Cheap Holiday Shopping Tips

Yes it's evident that the holidays can be expensive and time consuming but, if you start early and use the Internet to your advantage it doesn't have to be.Here are some simple tips to help you keep that bank account out of the negative (smile). *Many of the online stores offer free or discounted shipping if you spend a over a certain amount, free shipping in it's self is a huge money saver. Some stores that usually offer free or discounted shipping are around the holidays are:

Overstock, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Lane Bryant ,The Body Shop, Toys R Us 

* Stocks which are a good investment can make a great gift. I know most of you are thinking stocks, that's expensive but it's not. There are stocks that range in the $1 - $10 range for stores that most of us shop at and for activities that we do such as the movies. Two examples are Blockbuster and Imax Theatres.

* If you need to ship gifts try purchasing gifts that fit in the flat rate envelope.Gifts that can fit in U.S. Postal Service flat rate boxes and  envelopes includes gift cards, cd's, books gloves, scarves, etc. Flat rate boxes are excellent for sending gifts since you don't have to worry about calculating weight and surprising alot can fit in the box, at $7.70 a box who can beat the price. Flat rate envelopes are great for sending giftcards if you sending to more then one person in a household and are only $3.85.

* Picking specific gifts for people outside of your children and husband can also be a chore, so make it easy on yourself by purchasing gift cards to stores where there a variety of products to purchase from. Almost all major stores as well as smaller ones offer this purchase option.

* Last but not least our children should know that Christmas isn't all about gifts.A mother I no of told me in her family each child receives three gifts. She then purchases family gifts which might consist of a board game or a movie , so that while saving money she also is creating an opportunity to create family time together as well create memories.This gives the child a chance to not focus on how much they received but what they received and how to appreciate it .

Happy Christmas Shopping!