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 countdown to Christmas has begun. If you’ve just now gotten around to working on your holiday shopping list, don’t panic. There are still sales to be had, gifts that don’t require expedited shipping and ways to leverage cash-back deals to make the most of your holiday budget. Here are the best tips from industry experts to help you save if you’re behind on your holiday shopping. See: 6 Holidays Purchases That You Should Only Make at CostcoFor Your Shopping: The 11 Best Deals From Costco’s December Coupon Book Take Advantage of Upcoming Sale Days “Just because…

By Cynthia Measom

9 Great Secret Santa Gifts That Won’t Break the Bank

By Gabrielle Olya

DIY Gifts To Save You Big Money This Holiday Season

By Nicole Spector

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

By Andrew Lisa

Here’s How Much You Should Budget for Seasonal Tipping

By Kimberly Lankford

Save For Your Future

HOLIDAY MONEY ETIQUETTE

Complete Gift Guide

Rules You Should Know

Gift Exchanges and Activities

Avoid These Questions

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The Ultimate Holiday Etiquette Gift Guide

By Nicole Spector

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19 Unspoken Gift-Giving Etiquette Rules

By Gabrielle Olya

How Not To Be Pressured Into Seasonal Gift Exchanges and Activities You Can’t Afford

By Nicole Spector

Rude Money Questions You Shouldn’t Ask at the Holidays

By Gabrielle Olya

SEASONAL TIPPING

Save For Your Future

SMART SEASONAL BUDGETING

Shipping, Wrapping & More Extras To Account For in Your Holiday Budget

We all know the holidays can be expensive, but we tend to focus on the big-ticket items. Whether it’s gift-giving, travel or a big family meal, we know what the biggest holiday costs are in most cases. Those items will probably put the biggest dent in your wallet, but there are plenty of smaller costs we don’t always think about. And those costs can really add up. Also: 9 Biggest Deals at Costco in OctoberImportant: If Your Credit Score Is Under 740, Make These 4 Moves Now Maybe you have to ship a gift for a family member across the…

By Bob Haegele

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

How To Not Overspend on Yourself This Holiday Season

While shopping for gifts for others, it’s easy to get distracted and start buying things for yourself. And although treating yourself here and there is OK, it can become a problem when gifts for yourself start blowing your holiday budget. Learn More: Unplug These Appliances That Hike Up Your Electricity BillRead: If Your Credit Score Is Under 740, Make These 4 Moves Now Here’s how to avoid overspending on yourself this holiday season. Set a Budget for Self-Gifts Instead of making impulse purchases for yourself as you shop, plan ahead for any self-gifts. “Many people write out a gift list for…

By Gabrielle Olya

4 Budget-Friendly Digital Gifts That Don’t Need To Ship

Shopping doesn’t have to include shipping — and that’s a blessing in 2021. Inflation has been pushing up the cost of just about everything for most of the year, and much of it has to do with the soaring cost of getting things from here to there. Thanks to clogged ports, a labor shortage, surging fuel prices and a global supply chain crisis, shipping packages costs a whole lot more now than it did this time last year — and the high-pressure holiday season isn’t even here yet. Good To Know: The Ultimate Holiday Etiquette Gift Guide Check Out: Your Complete Guide…

By Andrew Lisa

25 Senior Discounts To Help Stretch the Holiday Budget

The holidays can be a notoriously expensive time between traveling to see family, buying gifts for loved ones and prepping holiday meals. Fortunately, several retailers, grocery chains, airlines and other businesses offer discounts specifically for seniors that can help make the holidays a little bit more affordable.We’ve Got You Covered: GOBankingRates’ Smart Holiday Spending GuidePrepare: Shipping, Wrapping & More Extras To Account for in Your Holiday BudgetTake advantage of these senior discounts to stretch your holiday budget.

By Gabrielle Olya

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

The Best Type of Store To Shop For Holiday Gifts by Age Bracket

Amazon is the everything store — if you can imagine it, it’s probably just a click away. But if you want to branch out — or if you just don’t want to put another dollar in Jeff Bezos’ pocket — take a little time to shop by age. GOBankingRates assembled the following guide to help you through the holiday shopping season by zeroing in on age-specific stores, sites and themes. If you’re stuck on what to get for someone you love, but you know how old that person is, read on for some ideas on where to get started. Check…

By Andrew Lisa

Smiling young couple walking through the mall after some shopping.

