saving on Your Holiday Shopping If You Got a Late Start

5 Ways You’re Wasting Money This Holiday Season — And How To Reign It In

Save For Your Future

The Ultimate Holiday Etiquette Gift Guide

19 Unspoken Gift-Giving Etiquette Rules

Save For Your Future

How To Shop For Everyone on a Tight Holiday Budget

Experts Weigh In on the 10 Best Ways To Manage Holiday Spending

Make your money work for you

Thanks!

5 Apps That Send Alerts When The Holiday Gift You Need is Back In Stock

6 Holidays Purchases That You Should Only Make at Costco

6 Little Luxuries To Buy From Trader Joe’s for Valentine’s Day

4 Reasons Why January Is the Best Time To Shop for Holiday Gifts

8 Best Things To Buy on Boxing Day (the Day After Christmas)

5 Things To Buy After the Holidays That Will Actually Save You Money

Save For Your Future

Why Do We Spend So Much Each Year on Holiday Shopping?

5 Charitable Donations To Consider as Gifts This Holiday Season

The 7 Best Restaurant Gift Cards for the Holidays

5 Hidden Ways the WHO Exit Could Change Your Healthcare Costs

Trump’s Tariffs: How Much 6 Popular Electronics Have Increased in Price Since April 2025

New Timeline for $2K Dividend Check — What You Can Expect Now

What 2026 Senior Tax Deduction Means for Social Security and Retirement Planning

Will Trump Replace the Income Tax? The 3 States That Would Suffer the Most

Why 2026 Social Security Check May Feel Smaller Than Anticipated

What Trump’s Fed Chair Nominee Kevin Warsh Could Mean for Your Wallet

What a $460 Monthly Cut in Social Security Would Mean for Millions of Retirees

How Much Could Trump’s 10% Credit Card Cap Save You?

Food Stamps: What To Know About SNAP Payments in February 2026

Social Security’s Built-In Benefit Cut Is Coming — Here’s What It Means for You

Best Long-Term Stocks To Watch or Invest In Right Now

Can You Really Retire on Social Security Alone in 2026? An Honest Budget Breakdown

Trump’s 10% Credit Card Rate Cap Could Backfire, Expert Warns

Trump’s New ‘Board of Peace’: What Geopolitics Has To Do With Your 401(k) and Investments

The Fed Is Likely To Keep Interest Rates Steady Despite Trump Pressure — What This Means for Your Loans

Here’s How Trump’s $2K Dividend Could Impact the Cost of Cars

Warren Buffett’s Financial Plan To Eliminate America’s Debt in 5 Minutes

Foreign Tax Credit: How To Avoid Double Taxation on International Income

Trump Just Dumped His Plan To Let You Use Your 401(k) for a Down Payment: What Now?

A Government Shutdown Is Imminent – Why This One Could Hit Your Wallet Differently

Trump’s Plan for Greenland: The Expected Economic Impact on the American Middle Class in the Coming Months

Trump’s Tariffs: How the Upcoming Supreme Court Decision Will Impact the Price of Groceries

Tax Deductions and Credits Explained (2025-2026): What You Can Claim and How to Save

Recession Odds Now at 60% — 6 Things To Do With Your Money Right Now

3 Ways Trump’s Affordability Campaign Could Hurt Your Finances in 2026

3 Key Points in Trump’s Davos Speech That Will Impact Your Wallet Right Now

5 States With the Highest Federal Childcare Subsidies

Trump & Venezuela: New Foreign Policy, New Changes for Your 401(k)

Trump’s Tariffs: How the Upcoming Supreme Court Decision Will Impact the Price of Gas

Trump Proposes Change on Who Can Buy Single-Family Homes: How Could That Affect the Housing Market?

Trump’s Tariffs: How the Upcoming Supreme Court Decision Could Impact the Stock Market

In a Tariff Economy, Here’s How Much the Average Middle-Class Retiree Spends at 65, 75 and 85

Trump’s New Healthcare Plan Promises To Lower Drug Prices and Send You Money for Premiums

4 Big Shakeups That Might Be Coming to Social Security in 2026

Elon Musk Announces Change to a Tesla Fee That Could Impact Everything

How Much Richer Donald Trump Has Gotten Over the Last 5 Years?

What Will Mortgage Rates Look Like in 2026 Under the Trump Administration?

Trump’s New Prescription Plan vs. Mark Cuban’s: Experts Weigh In

Trump’s ‘Great Healthcare Plan’ Promises Lower Drug Costs — Will Your Pharmacy Bill Really Drop?

I Tracked Costco Prices Before and After Trump’s Tariffs — The Changes Surprised Me

How the Investment ‘Trump Accounts’ Could Affect Low-Income Americans

Experts Warn Consumers Could Pay More If 10% Credit Card Cap Limits Rewards and Raises Other Fees

2026 Mortgage Rates May Drop Because of This Trump Proposal — Will It Help You Buy a House?

What Trump’s Dispute with the Federal Reserve Means for Interest Rates (and You)

How To File a Tax Extension With the IRS and What to Expect

3 Ways Trump’s Credit Card Plan Could Have Major Consequences for Your Money

How Trump’s Push on Venezuela, Cuba and Greenland Could Reshape Everyday American Finances

Here’s How Trump’s Mission in Venezuela Could Impact the Upper Class

Trump Now Says $2,000 Checks Are Coming by Mid-2026: How To Plan Your Budget Now

5 Ways Tariffs Could Hit Your Wallet in 2026 — and How To Prepare

5 Biggest Benefits of Trump’s Tariffs in 2025

Here’s How Trump’s Mission in Venezuela Could Impact Gas Prices

Here’s How Trump’s Mission in Venezuela Could Impact the Stock Market

4 Everyday Items That Could Spike in Price After Trump’s Mission in Venezuela

How Trump’s Venezuela Strike May Sneak into Your Grocery Bill

I Asked ChatGPT How the Conflict With Venezuela Could Impact My Finances — Here’s What It Said

Here’s How Trump’s Mission in Venezuela Could Impact the Middle Class

5 Companies Predicting Major Price Increases Due to Tariffs in 2026