The holiday shopping season is quickly approaching and thousands of Americans are poised to spend more than they can afford. One way to avoid this problem is to create a spending plan to limit your spending to an amount that you can afford while keeping the season happy and meaningful. Draft a plan in November and stick with it through December in order to maintain your sanity in January!

Here are a few tips to help:

• Determine how much you can afford during this holiday season.
  
  
• Find ways to cut back on expenses or increase your income by working overtime or taking a part-time job.
  
  
• Make a shopping list and set an exact dollar amount for each person on your list. Remember, it’s the thought that counts – not the price tag.
  
  
• Shop alone so you can avoid making impulse buys and instead of focus on making good selections. Many stores are slower on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
  
  
• Once you’re done with your list, stop shopping!