Costco, Amazon & Walmart Holiday Returns: Mark These Dates On Your Calendar Now To Keep Your Savings

By Jami Farkas

Costco Wholesale - Fullerton, California stock photo

The Single Best Thing To Buy at Costco This May

By Jordan Rosenfeld

Miles and Miles of shelves of no-name stationary products, candles, flowers.

8 Dollar Store Groceries To Buy When You’re Broke

By Nicole Spector

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By Heather Taylor

Save For Your Future

MORE ABOUT HOLIDAY SPENDING, SAVING AND BUDGETING

How To Not Overspend on Your Kids This Holiday Season

It’s easy to get carried away when buying gifts for your kids. After all, you want to give them a memorable and joyful holiday. However, you don’t need to buy every gift on their wishlist to be a good parent — and you especially shouldn’t do this if it will cause you to take on any debt. Here’s how to avoid overspending on your kids during the holidays. Food Stamps: What Is the Maximum SNAP EBT Benefit for 2023?Find: If Your Credit Score Is Under 740, Make These 4 Moves Now Create a Budget “It may seem like a straightforward…

By Gabrielle Olya

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 Small-Business Owners on the Importance of Shopping Small This Holiday Season

There are plenty of benefits to shopping with a small business over a big-box chain. They often provide more unique products, higher quality and better customer service. But you might not realize that shopping small isn’t just good for your own bottom line. Check Out: Where to Splurge and Where to Save on Holiday Spending Shopping Tips: Wrapping Paper, Greeting Cards and More Holiday Items to Only Buy at Dollar Stores Small businesses are often referred to as the “lifeblood of the U.S. economy.” And as the holidays approach, you have the power to ensure they remain so. Below, five small-business owners…

By Casey Bond

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

How To Save Money on Shipping (Especially Around the Holidays)

Holiday shopping and holiday shipping are hectic and expensive even in the best of times — and these are hardly the best of times. Container shortages, labor shortages, backlogged ports and ever-rising fuel prices have sent shipping costs soaring economy-wide — and the busy holiday season isn’t even here yet. If you’re on a shoestring budget, you’ll have to factor higher shipping costs into your budget while doing whatever you can to keep those costs down. Check Out: 8 Frugal Habits of the Past To Save Money TodayMore: How To Get Cash Back on Your Everyday Purchases Get Your Packages…

By Laura Beck

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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The Smart Holiday Spending Guide

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

9 Great Secret Santa Gifts That Won’t Break the Bank

DIY Gifts To Save You Big Money This Holiday Season

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

Here’s How Much You Should Budget for Seasonal Tipping

Save For Your Future

The Ultimate Holiday Etiquette Gift Guide

19 Unspoken Gift-Giving Etiquette Rules

How Not To Be Pressured Into Seasonal Gift Exchanges and Activities You Can’t Afford

Rude Money Questions You Shouldn’t Ask at the Holidays

Save For Your Future

Shipping, Wrapping & More Extras To Account For in Your Holiday Budget

How To Shop For Everyone on a Tight Holiday Budget

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

How To Not Overspend on Yourself This Holiday Season

4 Budget-Friendly Digital Gifts That Don’t Need To Ship

25 Senior Discounts To Help Stretch the Holiday Budget

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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

The Best Type of Store To Shop For Holiday Gifts by Age Bracket

Costco, Amazon & Walmart Holiday Returns: Mark These Dates On Your Calendar Now To Keep Your Savings

The Single Best Thing To Buy at Costco This May

8 Dollar Store Groceries To Buy When You’re Broke

Housing Market 2023: Early Predictions To Know Now

Save For Your Future

How To Not Overspend on Your Kids This Holiday Season

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

5 Small-Business Owners on the Importance of Shopping Small This Holiday Season

5 Charitable Donations To Consider as Gifts This Holiday Season

How To Save Money on Shipping (Especially Around the Holidays)

The 7 Best Restaurant Gift Cards for the Holidays

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